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Rental House
From the award-winning author of Chemistry, a sharp-witted, insightful novel about a marriage as seen through the lens of two family vacations
Keru and Nate are college sweethearts who marry despite their family differences: Keru’s strict, Chinese, immigrant parents demand perfection (“To use a dishwasher is to admit defeat,” says her father), while Nate’s rural, white, working-class family distrusts his intellectual ambitions and his “foreign” wife.
Some years into their marriage, the couple invites their families on vacation. At a Cape Cod beach house, and later at a luxury Catskills bungalow, Keru, Nate, and their giant sheepdog navigate visits from in-laws and unexpected guests, all while wondering if they have what it takes to answer the big questions: How do you cope when your spouse and your family of origin clash? How many people (and dogs) make a family? And when the pack starts to disintegrate, what can you do to shepherd everyone back together?
With her “wry, wise, and simply spectacular” style (People) and “hilarious deadpan that recalls Gish Jen and Nora Ephron” (O, The Oprah Magazine), Weike Wang offers a portrait of family that is equally witty, incisive, and tender.
Keru and Nate are college sweethearts who marry despite their family differences: Keru’s strict, Chinese, immigrant parents demand perfection (“To use a dishwasher is to admit defeat,” says her father), while Nate’s rural, white, working-class family distrusts his intellectual ambitions and his “foreign” wife.
Some years into their marriage, the couple invites their families on vacation. At a Cape Cod beach house, and later at a luxury Catskills bungalow, Keru, Nate, and their giant sheepdog navigate visits from in-laws and unexpected guests, all while wondering if they have what it takes to answer the big questions: How do you cope when your spouse and your family of origin clash? How many people (and dogs) make a family? And when the pack starts to disintegrate, what can you do to shepherd everyone back together?
With her “wry, wise, and simply spectacular” style (People) and “hilarious deadpan that recalls Gish Jen and Nora Ephron” (O, The Oprah Magazine), Weike Wang offers a portrait of family that is equally witty, incisive, and tender.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published December 3, 2024
About the author
Weike Wang
10 books1,160 followersWeike Wang is a graduate of Harvard University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry and her doctorate in public health. She received her MFA from Boston University. Her fiction has been published in or is forthcoming from Alaska Quarterly Review, Glimmer Train, The Journal, Ploughshares, Redivider, and SmokeLong Quarterly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
April 19, 2024
This is an odd little novel with an odd (compelling) protagonist. It’s the story of Keru and Nate, a married couple, and two vacations with their families in rental houses. It’s so very wry and subtle an an interesting way to create a portrait of a marriage. I’m curious to see wha others will think about this novel.
November 21, 2024
i'll never get tired of reading lit fic about weirdos
(review to come / thank you to the publisher for the arc!)
(review to come / thank you to the publisher for the arc!)
August 25, 2024
Weike Wang is becoming one of those authors I like spending time with. I settle in with her books, I get comfortable, I know I will enjoy my stay.
Keru and Nate have been together since college. He is a professor, she is a consultant. He comes from a small Appalachian town where he never fit in. She is an immigrant who never fit in. They work as a couple, though they have been together long enough that we see the cracks that have formed from small divisions growing over time. They have been together long enough that their love is more assumption than action. They work a lot, they have no children, and their lives have taken on a flatness they don't know if they like or not.
We see them over two vacations, five years apart. And each time their vacation is intruded on by others, mostly by their own families. Both Keru and Nate have strained relationships with their parents in different ways, and they also struggle to relate to their in-laws. Their families are probably the biggest pressure on them individually, but also as a couple. And watching the two of them navigate these visits is both cringey and relatable.
It's mostly a quiet book, but one I couldn't stop reading. I like the strange little details, the way Keru throws things at pivotal moments, the constant taking pillows on and off the couch. The book is quite evenly split between the two of them, and they both feel fully drawn. This isn't really about going anywhere or seeing any big change, and that was fine with me.
I like the way Wang's work explores the lives of women who are variations on a theme. Daughters of Chinese immigrants, women driven to succeed, women who do not fit the mold of their parents' expectations or the American culture around them. They may have similar character sketches, and the stories around them explore similar themes, and yet they all feel quite different. I love that we see so much that can open up even in what others may consider a limited scope.
I mostly wish her books were longer because I so enjoy how lived in they are. The sharp eye for detail, the real consideration of relationships. Here in particular there is so much about what we may owe our parents, when do things cross the line, what is the goal of a relationship with people who do not understand you. Nate's family in particular pretends to play-act that everything is great, which Keru struggles to do. And Keru's family is so blunt that even Nate's Chinese lessons haven't done much to ingratiate him. Keru and Nate may come off as prickly sometimes but they both really struggle with the obligation to their families and the difficulty that comes from interacting with them. And yet they continue to try, continue to reach out, continue to support the families that don't support them. It isn't a book that wants everyone to get along or one that minimizes the pain parents can inflict. This is a tricky subject for me, but I never felt like Wang was being too optimistic or too harsh, it just felt right on.
Keru and Nate have been together since college. He is a professor, she is a consultant. He comes from a small Appalachian town where he never fit in. She is an immigrant who never fit in. They work as a couple, though they have been together long enough that we see the cracks that have formed from small divisions growing over time. They have been together long enough that their love is more assumption than action. They work a lot, they have no children, and their lives have taken on a flatness they don't know if they like or not.
We see them over two vacations, five years apart. And each time their vacation is intruded on by others, mostly by their own families. Both Keru and Nate have strained relationships with their parents in different ways, and they also struggle to relate to their in-laws. Their families are probably the biggest pressure on them individually, but also as a couple. And watching the two of them navigate these visits is both cringey and relatable.
