The Moon Goddess’s Smile

The Moon Goddess’s Smile is “a Timely Read.”

Since 2018, the United States has been embroiled in a trade war with China. China tariffs, China threat, a rising China... Every day, politicians fling at us these hailstone-sized buzzwords. As a result, many people are drowning in a subconscious deluge of fear and anxiety about China.

Undoubtedly, there will be casualties, even in a bloodless trade war. Sun Tzu stated in The Art of War, “If you know your opponent and know yourself, you need not fear a hundred battles.” So, here’s a fair question to ask: My fellow Americans, do you understand the real China and Chinese people?

Today, if you search Amazon bestsellers about Chinese people, you will notice an interesting trend: three of the top ten novels were written in the 1930s. That’s right, in 1937, by Pearl Buck, an American who lived in China in the early part of the 20th century. A few novels were meticulously researched and beautifully written by Lisa See, a Chinese American whose great-grandfather immigrated from China to California over a century ago. The rest are about ancient Chinese from the 16th to 18th centuries.

I hope you see my point now: If knowledge is power, then outdated, second-hand knowledge can be dangerous, in war or peace.

Now, here comes “a timely read.” The Moon Goddess’s Smile is a sweeping, atmospheric book that opens a unique window for Americans to glimpse the mysterious Chinese psyche. This acclaimed book was written by me, an immigrant who has struggled in two clashing cultures in the past three decades.

You may ask, why should it be YOU who writes an epic book about contemporary China? True, there are hundreds of talented Chinese writers living inside China. But, sadly, none of them can write freely and honestly without ending up in jail.

So, even though English is my second language and I don’t have an MFA degree in Creative writing, I took up this daunting project. Growing up in China, my extended family had enchanted me with a gold mine of fantastic stories. I also witnessed many of the historical events that have shaped modern China. Like the protagonist in my novel, I came to New York City as a graduate student. After a biomedical research career and podiatry practice, I followed my heart and pursued my dream: to become a storyteller. I honed my writing skills at Boston’s Grubstreet, then labored for over five years on this novel, which is loosely based on my family history and my own experience navigating two continents.

Dear readers, I invite you to dive into this immersive story and swim among some colorful, complex Chinese characters. Once you cross into the twenty-first century with the Hong family, you will gain a deep understanding of modern-day China.

Happy reading!

Catherine C. Wu

Praise for The Moon Goddess’s Smile

“Secrets, scars, and stories—a fascinating historical novel of cultural & personal significance.

The author does a stellar job of bringing Shanghai and Nanjing…to life.  The Novel…deftly interweaves ancient legend, myth, and folktale with the real historical events that shaped China (and the Hong family) throughout the twentieth century. It’s a fascinating way to learn or revisit historical events like the Japanese invasion of Nanjing or the massacre at Tiananmen Square, especially as it is told from the viewpoint of a person or people we have gotten to know. 

…a remarkable story that encompasses generations and carries thousands of years of tradition. There is a complex interplay of culture and identity at many levels here: from the household to the extended family, to the town or city, then country and effects of a government’s ideology. What happens when a beloved home country becomes something unrecognizable? This book is a meditation on the role of country and culture–of one family’s traditions, secrets, and fate.”  ~Erica Ball, Independent Book Review

"Catherine Wu has a delightful style with laugh-out-loud surprises and delicious irony. You'll love her writing from the first word." ~Lana McAra, award-winning author

“. . . this beautifully penned novel captures the complexity of cultural duality with raw honesty and emotional depth down to the finest brush stroke. I was swept away by the world that Wu invites us into as the novel’s rich, atmospheric settings evoke both China’s traditions and Boston’s modernity with wonderful clashes. . . Mei’s emotional struggle is deeply relatable during her profoundly moving journey of a midlife reckoning. Wu creates a powerful exploration of family, identity, and belonging that leaves you thinking long after you’ve set the book down. Overall, The Moon Goddess's Smile is a gorgeous read that I highly recommend to fans of accomplished cultural dramas.” ~K. C. Finn, Readers’ Favorite

“It will take me a while to ‘recover’ from this gripping, powerful, and heartbreaking tale. The Moon Goddess told Mei to release and grip her past, and she did!  Now, thanks to her release, we readers can also witness history from her personal perspective as we journey into her and her family‘s past.  Readers, take the trip Catherine Wu has created with her amazing pen and stay on the road, be it twisted or straight. You will learn so much about China you may never have learned in school.” ~Patricia Daly-Lipe, PhD, award-winning author, artist, philosopher,  and historian

“Catherine Wu guides the reader through a journey of cultural clashes between her protagonist’s Chinese family’s traditional ways, present-day Chinese society, and her adoptive America’s mores. This is one of those books that makes you feel more intelligent after reading it. I’m looking forward to her next books.”  ~Dr. Edward Mickolus, retired CIA analyst and award-winning co-author of White Noise Whispers

“This soulful and beautifully written story invites readers to contemplate fate and the unforeseen forces shaping our lives. . . Catherine C. Wu creates an outstanding story that explores cultural heritage and its relevance in modern life. Mei’s return becomes a journey of self-discovery. . . As she reconnects with her past, the rising of the full moon enables her to view an unexpected revelation during her trip with clarity. One line from the book that resonated with me is: “Is it good fortune, or a bad omen?” I highly recommend this novel to readers who appreciate fascinating stories on Chinese history and culture, multigenerational family dynamics, and immigrant experiences.” ~Maalin Ogaja, Readers’ Favorite

“I loved the different perspectives of this thought-provoking work.  It got me thinking about the impact of some significant events in Chinese history on ordinary citizens and those who were not totally on board with the radical changes. Catherine ensured that all events were vividly described. The characters are well-developed, and the reader will also appreciate the well-crafted dialogue and the excellent narration, which helped with the overall beauty of the work. I look forward to reading something else by this talented author.”  ~Frank Mutuma, Readers’ Favorite

"Ms. Wu presents us with a solid literary package chock-full of drama, suspense, plot twists, and lively, moving writing that has ‘future TV mini-series’ written all over it. She presents a flowing story upon a river with frequent rapids for the reader to navigate with caution and deliberation.. She will strum the strings of your emotional guitar through the full range of its abilities. Indeed, she is a female Dante who – with her words – paints vivid images of the inferno life sometimes can be. But let me not lead you to conclude this volume is totally ensconced with a venture to the Dark Side. Yes, there are scary moments, but overall, it's a story that will educate, enlighten and entertain anyone who dares to delve into it. Go for it – it's worth the effort." ~Mike Mulhern, author of The Repentant Racist, an Amazon No. 1 bestseller

“. . .  we spend less than a week as Mei travels to her childhood home to help. . . her young male relative. . . finally marry. But in those few days, we accompany her ancestors through generations of fascinating family history – a history that includes war, resistance, and betrayal, as well as faith, persistence, and determination. Along the way, we learn about Chinese art, politics, and culture while experiencing a romantic triangle that keeps us guessing right up until the final, startling revelation that changes everything Mei believes about her marriage and her future. . .”

~ Darlyn Finch Kuhn, author of Red Wax Rose, Sewing Holes, and Three Houses