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If you fell in love as a child, will your love grow up together with you?
Chen Kehuan starts his life from the scratch again: new country, new language, new school... But he doesn’t belong in this foreign city, and with no friends and no family to speak of, he doesn’t care much about anyone. Until one day a carefree street child appears on his path.
Little Niki wanders around the city, playing on her own, making things out of nothing, and talking to strangers on a whim. She’s managed to stay out of harm’s way so far, but how long will the good luck hold? She needs someone who would look after her, and though Kehuan seems an unlikely candidate for the job, soon the strange pair becomes inseparable, and both their lives start to change in unpredictable ways. But then a tragedy strikes, and Niki’s world suddenly falls apart. The girl disappears without a trace, and when Kehuan meets her again, she’s not the same sunny creature anymore. Can they find a way to make it together through the catastrophe…and growing up? |
Readers' opinions
In "The Trouble with Belonging" the writer explores a great variety of issues, like ‘belongingness’, alienation, loss, disillusionment, friendship, love, possessiveness, acceptance, rejection, racism, to name but a few, with great sensitivity and mastery of the narrative technique. ~ Goodreads * * * * *
,,The Trouble with Belonging" truly moved my heart. This book made me more conscious about my own emotions and why I feel them and I'm really grateful for that. ~ Goodreads * * * * *
A very insightful journey into the challenges of becoming your own person among the whims of life. (...) Love the style of writing, especially the subtle changes in tone and literary register depending on the point of narration. ~ Goodreads * * * * *
I really loved this book! Characters were very interesting and each of them had their own story. The book provoked so many thoughts: I felt happy, sad, angry, frustrated… sometimes all of them at the same time! ~ Goodreads * * * * *
A thought-provoking, engaging, and emotional read... ~ Goodreads * * * * *
editorial reviews
"I love this story that is simple yet so profound. (...) They say family isn't always made of blood. Some families are made by bond. And this is also a major theme of the story. The angst of the characters and storyline aren't overdone, the dialogue is natural and believable, and Stanhoff knows how to use sentimentality in just the right places without being saccharin. (...) The pace is perfect, and the notes of friendship and belonging ring out strongly." ~ Readers' Favorite
"Stanhoff creates a wonderfully evocative tale of two children whose connections turn their lives upside down in unexpected ways. (...)
Readers looking for novels replete in cultural experiences, identification, and social inspection will find "The Trouble with Belonging" compelling, warming, and thought-provoking, all in one." ~ D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
Readers looking for novels replete in cultural experiences, identification, and social inspection will find "The Trouble with Belonging" compelling, warming, and thought-provoking, all in one." ~ D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
"The author did a marvellous job with the characters portrayal. (...) Good plot and straightforward writing style are bound to keep you engaged till the end. If you are looking for some mood lifting multicultural romance with well paced narrative then definitely go for this book." ~ Jagriti Paul, book blogger
"An evocative book exploring compelling themes of human nature and the need for connection. It’s a vivid and raw story of the realities of growing up as an outcast and learning to navigate life with a sense of purpose and belonging. Readers will be captivated by its down-to-earth and engaging story of turbulent teenage love, loss, and identity." ~ Literary Titan
"What I especially liked is that this is a story about love and friendship. (...) Stanhoff shows that as long as the constructs that society develops to frame us do not drive us or are not given importance; that we view individuals for who they are not what they represent, then there are no real barriers." ~ Reedsy Discovery
"Students in international schools or anyone who underwent other forms of cultural assimilation in their youth may especially enjoy this novel." ~ The US Review of Books