It's mostly a quiet book, but one I couldn't stop reading. I like the strange little details, the way Keru throws things at pivotal moments, the constant taking pillows on and off the couch. The book is quite evenly split between the two of them, and they both feel fully drawn. This isn't really about going anywhere or seeing any big change, and that was fine with me.
I like the way Wang's work explores the lives of women who are variations on a theme. Daughters of Chinese immigrants, women driven to succeed, women who do not fit the mold of their parents' expectations or the American culture around them. They may have similar character sketches, and the stories around them explore similar themes, and yet they all feel quite different. I love that we see so much that can open up even in what others may consider a limited scope.
I mostly wish her books were longer because I so enjoy how lived in they are. The sharp eye for detail, the real consideration of relationships. Here in particular there is so much about what we may owe our parents, when do things cross the line, what is the goal of a relationship with people who do not understand you. Nate's family in particular pretends to play-act that everything is great, which Keru struggles to do. And Keru's family is so blunt that even Nate's Chinese lessons haven't done much to ingratiate him. Keru and Nate may come off as prickly sometimes but they both really struggle with the obligation to their families and the difficulty that comes from interacting with them. And yet they continue to try, continue to reach out, continue to support the families that don't support them. It isn't a book that wants everyone to get along or one that minimizes the pain parents can inflict. This is a tricky subject for me, but I never felt like Wang was being too optimistic or too harsh, it just felt right on.
December 17, 2024
I absolutely loved Weike Wang's "Joan is Okay" and looked forward to this audiobook. A number of people really enjoyed this-- I just never connected to its humor or insight.
October 24, 2024
I was excited to read this book and try an author I've never read before. I received this book through the Riverhead Reader Program. Unfortunately, I do not understand any appeal for it. I found this book extremely dry, monotone, flat, and full of 'telling' not 'showing'. What was the point of anything in this book? Was I supposed to care about any of the characters? Hopefully other people enjoy it, but it's not for me.
December 10, 2024
This novella by Weike Wang features a married couple and gives a snapshot of their lives together. Keru is a Chinese-American woman, who was raised as an only child by parents emigrating to the U.S. She is super-bright, ambitious and works as a highly paid business consultant. Nathan was raised in a small, Appalachaian town by working-class parents. He is estranged from his brother, who has gotten into trouble with the law. Nathan likes his work as a biology professor at a small college and is not ambitious. The couple has decided against having children and instead, dote on their large sheepdog.
Wang seems to enjoy writing about quirky people. The characters in her new book are no exception. Keru, for example, has a problem with rage. She releases it periodically, by throwing random objects (whatever is handy will do). She threw a big rock at a woman on the beach, who offended her.
Wang's characters are utterly believable. She has written a portrait of a dysfunctional yet functioning family. I read the book quickly, enjoying it. My only quibble is about how unhappy the characters are.
Wang seems to enjoy writing about quirky people. The characters in her new book are no exception. Keru, for example, has a problem with rage. She releases it periodically, by throwing random objects (whatever is handy will do). She threw a big rock at a woman on the beach, who offended her.
Wang's characters are utterly believable. She has written a portrait of a dysfunctional yet functioning family. I read the book quickly, enjoying it. My only quibble is about how unhappy the characters are.
December 6, 2024
This is my third Weike Wang book and I just love her snark, humor, sarcasm and general millennial observations on all things. Whether you're reading or listening, it's something you feel smarter for afterward. I can't decide if Joan Is Okay or Rental House is my favorite, but no matter what book you choose, you can't go wrong.
Thank you to Riverhead Books for the gifted copy and prhaudio for the gifted audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: 12/03/2024
Review Date: 12/06/2024
Thank you to Riverhead Books for the gifted copy and prhaudio for the gifted audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: 12/03/2024
Review Date: 12/06/2024
December 13, 2024
Rental House is the story of a biracial couple told through two different vacations set five years apart. Keru comes from a strict set of Chinese immigrant parents and Nate comes from a rural working class white couple and both sets of parents visit them at some point while they are staying at vacation rental #1. Vacation #2 brings about two other sets of guests and we get to see all the idiosyncrasies emerge due to this brilliant set up.
The role of an expat v an immigrant. The role of a daughter v a wife. Navigating an Ivy League as a white male v Asian woman. Joining a family v that person joining yours. Aggrevation v amazement at the same behavior. The push to assimilate v the pull of not. To drink or not to drink the "kool aid". And what happens when you are forced to grapple with all of this on "vacation". What is owed inherently vs what needs to be earned. There is so much being explored here, but not once did this ever feel like I was reading about these specific issues. I was reading a poignant, sometimes funny, sometimes piercing family story of two people navigating life with all that it brings with it.
This was so sharp. It is fairly quiet as this DINK couple navigates life while reckoning with what they need their future to be. Despite its quiet, I couldn't stop flipping these pages because Wang's format so brilliantly brings out so much to marvel at. Her acute observations on so many layers of identity cemented this as a huge win for me. Highly recommend fitting this short book in before the end of 2024!
The role of an expat v an immigrant. The role of a daughter v a wife. Navigating an Ivy League as a white male v Asian woman. Joining a family v that person joining yours. Aggrevation v amazement at the same behavior. The push to assimilate v the pull of not. To drink or not to drink the "kool aid". And what happens when you are forced to grapple with all of this on "vacation". What is owed inherently vs what needs to be earned. There is so much being explored here, but not once did this ever feel like I was reading about these specific issues. I was reading a poignant, sometimes funny, sometimes piercing family story of two people navigating life with all that it brings with it.
This was so sharp. It is fairly quiet as this DINK couple navigates life while reckoning with what they need their future to be. Despite its quiet, I couldn't stop flipping these pages because Wang's format so brilliantly brings out so much to marvel at. Her acute observations on so many layers of identity cemented this as a huge win for me. Highly recommend fitting this short book in before the end of 2024!
