A review by nicolekdan
Central Places by Delia Cai

emotional funny hopeful reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

In Delia Cai’s debut novel, Central Places, Audrey Zhou returns to her small hometown in Illinois for the first time in 8 years, with her rich white fiance Ben. Audrey is financially secure, but regresses emotionally upon returning to Hickory Grove and confronting all the tension that she left behind. All of the characters are unlikeable in their own ways, and the story of combined self centeredness and self loathing is deeply relatable. Audrey constantly asks herself about how her life could have turned out differently. She observes the past with a self critical lens, thinking about the context of her childhood, and the expectations of her immigrant parents. The author avoids over romanticizing the small town, showing how truly impossible it would have been for Audrey to continue to live there. While Ben sees the visit as a small blip on the way to getting married, Audrey’s trip to her hometown causes a monumental shift in relationships old and new. I don’t want to say too much about the plot because it is truly special.

This was a quick read, and Audrey’s internal thought process, which may seem like overthinking, was a highlight. I would compare the plot to a realistic version of a Hallmark movie. 

Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the eARC.
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