This "vivid, fascinating, and haunting look at today's China" (Library
Journal, starred review) and highly anticipated sequel to the "darkly
beautiful, heart-wrenching" (Booklist) Whispering Shadows features a
brooding German-American expat who is struggling to begin a new
life--only to find himself embroiled in an investigation that could have
dangerous environmental and personal consequences.Paul Leibovitz is
determined to turn over a new leaf in Hong Kong and find peace after the
death of his son. He believes that his love for Christine Wu will bring
him the joy he desperately needs--but things change when Christine gets
an unexpected letter from Da Long, the brother she hasn't seen in forty
years, urging her to visit him in his remote village outside of
Shanghai. Paul is compelled to travel with her, knowing full well that
the mainland, with all of its menacing secrets, terrifies her. After an
awkward reunion with her brother, Christine leaves immediately but Paul
decides to stay. He's a journalist at heart, after all, and there are
questions begging for answers, such as why are Da Long's wife, other
local women, and even some pets exhibiting the same mysterious symptoms?
With a bit of investigating, Paul discovers that a powerful chemical
conglomerate has been polluting a nearby lake, and the Chinese
government has done nothing to stop it. Da Long's children demand
justice and want to sue, even though a suit would put their lives at
risk. Will anyone take on their case or will intimidation and corruption
suppress even the most outspoken citizens? Can Paul walk away, or will
he pull the woman he loves reluctantly back into a world she escaped
from decades ago? Suspenseful and rife with the page-turning
storytelling that has come to define Sendker's work, Language of
Solitude is a brilliant and timely thriller that offers a penetrating
look into contemporary China.