December 16, 2024
Their interactions with family and strangers alike on two vacations - Cape Cod and the Catskills, five years apart - put interracial couple Keru and Nate's choices into perspective as they near age 40. Although some might find their situation (childfree, with a "fur baby") stereotypical, it does reflect that of a growing number of aging millennials. Wang portrays them sympathetically, but there is also a note of gentle satire. The way that identity politics comes into the novel is not exactly subtle, but it does feel true to life. And it is very clever how the novel examines the matters of race, class, ambition, and parenthood through the lens of vacations. Like a two-act play, the framework is simple and concise, yet so revealing about contemporary American society. (More of a 3.5, really.)
See my full review at BookBrowse. (See also my reading list on Novels Set on Vacation.)
See my full review at BookBrowse. (See also my reading list on Novels Set on Vacation.)
March 28, 2024
I know that life comes at you nasty. But for as much and as many times as I have read JOAN IS OKAY, the ultimate comfort book of the late pandemic. I was not ready for this swerve of a title from Weike Wang.
And sure, her debut CHEMISTRY could be seen as the origin story for this one. But those earlier books have lightness and hope, levity. And I was so excited to get approved for the ARC of this title.
Also I had 2024 Covid when I got approved, which just proves my point about how getting the galley of JOAN IS OKAY in 2021 was the novel version of the vaccine. Even though I wrongly sometimes associate reading it with the 2020 of it all, like it’s the LAUGH NOW CRY LATER Drake video and a bottle of SUNNY SIDE UP eau de toilette from Juliette Has A Gun.
So my 2024 Covid read of this book was bed bound, but that doesn’t account for me reading all three of Weike Wang’s novels in a day. What it does say is that no matter when I read this book, I still would’ve stopped less than halfway through to read the others, because I just needed a break from this bleak novel.
I love this author. I just really hated this plot. I usually thank the publisher at the end of my reviews for the ARC but this time I want to thank Weike Wang. I reserve the right to change my mind on how much this novel wounded me, which is why I am giving it 5 stars.
And sure, her debut CHEMISTRY could be seen as the origin story for this one. But those earlier books have lightness and hope, levity. And I was so excited to get approved for the ARC of this title.
Also I had 2024 Covid when I got approved, which just proves my point about how getting the galley of JOAN IS OKAY in 2021 was the novel version of the vaccine. Even though I wrongly sometimes associate reading it with the 2020 of it all, like it’s the LAUGH NOW CRY LATER Drake video and a bottle of SUNNY SIDE UP eau de toilette from Juliette Has A Gun.
So my 2024 Covid read of this book was bed bound, but that doesn’t account for me reading all three of Weike Wang’s novels in a day. What it does say is that no matter when I read this book, I still would’ve stopped less than halfway through to read the others, because I just needed a break from this bleak novel.
I love this author. I just really hated this plot. I usually thank the publisher at the end of my reviews for the ARC but this time I want to thank Weike Wang. I reserve the right to change my mind on how much this novel wounded me, which is why I am giving it 5 stars.
November 25, 2024
This was great!...and incredibly depressing!!!! Exactly what I wanted, and knew I'd be getting from Weike Wang, who is fantastic at writing these sharp, funny, brilliant little books that feel yanked out from the corners of my soul.
December 8, 2024
3.5 stars
November 25, 2024
4.5/5 ARC gifted by the publisher
As Keru, the only daughter of strict Chinese immigrant parents, and Nate, from a rural and white working-class family, navigate their marriage with two perfectly planned family vacations, the results are disastrous and revealing. How strong is a family when faced with conflicts from in-laws, debts, and wayward siblings?
Weike Wang reminds me, yet again, why I love her so much. Her humor is my kind of humor—sharp, understated, and perfectly timed. RENTAL HOUSE is the kind of book that made me laugh out loud while also leaving me quietly reflective, precisely what I look for in literary fiction.
At its core, RENTAL HOUSE explores an interracial relationship—this is exactly what I meant when I said I want deeper explorations of Asian women and white men relationships. It's not just surface-level tension or stereotypes; Wang dives into the complex dynamics, subtle power imbalances, and cultural dissonance in a way that feels authentic and deeply nuanced. As an Asian immigrant married to an Asian American partner, I still found so much of myself in this story—especially in the narrator's moments of self-doubt and humor-tinged introspection.
Some of the parents' experiences and comments also struck close to home. Wang captures the absurdity and pain of the immigrant experience with a clarity that made me both wince and nod in recognition. And her exploration of the so-called white "middle class" is razor-sharp—not just about their privilege but also about the erosion of that identity altogether.
One of my favorite things about Weike Wang's books is how they seem to match the stages of my life perfectly. I read CHEMISTRY right after graduating, which spoke to that disorienting post-PhD uncertainty. Then, JOAN IS OKAY came during the pandemic when I had my own existential crisis about work and healthcare. And now, RENTAL HOUSE feels like a mirror to my mid-30s—navigating marriage, living a DINK life, and pondering what comes next.
Wang's brilliance is in her ability to make you feel seen while also forcing you to think. RENTAL HOUSE is another testament to her gift for writing stories that are as hilarious as they are devastating, as specific as they are universal. Highly recommend.
As Keru, the only daughter of strict Chinese immigrant parents, and Nate, from a rural and white working-class family, navigate their marriage with two perfectly planned family vacations, the results are disastrous and revealing. How strong is a family when faced with conflicts from in-laws, debts, and wayward siblings?
