Eileen Chang’s novel Little Reunions begins amidst the impending war. The story follows Julie Sheng, a young woman studying in Hong Kong who is compelled to escape as Japanese troops invade the city in December 1941. Upon her return to Shanghai, Julie, distanced from her father and with her mother away, resides with her paternal aunt Judy, enduring the war years together. Judy secures a job at a German radio station and engages in a romance with Herr Schütte, the head of the German school in Shanghai. Meanwhile, Julie embarks on her writing career and falls in love with Chi-yung, a political traitor and promiscuous individual. These storylines closely mirror Eileen Chang’s own experiences. Due to its autobiographical nature, Chang hesitated to publish the novel she completed in 1976, which remained unpublished until NYRB Classics released the first English translation by Jane Weizhen Pan and Martin Merz in 2009.
The narrative revolves around themes of reunions, with a focus on Julie’s mother, Rachel, and other family and romantic relationships. The story delves into human connections and the challenges of escaping one’s past, set against the backdrop of a claustrophobic Shanghai.
Rachel, a compelling character, is depicted as a strong yet conflicted figure who influences Julie’s life. The novel explores Rachel’s unconventional choices and the impact on those around her, including her sister-in-law Judy. As the war unfolds, Rachel and Judy navigate diverging paths, with Rachel embracing a life abroad while Judy finds solace in solitude and independence.
The novel portrays the varied paths to independence taken by three women—Rachel, Judy, and Julie—amidst a culture of submission. Inspired by her mother and aunt, Julie emerges as an independent intellectual, embodying the promise of her youth and the strength of her lineage.
Although the timeline spans a short period, the narrative skillfully weaves past, present, and future moments, offering glimpses into Julie’s adulthood and her journey towards self-discovery. Through Chang’s elegant prose, the story seamlessly transitions between time periods, intertwining memories and experiences to explore the essence of identity and family history.
In essence, Little Reunions serves as a rich tapestry of memories, illuminating how the past shapes the present and influences the future. Each memory uncovered within the narrative reveals a complex web of emotions, connecting past pains, possibilities, and victories in a compelling exploration of character and heritage.
