White Ivy
Fiction
Simon & Schuster
November 3, 2020
Hardcover
368
Purchased
Ivy Lin is a thief and a liar—but you’d never know it by looking at her. Raised outside of Boston, she is taught how to pilfer items from yard sales and second-hand shops by her immigrant grandmother. Thieving allows Ivy to accumulate the trappings of a suburban teen—and, most importantly, to attract the attention of Gideon Speyer, the golden boy of a wealthy political family. But when Ivy’s mother discovers her trespasses, punishment is swift and Ivy is sent to China, where her dream instantly evaporates.
Years later, Ivy has grown into a poised yet restless young woman, haunted by her conflicting feelings about her upbringing and her family. Back in Boston, when she bumps into Sylvia Speyer, Gideon’s sister, a reconnection with Gideon seems not only inevitable—it feels like fate.
Slowly, Ivy sinks her claws into Gideon and the entire Speyer clan by attending fancy dinners and weekend getaways to the Cape. But just as Ivy is about to have everything she’s ever wanted, a ghost from her past resurfaces, threatening the nearly perfect life she’s worked so hard to build.
Filled with surprising twists and offering sharp insights into the immigrant experience, White Ivy is both a love triangle and a coming-of-age story, as well as a glimpse into the dark side of a woman who yearns for success at any cost.
My review:
It's hard to believe this is a debut novel because the writing is masterful. Literally none of the characters is particularly likable, yet it kept me immersed in the story throughout the entire book. We follow Ivy from childhood, where she learns how to set her sights on what she wants and get them. Some of this is immediate, and some she waits years to achieve. There were a lot of moving parts to this one. First and foremost was the desire that Ivy had for the rich and powerful lifestyle. Also we had Ivy's relationship with her mother and grandmother, the immigrant experience, and lots of deception. Being that I am not Asian, I can't really address this properly, but I do wonder if there are a few stereotypes cast that may bother some readers? For me it was not an issue, but something to be aware of particularly if you are of Asian descent. Ivy is a complex character, and while I didn't love her, I certainly enjoyed going along on her journey.
Not a lot, if any, characters to like in this one, but such a well written and crafted story! Definitely a slow burn, and somewhat dark, but a satisfying novel from start to finish.