Weike Wang reminds me, yet again, why I love her so much. Her humor is my kind of humor—sharp, understated, and perfectly timed. RENTAL HOUSE is the kind of book that made me laugh out loud while also leaving me quietly reflective, precisely what I look for in literary fiction.
At its core, RENTAL HOUSE explores an interracial relationship—this is exactly what I meant when I said I want deeper explorations of Asian women and white men relationships. It's not just surface-level tension or stereotypes; Wang dives into the complex dynamics, subtle power imbalances, and cultural dissonance in a way that feels authentic and deeply nuanced. As an Asian immigrant married to an Asian American partner, I still found so much of myself in this story—especially in the narrator's moments of self-doubt and humor-tinged introspection.
Some of the parents' experiences and comments also struck close to home. Wang captures the absurdity and pain of the immigrant experience with a clarity that made me both wince and nod in recognition. And her exploration of the so-called white "middle class" is razor-sharp—not just about their privilege but also about the erosion of that identity altogether.
One of my favorite things about Weike Wang's books is how they seem to match the stages of my life perfectly. I read CHEMISTRY right after graduating, which spoke to that disorienting post-PhD uncertainty. Then, JOAN IS OKAY came during the pandemic when I had my own existential crisis about work and healthcare. And now, RENTAL HOUSE feels like a mirror to my mid-30s—navigating marriage, living a DINK life, and pondering what comes next.
Wang's brilliance is in her ability to make you feel seen while also forcing you to think. RENTAL HOUSE is another testament to her gift for writing stories that are as hilarious as they are devastating, as specific as they are universal. Highly recommend.
August 5, 2024
First, I'd like to thank Riverhead Books for sending me a copy of Rental House in exchange for my honest review. This book, set to release on December 3, 2024, is a compelling exploration of family dynamics, cultural intersections, and the immigrant experience.
Rental House follows Keru and Nate, a married couple navigating their life together, despite coming from very different cultural backgrounds, - Keru being Chinese and Nate American. The story delves deeply into how they interact with each other's families, highlighting the pressures and expectations imposed by both sets of in-laws. Weike Wang does an excellent job portraying the complexities of these relationships, particularly how immigrant parents' desires for a better life for their children can clash with the realities of their children's lives in a new country.
Though the story itself is relatively simple, it is enjoyable and relatable, offering a thoughtful look at the balancing act many couples face when blending different cultures. What stands out in Rental House is its ability to teach us about the importance of empathy, understanding, and compromise in any relationship. Overall, Rental House is a touching and meaningful read, proving both entertainment and reflection on the intricate nature of family and cultural identity.
Rental House follows Keru and Nate, a married couple navigating their life together, despite coming from very different cultural backgrounds, - Keru being Chinese and Nate American. The story delves deeply into how they interact with each other's families, highlighting the pressures and expectations imposed by both sets of in-laws. Weike Wang does an excellent job portraying the complexities of these relationships, particularly how immigrant parents' desires for a better life for their children can clash with the realities of their children's lives in a new country.
Though the story itself is relatively simple, it is enjoyable and relatable, offering a thoughtful look at the balancing act many couples face when blending different cultures. What stands out in Rental House is its ability to teach us about the importance of empathy, understanding, and compromise in any relationship. Overall, Rental House is a touching and meaningful read, proving both entertainment and reflection on the intricate nature of family and cultural identity.
December 15, 2024
This was a nicely done portrait of a couple and their parents. The couple consists of Keru, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, and her husband, Nate, the son of parents who have lived for generations in Appalachia. Of course, Keru and Nate hail from extremely different backgrounds and this difference and the way in which they deal with it is what drives the novel.
Keru and Nate meet at Yale, and the reader meets them as a young married couple. They have rented a vacation home where they will entertain first, Keru’s parents and then Nate’s parents. Keru’s parents are (in my opinion) stereotype Chinese parents. They raised their daughter to succeed – which she did. But the novel delves deeper and portrays the personality of Keru’s mother, who often complains and for whom nothing is perfect. On the other hand, Nate’s parents are Appalachian Americans, who were shocked when Nate went to college. Nate’s mother is also well portrayed, and although she generally is outwardly quite genial, her deep beliefs and prejudices often show through.
The most fully portrayed characters are Keru and Nate, who bring the weight of their extremely different backgrounds into their marriage. The heart of the novel is their interaction – in daily life, in their professional lives, in their nuclear family (which consists only of their dog) and in their relationships with their parents. I enjoyed the storyline; however, there were a few places where I thought the writing needed a little more editing.
Keru and Nate meet at Yale, and the reader meets them as a young married couple. They have rented a vacation home where they will entertain first, Keru’s parents and then Nate’s parents. Keru’s parents are (in my opinion) stereotype Chinese parents. They raised their daughter to succeed – which she did. But the novel delves deeper and portrays the personality of Keru’s mother, who often complains and for whom nothing is perfect. On the other hand, Nate’s parents are Appalachian Americans, who were shocked when Nate went to college. Nate’s mother is also well portrayed, and although she generally is outwardly quite genial, her deep beliefs and prejudices often show through.
The most fully portrayed characters are Keru and Nate, who bring the weight of their extremely different backgrounds into their marriage. The heart of the novel is their interaction – in daily life, in their professional lives, in their nuclear family (which consists only of their dog) and in their relationships with their parents. I enjoyed the storyline; however, there were a few places where I thought the writing needed a little more editing.
December 12, 2024
I finished this and immediately turned back to page one and read it again. It’s a quick read but so wise and insightful. I think it’s brave to tell a behind the scenes story about a marriage and families of origin. Especially an interracial marriage that endures the harsh scrutiny of immigrant parents and racism from white in laws. Waike Wang’s relatable portrayal of family dynamics, as well as simply existing as an Asian American in a white space, drew me in and broke my heart. I often deny myself permission to feel seen in these kinds of narratives, but Rental House was a thoughtful and validating invitation to do so.
