Paper Names: A Novel

Written by Susie Luo

Narrated by Austin Ku

*A Publishers Lunch Buzz Book​*

An unexpected act of violence brings together a Chinese-American family and a wealthy white lawyer in this propulsive and sweeping story of family, identity and the American experience—for fans of Jean Kwok, Mary Beth Keane and Naima Coster.

Set in New York and China over three decades, Paper Names explores what it means to be American from three different perspectives. There’s Tony, a Chinese-born engineer turned Manhattan doorman, who immigrated to the United States to give his family a better life. His daughter, Tammy, who we meet at age nine and follow through adulthood, and who grapples with the expectations of a first generation American and her own personal desires. Finally, there’s Oliver, a handsome white lawyer with a dark family secret and who lives in the building where Tony works. A violent attack causes their lives to intertwine in ways that will change them forever.

Taut, panoramic and powerful, debut novelist Susie Luo's Paper Names is an unforgettable story about the long shadows of our parents, the ripple effect of our decisions and the ways in which our love transcends difference.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harlequin Audio
• Release date: May 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9781488228070

Susie Luo

Susie Luo is a writer based in New York. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell Law School. She wrote at night while working as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs. Paper Names is her first book.

Reviews for Paper Names

[Sandy Benemerito Bailey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A brilliant, humorous, and poignant story of a family of Chinese immigrants and their endeavor to build a better life for them and their daughter in America. Great choice to read for May (AAPI heritage Month)

[memechel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A surprising hit for a finicky reader like me. It was real and emotional warranting a pause after completion for reflection on what it meant to me to be American.

[Adaobi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Acutely aware of the immigrant experience. Quick read and fascinating story line complex characters loved it