Paper Wife

A Novel

By: Laila Ibrahim

Narrated by: Nancy Wu

From the bestselling author of Yellow Crocus comes a heart-wrenching story about finding strength in a new world.

Southern China, 1923. Desperate to secure her future, Mei Ling’s parents arrange a marriage to a widower in California. To enter the country, she must pretend to be her husband’s first wife - a paper wife.

On the perilous voyage, Mei Ling takes an orphan girl named Siew under her wing. Dreams of a better life in America give Mei Ling the strength to endure the treacherous journey and detainment on Angel Island. But when she finally reaches San Francisco, she’s met with a surprise. Her husband, Chinn Kai Li, is a houseboy, not the successful merchant he led her to believe.

Mei Ling is penniless, pregnant, and bound to a man she doesn’t know. Her fragile marriage is tested further when she discovers that Siew will likely be forced into prostitution. Desperate to rescue Siew, she must convince her husband that an orphan’s life is worth fighting for. Can Mei Ling find a way to make a real family - even if it’s built on a paper foundation?

©2018 Laila Ibrahim. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Paper Wife

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story, and I hope to find another one by Laila Ibrahim in the near future. I felt as though I had met Mei Ling and her family by the end of it. The narrator’s voice was soothing and went well with the story.

Superb writing

Paula Ibrihim has written superbly a masterpiece of a book. I enjoyed and was mesmerized by this story. Beautifully drawn believable characters whose lives are traced from China to San Francisco.

Love the book

I enjoyed the book, story and the narration so much! I can’t stop myself listening till the end of the book.

Very interesting

This was a make you think book. To see through the eyes of another greatly different culture is definitely thought provoking.

This Listen is Definitely Worth the Time

Loved this Book! Loved how the narrator appropriately changed her voice for each character. The story itself had me listening to it every chance I would get. Even choosing to take the long way home in order to enjoy just a little bit more.

entertaining

I really like the story and narrator. she made the story seen authentic. I liked that the characters story just didn't end but it went into their lives.

Pioneers on so many ways

I love historical fiction, especially this kind. I slightly remember learning about "paper" families. It is a very interesting concept and shows just how badly people wanted to come to America. It also shows how hard some were willing to work and learn to be where they were. I loved how strong the main character was in this book. I loved watching her grow and work with her husband and family. It is a lot for me to understand and wrap my head around, but I am glad to learn from what i read.

Transported me to a different time and place

a remarkable story about the Chinese culture and life as an immigrant in 1920s San Francisco.

I learned a lot

I liked this book a lot. I must admit I have not read any other books like this and new very little about Angel Island so to me this was all new and encouraged me to lookup some history. I also really liked the ending of the book.

The first two chapters I thought I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the performance of it— felt monotone, but after giving it a chance I thought Nancy Wu did a great job. I especially thought the sound of people speaking English when the main character did speak it/understand it was great.

I would recommend this book to my friends.

Hooked

Hooked from the first chapter - well told. 1920s Chinese immigration to the US and the rags to riches story of an immigrant family. Protect your family at any cost - one of the best illustrations I have seen. The narration brings the characters to life. Recommended!