Review: Family Trust

Family Trust

Kathy Wang

When Stanley Huang learns he has cancer he is determined to have his family near until the end. That's not a problem with his second wife, Mary. She seems content to serve Stanley's every need, especially since he has promised to look after her even when he's gone. Ex-wife Linda is another problem altogether. Linda divorced Stanley years ago, even though it wasn't the ideal solution to her marriage in the eyes of her Taiwanese-American circle. And while Linda wants to make sure Stanley has made his will in favor of his children, she has no interest in spending any more time with him than she has to. And why would she when she'd just discovered the joys of internet dating at 70.

Stanley's two grown children, Kate and Fred are busy with their careers. Kate has her own family, which includes two young children and a wayward husband, to deal with. All of which makes it difficult for them to look after Stanley the way he would like. But as Stanley's illness deteriorates they will have to find the time to sort out his affairs if they want to have an inheritance. The Huang family dynamics will be challenged and changed by the death of Stanley but not necessarily in the way they had imagined.

Family Trust is the intricate portrait of an Asian-American family, trying to create a life that reflects the American dream. But like in most families there will be love, joy, disappointment, and sorrow. And in the case of the Huang family, maybe there will be some money as well. A well-observed tale. I almost hated for it to end.

Thanks to LibraryThing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.