Transoceanic Lights

2016 National Book Foundation ‘5 Under 35 Award’ Winner

Leapfrog Fiction Contest Semifinalist

Asheville Award Finalist

Willow Books Literature Award Finalist

TRANSOCEANIC LIGHTS chronicles the hardships of a Chinese family after immigrating to the US. The overbearing mother must reconcile the immensity of her sacrifice in the midst of a deteriorating marriage. Her only solace is the distant promise of a better life for her son, who spends his days in school longing for the comfort of his homeland. This is a novel about familial love and discord, the strains of displacement, and the elusive nature of the American Dream.

"S. Li is a singular contribution to the immigrant narrative and a necessary new voice to the growing genre of Asian American literature.” —SAMPAN

"The novel has a strong autobiographical flavor.” —Kirkus