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Author | Jenny Xie |
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Audio read by | Annie Q. |
Language | English |
Genre | Literary fiction |
Publisher | Riverhead Books |
Publication date | June 20, 2023 |
Publication place | United States |
ISBN | 9780593539705 |
Holding Pattern is a 2023 debut novel written by Jenny Xie. [1] The novel explores themes of immigration, belonging, mother-daughter relationships, and the diverse ways people learn to support one another.
Holding Pattern follows 28-year-old Kathleen Cheng, a doctoral student who drops out of school and moves back home after her engagement breaks. Her mother, Marissa, immigrated from China and has a surprising new love interest. As Kathleen gets involved in helping her mother plan her wedding to a tech entrepreneur, she also takes on a job at an unconventional start-up. Throughout this process, Kathleen and Marissa explore their shared history, leading to a profound understanding of how they can support each other in their personal growth while also recognizing the obstacles that unknowingly held them back in their relationship. [2] [3]
Holding Pattern was well-received by critics.
NPR's Manuela López Restrepo highlighted how "the novel touches on the commodification of intimacy, when Kathleen takes work as a professional cuddler, and the cultural boundaries that make her mother hesitant to accept this line of work." [4]
Tammy Tarng, writing for The New York Times Book Review, called the novel "exquisite and wise" [5] while Publishers Weekly referred to it as "funny and sharp". [6]
Kirkus Reviews called the novel "an engaging and heartwarming story," writing, "Xie is a deft chronicler of the ways power shifts between people. What emerges is a novel offering a lucid examination of a range of relationships: those between a mother and daughter, old friends, and more passing acquaintances". [7]
Booklist's Sabrina Szos similarly highlighted how Holding Pattern "is full of mother-daughter emotions and beautiful moments of love and light". [8]
Sarah Neilson, writing for Shondaland, said, "Xie is a brilliant writer, taking the reader inside Kathleen’s world while also exploring the notion of identity and home in late-stage capitalist America". Neilson further noted that the "characters are hard not to get attached to". [9] Alta's Eva Recinos further noted that "Xie crafts a complex mother-daughter relationship, exploring the muddiness of care and connection between two very different people." [10]
Booklist also reviewed the audiobook narrated by Annie Q. [11]