December 6, 2024
This didn’t get through me. Forgettable.
October 23, 2024
"To suffer is to strive and to set a bar so high that one never becomes complacent. To become complacent is to become lazy and to love one's spirit to fight, and to lose one's spirit to fight is to die. So, to suffer is to live."
Keru and Nate are a married couple with different family backgrounds - Keru is the daughter of Chinese immigrants and Nate is from a white working-class family. RENTAL HOUSE is about them on two vacations five years apart - with their families and encountering quirky characters.
For children of immigrants (more specifically of Chinese immigrants like myself), one revels in Wang's incisive observations on the immigrant experience. What Wang does brilliantly is to expose the cultural assimilation, parental expectations, sacrifice and loss of language in a witty and singular way, which can be relatable in many degrees. The novel's strength lies on the character study of realistic characters and through a slice-of-life narrative, invites one to delve into the depths of family dynamics (interracial marriage and in-laws relationships) and its intersection with culture, race and class.
This novel incorporates Wang's signature of tackling contemporary themes without once being hefty, rather, providing entertaining reflections with comic relief elements. The story is mostly quiet, subtle in the vivid portrait and rich in the details about the nature of family. With effortless prose, the small talks can feel scattered for some readers, while I personally enjoyed lingering on my own meditations (I nodded at the reflections about suffering).
Ranging from tenderness to frustration, RENTAL HOUSE is an insightful and nuanced novelty of the clash of cultures and family conflicts. Wang doesn't disappoint with another wry novel and I will read anything she writes.
(ps: a dog named Mantou? such a delight!)
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Riverhead books . All opinions are my own ]
Keru and Nate are a married couple with different family backgrounds - Keru is the daughter of Chinese immigrants and Nate is from a white working-class family. RENTAL HOUSE is about them on two vacations five years apart - with their families and encountering quirky characters.
For children of immigrants (more specifically of Chinese immigrants like myself), one revels in Wang's incisive observations on the immigrant experience. What Wang does brilliantly is to expose the cultural assimilation, parental expectations, sacrifice and loss of language in a witty and singular way, which can be relatable in many degrees. The novel's strength lies on the character study of realistic characters and through a slice-of-life narrative, invites one to delve into the depths of family dynamics (interracial marriage and in-laws relationships) and its intersection with culture, race and class.
This novel incorporates Wang's signature of tackling contemporary themes without once being hefty, rather, providing entertaining reflections with comic relief elements. The story is mostly quiet, subtle in the vivid portrait and rich in the details about the nature of family. With effortless prose, the small talks can feel scattered for some readers, while I personally enjoyed lingering on my own meditations (I nodded at the reflections about suffering).
Ranging from tenderness to frustration, RENTAL HOUSE is an insightful and nuanced novelty of the clash of cultures and family conflicts. Wang doesn't disappoint with another wry novel and I will read anything she writes.
(ps: a dog named Mantou? such a delight!)
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Riverhead books . All opinions are my own ]
December 10, 2024
2.5: I typically really love how this author writes quirky, brilliant characters, but this book wasn't like that. This book lacked the humor of the previous ones, the characters weren't very likable and the story seemed pretty stagnant.
Want to read
August 24, 2024i usually don’t read this type of book but the mc is chinese and their dog is named mantou so
November 28, 2024
Thank you to Riverhead Books and Penguin Random House International for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. #PRHInternationalPartner
After DNFing Joan Is Okay, I was a bit wary going into RENTAL HOUSE, but I’m happy to report that I enjoyed it a lot more. RENTAL HOUSE is a fast read, a bizarre and uncomfortably truthful look into the realities of present-day interracial marriages and racial identity that I tore through.
I am in awe of the insights that Weike Wang gives us into Keru and Nate’s relationship and individual thoughts. Their disparate families are wholly unique, yet will remind you so much of people you know (perhaps even within your own family). Keru’s uber-strict Chinese immigrant parents have Keru’s utmost loyalty, even if being around them makes her regress into her childhood self. On the other hand, Nate’s conservative, white trash, Appalachia family believe that they are generous souls welcoming Keru into their family/America while also perpetuating racial stereotypes.
Wang has written about WMAF (white male, Asian female) relationships and Asian vs white American identity in a way that I have long been searching for in literature. On the immigrant’s American dream:
On Nate’s mother’s exhaustingly microaggressive white woman-ness (which reminds me of an ex’s terror of a mother):
On attempting to dialogue with white people about the complexities of interracial relationships:
SLAY, WEIKE WANG. SLAY.
There were a few things that I didn’t get, which knocked down the rating for me a bit. The first was that the structure of the book felt a bit disjointed, divided up into two family vacations as it was. I was really on board to getting to know Keru and Nate’s absurd parents, and was a bit taken aback that the second holiday introduced a whole new set of characters, rather than bringing the parents back. In particular, I wasn’t a big fan of the Eastern European bungalow neighbors in the second vacation home, who felt like they were there specifically to be a mouthpiece for commentary about interracial and DINK marriages. Secondly, the book ended rather abruptly for me, and I wasn’t sure what Wang was trying to say by the end.
If you’ve liked Weike Wang’s previous novels, I think you’ll also enjoy this one. If you’ve never read or before or have been on the fence about starting, give this one a go. RENTAL HOUSE was a quick and delightfully scathing read that had me both smiling and smacking my forehead in relatable frustration.
After DNFing Joan Is Okay, I was a bit wary going into RENTAL HOUSE, but I’m happy to report that I enjoyed it a lot more. RENTAL HOUSE is a fast read, a bizarre and uncomfortably truthful look into the realities of present-day interracial marriages and racial identity that I tore through.
