The Fortunes of Jaded Women

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For fans of Jonathan Tropper and Kevin Kwan, this debut follows a family of estranged Vietnamese women, cursed to never know love or happiness, as they reunite after a psychic's startling prediction. In Orange County’s Little Saigon, the Duong sisters bear a curse that began with their ancestor, Oanh, who left her marriage for true love, incurring the wrath of a witch. This curse ensures the Duong women will only have daughters, never sons. Mai Nguyen, Oanh’s current descendant, is well aware of this legacy. Divorced and estranged from her younger sisters, Minh Pham and Khuyen Lam, Mai struggles with her adult daughters’ love lives, which are as tumultuous as her own. Seeking guidance, she consults Auntie Hua, her trusted psychic, who predicts a marriage, a funeral, and the birth of a son within the year. This prophecy sets the stage for a reunion of estranged mothers, daughters, aunts, and cousins, leading to moments of mourning, meddling, celebrating, and healing. The narrative is rich with levity and candor, showcasing how Vietnamese women rise above challenges, even when the odds are stacked against them.