The Majesties

A Novel

By: Tiffany Tsao

Narrated by: Nancy Wu

In this “bold and dramatic portrayal of characters on the cusp of an impossible choice” (Publishers Weekly), two sisters from a wealthy Chinese-Indonesian family grapple with secrets and betrayal after one of them poisons their entire family.

Gwendolyn and Estella have always been as close as sisters can be. Growing up in a wealthy, eminent, and sometimes deceitful family, they’ve relied on each other for support and confidence. But now Gwendolyn is lying in a coma, the sole survivor of Estella’s poisoning of their whole clan.

As Gwendolyn struggles to regain consciousness, she desperately retraces her memories, trying to uncover the moment that led to this shocking act. Was it their aunt’s mysterious death at sea? Estella’s unhappy marriage to a dangerously brutish man? Or were the shifting loyalties and unspoken resentments at the heart of their opulent world too much to bear? Can Gwendolyn, at last, confront the carefully buried mysteries in their family’s past and the truth about who she and her sister really are?

Traveling from the luxurious world of the rich and powerful in Indonesia to the most spectacular shows at Paris Fashion Week, from the sunny coasts of California to the melting pot of Melbourne’s university scene, The Majesties “is a thrilling, tender page-turner” (Krys Lee, author of Drifting House) as well as “a sobering look at the dark side of extreme wealth” (Kirkus Reviews).

©2020 Tiffany Tsao (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

"Well paced by an expert narrator, this roller-coaster story intrigues and entertains." (AudioFile Magazine)

Good

Enjoyed this book, but did not quite understand the ending. Interesting twists and turns though.

A Must Listen

The Majesties is a novel about messy relationships, expectations, secrets, jealousy within a family. It is also a reflection on the abrasive class struggle between the opulently rich and the proletariat. Dark and layered, this story will keep you hooked from start to finish. Tsao is a writer to watch out for. With Nancy Wu's brilliant narration The Majesties will remain with you long after you've listened to it.

Cultural insightful

Pros:
“when your sister murders 300 people you can’t help but wonder why, especially if you were one of the intended victims …” First novel line immediately grabbed me and held attention throughout book! Listened as a part of “Read around the world challenge”. Overall enjoyed storytelling.

tidbit of culture reference illumined Chinese-Indonesian experience. For example, describing Chinese experience, in America vs Indonesia.


Cons: Voice between characters were inconsistent. Narrator wasn’t ideal fit for story. Ending was predicated but elegant writing.

Loved it.

So, I’ve been long overdue on writing this review, and I’m actually glad. My esteem for this book and Tiffany Tsao’s writing, considerable at the time I finished The Majesties, has only grown over the intervening few weeks, as I’ve found myself thinking of/remembering Gwendolyn and Estella.

I’d go so far as to venture that you not read any reviews of this book (including mine!) and take it for what it is, a great story about the Sulinado family and its pressures, influences, experiences and rancor. Going in with any preconceived notions of books to which it is or is not akin does a disservice to The Majesties, the comparison books and the reading itself.

Tiffany deftly paints a portrait of not only the families at issue, but her spot-on description (of at least the California locations and milieus) brings the story to life in vivid color. I thoroughly enjoyed those aspects, which served to add rich context and propel the novel. (Short aside, a propos of nothing: shout out to Tiffany Tsao for referring to Interstate 405 as “the 405,” as any Southern Californian would.)

Finally, a note on the audiobook. I’ve listened to Nancy Wu narrate multiple great books, and she is a consummate pro. As I wrote following my experience listening to her narrate this great roller-coaster mystery, “I can unequivocally say that I would listen to Nancy Wu narrate anything. Sign me up for crop reports & weather patterns, it doesn't matter. She is THAT good.” Nancy is the exceptional narrator that you will search out and buy books that she narrates BECAUSE she narrates them. Putting works of art like The Majesties (pun intended) into her hands just heightens the awesomeness.

Fabulous!!!

I read the book, and a year later I listened to the audible. Amazing voice performance! Great story!