And the Ancestors Sing: Launch Celebration

Join us for the launch celebration of And the Ancestors Sing. In conversation with CFE past president, Kerry Jordan, author Radha Lin Chaddah will discuss her sweeping debut novel And the Ancestors Sing, a multigenerational saga set against the seismic changes of post-Cultural Revolution China.

Following Lei from a remote village in 1978 and LuLu navigating Shanghai's urban underbelly in the 1980s, this richly layered novel explores themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Through intimate human stories, Chaddah illuminates the profound impact of China's rapid economic transformation on ordinary lives—the devastating choices rural migrants faced, the barriers women overcame, and the enduring pull of home across generations.

Radha brings a unique perspective to this story. As a physician who has practiced in Boston, Beijing, and beyond, she draws on firsthand experiences and patient stories to create characters of remarkable depth and humanity. Her prose is luminous and precise, particularly in how she explores mental health, stigma, and the quiet strength required to survive upheaval.

Perfect for readers of Pachinko and The Island of Sea Women, this is a novel about the people behind the statistics of globalization—their hopes, their heartbreak, and their enduring resilience.

Join us for an hour of conversation, insight, and celebration of this powerful new voice in fiction.