Crystal Z. Lee – Love and Other Moods
#OwnVoices
Crystal Z. Lee’s debut novel, Love and Other Moods, is taken from the pages of her life. Set in modern-day Shanghai, China – a metropolis that rivals all others globally – the protagonist, Naomi Kita-Fan, becomes part of its aura. When her fiancé was transferred there for his job, she uprooted her life in New York to live with him. As Naomi is implementing her plans in Shanghai, she discovers her fiancé is cheating on her. Soon after confronting him, she is without a boyfriend, a place to live, and a job. However, instead of leaving Shanghai, Naomi finds a studio apartment with a sleep sofa and begins the process of earning a living.
The story progresses with the intermingling of other characters whose lives are just as fascinating as Naomi’s. They are socialites, seducers, and harborers of secrets. As hungry corporate employees and entrepreneurs, they work hard and play hard. In a city filled with ex-pats and young people freely exploring, older natives, on the other hand, struggle with the ever-changing faces of their city.
A coming of age story, Love and Other Moods expresses the feelings of its cast of seekers:
We’re third culture kids – we may look like we’re from China, yet this country is foreign to us. We have heritage here, yet we were born and raised in somewhere else entirely: Singapore, Santiago, Taipei, Penang, Honolulu, Melbourne, Milan, Manila. Then we had left home and received our education on another continent, in cities like Vancouver, Vienna, Boston, Sao Paulo, Tokyo, Cape Town. In our adulthood we grew weary of the glass ceiling, of being the minority, so some of us decided to try our luck back east. Some of us have always had questions about our history, and now we came to Shanghai for the answers, for the search, for our roots, our reason, our identity. We came to see if we too, could claim the city as our own.
Since her childhood in Taiwan, Crystal Z. Lee’s life stories accumulated in her mind and patiently waited to be shared. When she was 13, her family moved to the United States. Unfortunately, her adolescence and college experience included unforgettable racist words against her; however, Crystal persisted – even after a manager told her she wasn’t good enough while in Shanghai. The manager was proven wrong as Crystal succeeded. With an extensive and high-ranking public relations background, Crystal Z. Lee has called many places home. In addition to Shanghai, she’s lived in Taipei, New York, and the San Francisco Bay Area, which along with her life experiences, provided a mecca for Love and Other Moods. Readers invest their emotions in the love stories. They salivate over Crystal Z. Lee’s nurtured Shanghainese food descriptions and her vivid images the city. Past visitors reminisce while reading, comparing their love of Shanghai with Crystal’s.
Life has changed for Crystal Z. Lee since her days in Shanghai and the other metropolises. A perusal of her Instagram account will capture your attention with lively family photos and their many adventures. Crystal and her husband celebrate traditional American and Chinese holidays, and a bilingual home will provide their two young daughters with extraordinary opportunities. Also included on her IG account are snippets from Love and other Moods, throwback photos of Crystal’s travels, “bookstagram” photos (what Crystal is reading or interested in reading), and socially conscious thoughts.
As an admirer of renowned author Eileen Chang (1920-1995) who was instrumental in her love of writing, Crystal Z. Lee wishes writers the spirit of “not giving up” and fulfillment in getting characters onto the page. Kirkus Reviews could be in their future, too.
(Kirkus Review of Love and Other Moods)
Exciting news: Crystal Z. Lee has published her first children’s book, A Unicorn Named Rin. Set in China, it features mystical lands with magical animals! Beautifully illustrated, this entertaining story highlights empathy, kindness, and teamwork. Chinese culture, history, and geography make it a must in any child\’s library.
Crystal, what a stunning postcard! I can only imagine the experience of a visit to Shanghai. I love your note that summarizes your time there and your inspiration for Love and Other Moods. Thank you for sending it for my collection! 🙂
~Anita~