I am in awe of the insights that Weike Wang gives us into Keru and Nate’s relationship and individual thoughts. Their disparate families are wholly unique, yet will remind you so much of people you know (perhaps even within your own family). Keru’s uber-strict Chinese immigrant parents have Keru’s utmost loyalty, even if being around them makes her regress into her childhood self. On the other hand, Nate’s conservative, white trash, Appalachia family believe that they are generous souls welcoming Keru into their family/America while also perpetuating racial stereotypes.
Wang has written about WMAF (white male, Asian female) relationships and Asian vs white American identity in a way that I have long been searching for in literature. On the immigrant’s American dream:
“So, this was what the end of immigration could look like. Settled, half assimilated, and isolated in your suburban house.”
On Nate’s mother’s exhaustingly microaggressive white woman-ness (which reminds me of an ex’s terror of a mother):
“[Keru] disliked the woman’s need to be understood perfectly by everyone around her, yet her inability to extend the generosity to others.”
On attempting to dialogue with white people about the complexities of interracial relationships:
“I feel so bad for these [Asian] women [who are with white men] and am glad Luka won’t have this kind of trouble. That’s one benefit when you marry within your group. The kids come out more cohesive.”
SLAY, WEIKE WANG. SLAY.
There were a few things that I didn’t get, which knocked down the rating for me a bit. The first was that the structure of the book felt a bit disjointed, divided up into two family vacations as it was. I was really on board to getting to know Keru and Nate’s absurd parents, and was a bit taken aback that the second holiday introduced a whole new set of characters, rather than bringing the parents back. In particular, I wasn’t a big fan of the Eastern European bungalow neighbors in the second vacation home, who felt like they were there specifically to be a mouthpiece for commentary about interracial and DINK marriages. Secondly, the book ended rather abruptly for me, and I wasn’t sure what Wang was trying to say by the end.
If you’ve liked Weike Wang’s previous novels, I think you’ll also enjoy this one. If you’ve never read or before or have been on the fence about starting, give this one a go. RENTAL HOUSE was a quick and delightfully scathing read that had me both smiling and smacking my forehead in relatable frustration.
December 5, 2024
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧
Thank you #parrner @prhaudio for my #gifted copy
Rental House
Weike Wang
Weike Wang, author of Chemistry and Joan Is Okay, is back with a sharp, insightful, character-driven novel about marriage, family, and self-discovery. The story follows Keru and Nate—an Asian woman and her white husband. The pair met in college and married a few years later, finding comfort in each other as fellow outcasts. Keru, the only child of strict Chinese immigrant parents, faces high expectations, while Nate comes from a rural, working-class white family that is suspicious of his intellectual ambitions and his "foreign" wife.
Told through the lens of two family vacations—first in a beach house in Cape Cod and then in a bungalow in the Catskills—Keru and Nate are forced to confront the hidden truths in their relationship. As they navigate visits from in-laws, a sibling, and unexpected guests, the couple struggles to balance their families' demands and figure out if their marriage has what it takes to survive. Compelling, poignant, and laced with a delectable and perfectly-placed dry humor, Rental House blends themes of identity, love, and the complexities of family. With insight, nuance, and an abundance of wit, Wang masterfully explores interracial marriage and family through the lenses of an Asian woman and a white man. Beautifully done!
🎧 Audiobook narrator Jen Zhao is wonderful!! Her performance beautifully captures the varied emotions of the novel. She nails Wang's deadpan humor and clever prose. At just under 6 hours, this was a very quick listen!
📌 A December 2024 @bookofthemonth pick!
📌 Out now
Thank you #parrner @prhaudio for my #gifted copy
Rental House
Weike Wang
Weike Wang, author of Chemistry and Joan Is Okay, is back with a sharp, insightful, character-driven novel about marriage, family, and self-discovery. The story follows Keru and Nate—an Asian woman and her white husband. The pair met in college and married a few years later, finding comfort in each other as fellow outcasts. Keru, the only child of strict Chinese immigrant parents, faces high expectations, while Nate comes from a rural, working-class white family that is suspicious of his intellectual ambitions and his "foreign" wife.
Told through the lens of two family vacations—first in a beach house in Cape Cod and then in a bungalow in the Catskills—Keru and Nate are forced to confront the hidden truths in their relationship. As they navigate visits from in-laws, a sibling, and unexpected guests, the couple struggles to balance their families' demands and figure out if their marriage has what it takes to survive. Compelling, poignant, and laced with a delectable and perfectly-placed dry humor, Rental House blends themes of identity, love, and the complexities of family. With insight, nuance, and an abundance of wit, Wang masterfully explores interracial marriage and family through the lenses of an Asian woman and a white man. Beautifully done!
🎧 Audiobook narrator Jen Zhao is wonderful!! Her performance beautifully captures the varied emotions of the novel. She nails Wang's deadpan humor and clever prose. At just under 6 hours, this was a very quick listen!
📌 A December 2024 @bookofthemonth pick!
📌 Out now
December 9, 2024
Weike Wang is fast becoming one of my favourite writers - with her wry humor and knack for observation. I was so excited to hear her latest RENTAL HOUSE came out last week and rushed to read it. Full of subtleties, this worked for me phenomenally as a portrait of a marriage and the waves of highs and lows we endure with a longtime partner. Spectacular commentary on interracial marriage, immigration, politics, children and familial duties featuring some extremely funny in-law moments (boy have I been there!) . Wang’s protagonist Keru is lovably quirky and the dog Mantou is amazingly written! I enjoyed the two part structure although I did feel the rising tension from part one did not resolve and instead we are thrusted into the lives of new characters in part two. I did feel many ideas were introduced without any clear conclusions so I’d give this a solid 4.
