The narrative reveals that Sylvie separated from Jim because Jim had an affair with a minor and also hit Sylvie on at least one occasion. During this time, Sylvie found herself romantically attracted both to Lukas and Filip, but she repressed these feelings.

Amy learns that Sylvie and Jim recently separated, but Amy does not know why.ĭuring the course of Amy’s investigation, the novel frequently flashes back to Sylvie’s time in Amsterdam. Amy creates a long list of suspects, including Lukas, Willem, Helena, Lukas’ friend Filip, and Sylvie’s husband Jim. Amy beings to investigate Sylvie’s disappearance, and she suspects that someone close to Sylvie may have been somehow involved-either through threats or violence-in Sylvie’s disappearance. Amy receives a strangely stiff welcome from Willem, Helena, and Lukas. Amy decides to go to Holland to look for her. Several weeks after Sylvie arrives in Holland, she goes missing. Helena has always been cruel to Sylvie, and Sylvie does not know why. Sylvie is welcomed by Willem and Lukas, but Helena is not happy to see her. In the present day, when Grandma’s health starts to decline, Sylvie goes to Holland to visit her.

The extended family consists of Ma’s cousin Helena, Helena’s husband Willem, Willem and Helena’s son Lukas, and Ma’s mother (who is referred to in the novel only as Grandma.) Sylvie lived in Holland until she was nine years old, at which time she returned to America to live with Ma and Pa. The Tans had immigrated to Holland from China. Because of their limited resources, they sent her to be raised by members of their extended family, the Tan family. Shortly after arriving in America, Ma gave birth to Sylvie. Amy and Sylvie’s parents-referred to in the novel only as Ma and Pa-are Chinese immigrants living in New York City. Sylvie is a successful businesswoman in her early thirties, and Amy is in her mid-twenties and is struggling to earn the official license that will allow her to be a teacher.

The story mainly focuses on two sisters, Sylvie lee and Amy Lee. The novel’s story takes place over a two-month period in the present-day. The following version of this book was used to create this study guide: Kwok, Jean.

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