- The author had a settled life in Houston. What prompts her to leave it all behind?
- The author is enchanted with Hawaii when she visits but feels out of place when she lives there. What changes?
- How would you characterize the author’s relationship with her family in the early part of the book?
- What role does the author’s age play in her experiences? How do her self-image and experience compare to your expectations for someone of that age?
- The author describes herself as a timid introvert. Do you agree? How does personality help or hinder our ability to cross social barriers?
- Early in the book, the author sees an unconventional therapist. Why do you think she included this section in the book?
- As a white woman, how does the author view herself in relation to the non-white communities she encounters in Houston, Hawaii, and Hong Kong?
- What cultural differences do the author and her boyfriend/husband discover between them and how do they negotiate those differences?
- When the two families visit Hawaii, what differences does the author sees between them? Do you think these families are typical or unique?
- When the couple goes to Hong Kong for the first time, what situations provoke culture shock for the author? Have you had similar experiences?
- When the couple moves to Hong Kong, what differences does the author see between Chinese and American customs? Which ones does she admire?
- Were you familiar with the seasonal festivals and practices described by the author? Does your community have similar practices?
- Toward the end of their stay on Cheung Chau, the author describes herself as being both an insider and an outsider. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each role?
- What tools does the author ultimately use to overcome culture shock and cultural differences with her Chinese family?
- In what ways does the author experience “reverse culture shock” when she returns to her American family?
- How have the author’s perceptions changed by the end of the book?
- Why did the author choose to begin and end her story with the jade bracelet?
- What would you say is the central theme or message of this book?