December 6, 2024
Maybe 4.5/5 stars, but such a great book! I love Weike Wang’s crisp commentary and voice, and this book has that in spades. Set in two rental houses on vacations set five years apart, we spend time with Nate and Keru, Yale grads from different class and cultural backgrounds, as they vacation first with their sets of parents (separately) and then with strangers and Nate’s brother Ethan. The uncertainty of living outside of your routine in a rental house really highlighted Wang’s commentary on immigration, class, race, parenthood, politics and more. Fantastic story and structure, and I wish this book had come out in the summer or fall when the vacations take place because I think this book may be overlooked with its December pub date.
December 14, 2024
A character-driven, inside look at one couple and their complicated relationships with their parents, their in-laws, and the world around them. There is insight into the Chinese-American immigration story, what it is to be a Chinese-American woman in the U.S., and more about race in America from an Asian perspective. The first half was more explosive than the second, and I kept waiting for the tension to build into something more—- however, the story also felt much more real without resorting to extreme dramatics. I really enjoy Weike Wang’s voice, and I enjoyed RENTAL HOUSE even more than JOAN IS OKAY.
Thank you to Riverhead Books for the ARC.
Thank you to Riverhead Books for the ARC.
December 6, 2024
Millennials are so whiny. This is a book about two Manhattanites who love each other very much, but also struggle with anxiety despite their privileges. Keru is a first general immigrant, coming to the US from China with her parents at age 9. Nate is a poor white kid who happened to be kind of brilliant and hard working. They meet at Yale in their senior year and start dating, then marry. It essentially explores the experience of creating a partnership and a life together despite having a different experience. Racial micro-aggressions, the decision to remain child-free, the decision that Keru will be the higher income, high powered consultant. The way they manage the relationship with their parents is very different and strained by politics.
This book has some stunningly powerful observations, it is all character development and commentary about millennial malaise, and short on plot. Again; it’s not really a story, more of a testimonial. It is in no way “heartwarming.” It’s very intelligent and well written but honestly doesn’t have a lot to say. But it’s short. If you like adjectives and generational tension, this is the book for you!! If you are a Millenial DINK living in Manhattan, you are going to feel SO seen.
#booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #bookworm #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreader #millenials
This book has some stunningly powerful observations, it is all character development and commentary about millennial malaise, and short on plot. Again; it’s not really a story, more of a testimonial. It is in no way “heartwarming.” It’s very intelligent and well written but honestly doesn’t have a lot to say. But it’s short. If you like adjectives and generational tension, this is the book for you!! If you are a Millenial DINK living in Manhattan, you are going to feel SO seen.
#booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #bookworm #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreader #millenials
December 4, 2024
On the second read, I found the subtleties scattered throughout the book to work with the ending. Everything that needs to be said is said on the page. At the beginning of the book, Keru and Nate seem like polar opposites, but through the action of three holidays, we learn that their viewpoints align in regard to their future, their ways in life, and their counter traditional mindset.
It's a clever and interesting story, but the action does not keep the reader engaged. There are a few funny in-law family moments, but a lot of the emphasis is on Keru, who is juggling pressure from family and society. This pressure slowly builds and eventually leaks in the form of violent outbursts such as throwing things, driving fast, and hitting things.
To contrast, Keru's partner; Nate, is easy going and has a hakuna matata (things will work out in the end) mindset. While he is also under pressure from his parents, he ignores the problems. Both characters feel stuck in their lives; they're in a Mobius strip, and by the end they choose the same future; a line extending into infinity.
Themes: traditional vs liberal lifestyle, filial piety v individualism, fate vs structure vs free will.
WHERES THE SUFFERING?
The narrator speaks for the protagonists to emphasize the voice of the in-laws. I think Weike should let the reader figure out what's happening instead of summarizing dialog.
WEIRD ANALOGY
Nate believes the moon is a giant banana in space. When Keru accepts this, she comes around to see the world like Nate does. 3⭐
--------
First Read
In this book, Wang departs from writing about a single lead character and focuses on a family instead. While the book emphasizes the difficulties of interracial marriage and the differences between the Chinese and the American families, it's focus is on the double-income-no-kids couple and the examination of their millennial lifestyle.
In brief, the novel is about Keru and Nate who host their parents for a holiday at Cape Cod, and five years later they escape to the Catskills for a retreat from city life, where they meet some quirky characters.
In the first section of the story, the characters are pressured by family expectations to the point of a meltdown.
However, in the second half of the story, this rising action does not progress and a resolution does not materialize. Rather, the story pivots to a "Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten" Kumbaya moment ending.
One of the things that work in the novel is how relatable it is. It discusses contemporary issues, more specifically, New York City related issues. It is representative of the current American consciousness on race, identity, immigration, and interracial relationships.
I like that the heart of the novel is filled with millennial angst about life, meeting family expectations, and integrating into society. This is something anyone can relate to. One of the things that kept me reading were the clever jokes and the unpredictable reactions of Keru in social situations. I get this Ghost World / Daria vibe from Keru, who speaks in a deadpan voice. Her existentialist thoughts lead to a few HaHa moments. Who really steals the spotlight is the dog, Mantou, who is a really charming comic relief that compliments Keru. I would have loved to read more about the two.
One of the things that did not work in the book is the motif of having children. It is mentioned through dialogue, built with very creative imagery, and Wang even set up contrasting couples to emphasize the issue, but there is no conclusion on the topic. The reader is left uncertain about Nate's and Kerus future just as they are uncertain about their own future.
I would have loved to continue reading more about Keru and Nate's life. I do feel like there is a third part that is missing, maybe a staycation or visiting the mother in-law. As it stands, the novel feels incomplete.
