Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune | CBC Books - Action News
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Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune

A novel by Roselle Lim.

Roselle Lim

At the news of her mother's death, Natalie Tan returns home. The two women hadn't spoken since Natalie left in anger seven years ago, when her mother refused to support her chosen career as a chef. Natalie is shocked to discover the vibrant neighborhood of San Francisco's Chinatown that she remembers from her childhood is fading, with businesses failing and families moving out. She's even more surprised to learn she has inherited her grandmother's restaurant.

The neighborhood seer reads the restaurant's fortune in the leaves: Natalie must cook three recipes from her grandmother's cookbook to aid her struggling neighbours before the restaurant will succeed. Unfortunately, Natalie has no desire to help them try to turn things around she resents the local shopkeepers for leaving her alone to take care of her agoraphobic mother when she was growing up. But with the support of a surprising new friend and a budding romance, Natalie starts to realize that maybe her neighbours really have been there for her all along. (From Berkley)

From the book

A horned lark perched on the concrete balcony outside my window, framed against the colorful paifang of Montreal's Chinatown. Ma-ma who shared my love of birds, would have gasped at the sight of it. It was so still, I could study it closely: in the morning sun of steamy hot July, the smudge of gold on its throat seemed to have been created by a paint-dipped fingertip, and the dark markings along its collar, cheek, and crown inked by a calligraphy brush.

The lark stared back, its tiny black eyes studying me before it serenaded me. The melody transitioned from an ordinary song to one that was haunting and familiar: "Sono andati?"

My admiration of the feathered visitor turned to dread. Every person had a song humming under their skin to the beat of their heart. "Sono andati?" was my mother's the only reason I'd hear it now was if... I lurched to my feet and shooed the messenger from my ledge before turning my back on the window, refusing to listen.


FromNatalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortuneby Roselle Lim 2019. Published by Berkley.