Interracial couple navigates love despite cultural differences in new novel

In the United States, Weike Wang's novel unfolds through the relationship of an interracial couple, Nate and Keru. They meet during a Halloween party at Yale and eventually marry despite their contrasting backgrounds. Nate, a first-generation college student with Appalachian roots, finds himself matched with Keru, who immigrated from China with her parents. Five years into their marriage, they invite their parents to stay at their beach house in Cape Cod. However, the visit turns into chaos, exposing family prejudices and leading to struggles in their relationship. The couple faces additional challenges, such as Nate's anxiety diagnosis and their interactions with nosy neighbors during a rental trip in the Catskills, as they try to navigate their unique familial dynamics in a humorous yet profound manner. Wang's novel blends humor, family dysfunction, and an exploration of cultural differences in the context of a divided society, reflecting on modern issues in an engaging style that captivates readers while offering deeper commentary on the complexities of marriage and identity.