The last thing that needs to be mentioned is the narrator. I found the third person narrator confusing and frustrating. It sometimes takes the form of a chorus and at other times speaks directly to the audience. At many instances, the narrator summarizes dialogue that seems to be important, slowing down the action and making for a meandering reading experience. 2.5⭐
It's a clever and interesting story, but the action does not keep the reader engaged. There are a few funny in-law family moments, but a lot of the emphasis is on Keru, who is juggling pressure from family and society. This pressure slowly builds and eventually leaks in the form of violent outbursts such as throwing things, driving fast, and hitting things.
To contrast, Keru's partner; Nate, is easy going and has a hakuna matata (things will work out in the end) mindset. While he is also under pressure from his parents, he ignores the problems. Both characters feel stuck in their lives; they're in a Mobius strip, and by the end they choose the same future; a line extending into infinity.
Themes: traditional vs liberal lifestyle, filial piety v individualism, fate vs structure vs free will.
WHERES THE SUFFERING?
The narrator speaks for the protagonists to emphasize the voice of the in-laws. I think Weike should let the reader figure out what's happening instead of summarizing dialog.
WEIRD ANALOGY
Nate believes the moon is a giant banana in space. When Keru accepts this, she comes around to see the world like Nate does. 3⭐
--------
First Read
In this book, Wang departs from writing about a single lead character and focuses on a family instead. While the book emphasizes the difficulties of interracial marriage and the differences between the Chinese and the American families, it's focus is on the double-income-no-kids couple and the examination of their millennial lifestyle.
In brief, the novel is about Keru and Nate who host their parents for a holiday at Cape Cod, and five years later they escape to the Catskills for a retreat from city life, where they meet some quirky characters.
In the first section of the story, the characters are pressured by family expectations to the point of a meltdown.
However, in the second half of the story, this rising action does not progress and a resolution does not materialize. Rather, the story pivots to a "Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten" Kumbaya moment ending.
One of the things that work in the novel is how relatable it is. It discusses contemporary issues, more specifically, New York City related issues. It is representative of the current American consciousness on race, identity, immigration, and interracial relationships.
I like that the heart of the novel is filled with millennial angst about life, meeting family expectations, and integrating into society. This is something anyone can relate to. One of the things that kept me reading were the clever jokes and the unpredictable reactions of Keru in social situations. I get this Ghost World / Daria vibe from Keru, who speaks in a deadpan voice. Her existentialist thoughts lead to a few HaHa moments. Who really steals the spotlight is the dog, Mantou, who is a really charming comic relief that compliments Keru. I would have loved to read more about the two.
One of the things that did not work in the book is the motif of having children. It is mentioned through dialogue, built with very creative imagery, and Wang even set up contrasting couples to emphasize the issue, but there is no conclusion on the topic. The reader is left uncertain about Nate's and Kerus future just as they are uncertain about their own future.
I would have loved to continue reading more about Keru and Nate's life. I do feel like there is a third part that is missing, maybe a staycation or visiting the mother in-law. As it stands, the novel feels incomplete.
The last thing that needs to be mentioned is the narrator. I found the third person narrator confusing and frustrating. It sometimes takes the form of a chorus and at other times speaks directly to the audience. At many instances, the narrator summarizes dialogue that seems to be important, slowing down the action and making for a meandering reading experience. 2.5⭐
May 16, 2024
A thought-provoking look into marriage- life, love, death, anxiety, and the terrible feeling that you are hurtling into nothingness. Nate & Keru met at a Yale Halloween party; initially brought together by their collective witty nature & impulsiveness, the two follow the blueprint of the typical successful millennial American dream: marriage & a dog. This story follows Keru and Nate through the lens of two vacations a few years apart.
I found it compelling the use of outside factors to provide the reader insight into Keru & Nate’s emotions, their dog Mantou being one of them. As the stress and heartbreak of the owners’ lives materializes through anxiety & depression, those same symptoms are revealed in the pup and are quickly medicated. Nate and Keru are not so quick to take care of themselves- so that provides an interesting and well thought out contrast.
Sometimes it’s hard to imagine that vacations can be some of the most stressful times of peoples’ lives, but Wang does a great job of encapsulating the stress of unplugging, and all the nasty emotions that don’t get brought out in everyday life, when the monotony is simply too monotonous for you to care.
I found it compelling the use of outside factors to provide the reader insight into Keru & Nate’s emotions, their dog Mantou being one of them. As the stress and heartbreak of the owners’ lives materializes through anxiety & depression, those same symptoms are revealed in the pup and are quickly medicated. Nate and Keru are not so quick to take care of themselves- so that provides an interesting and well thought out contrast.
Sometimes it’s hard to imagine that vacations can be some of the most stressful times of peoples’ lives, but Wang does a great job of encapsulating the stress of unplugging, and all the nasty emotions that don’t get brought out in everyday life, when the monotony is simply too monotonous for you to care.
July 18, 2024
A penetrating look into family relationships between a couple who met in college, are pushing 40, have no children but successful careers, are quite content with their life choices. Will they remain content when their parents start expressing interests in their choices and lifestyles? They vacation with Chinese parents who demand perfection and working-class white parents who believe hard work, not intelligence, is most important. But the parents aren’t there at the same time because that would be more chaotic. Plus…the couple has a lovable giant sheepdog that they treat as their child. Eye opening and fun read.
March 19, 2024
A portrait of a marriage in two vacations, several years apart. We learn about Keru and Nate's relationship with each other, their parents, and each other's parents - financial and cultural tensions being at the helm of their relationships with both sets of parents. The novel takes a very interesting form, but the subject matter felt bleak at times. Rental House comes out November 12, 2024.
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