Printable Book Club Questions for Homeseeking by Karissa Chen

What does the term ‘homeseeking’ mean in relation to the story?
What is your definition of home? Is it a place, family, neighborhood, or something else?
What was your opinion on the alternating view point, where one narrative moves backward in time while the other moves forward?
Why are Suchi and Haiwen so drawn to each other? Do you believe they are soul mates? Why or why not?
When we meet Haiwen and Suchi in their late 70s in LA, Haiwen is stuck thinking about the past, and full of regrets, while Suchi has lived her life moving forward and not dwelling on the past. Let’s discuss these two different approach to processing their own traumas.
Haiwen’s decision to secretly enlist in the Nationalist Army in China in 1947 changed everything for him, his family, and Suchi as well. Let’s first discuss why Haiwen came to this decision.
How would have things turned out differently if Haiwen hadn’t enlisted?
There is quite a bit of historical context in the story from Japan’s occupation of Shanghai to the eventual civil war within China to complicated histories of Hong Kong and Taiwan. Did you learn anything new while reading this story? And on the same note, did it inspire you to research more about the real historical events?
Suchi’s father is quite progressive, and does not want to see his daughters become ‘just’ wives and mothers. How did this pressure impact Suchi and her sister, Sulan?
Why was Haiwen so drawn to music? Why do you think the war stripped him of his love for music? What was the key event that brought music back to him?
For Haiwen, while he’s lived with life of regrets, guilt and shame for enlisting and leaving Suchi and his family behind, in some ways, his life may have turned out better than if he would have stayed. He was able to marry, have children and work a stable job. Let’s discuss Haiwen’s persistent guilt about his decision, despite him experiencing some happier aspects during his life too.
Suchi is often left without a choice. Her parents seeing the chaos within mainland China, send Suchi and Sulan to Hong Kong. She is forced to work any kind of job, while Sulan experiences a health emergency. What were your thoughts on Suchi’s storyline and where her life lead?
After years apart, Suchi and Haiwen run into each other in Hong Kong. What did you make of their reunion? Did you understand why Haiwen couldn’t stay with Suchi in the end?
Years later, why didn’t Haiwen contact Suchi when Sulan told him how unhappy she was in her marriage?
Haiwen eventually returns to Shanghai, but his siblings are quite fractured. What did this trip reveal to Haiwen?
Choices are a big theme of this novel. Let’s discuss some of the key choices in this novel and the impact of these choices.
Eventually, Suchi and Haiwen reunite. And despite the uncertainty, Suchi chooses to accept the past, and also continue to move forward. What were your thoughts about their reuniting after all these years?
What happens in Shanghai when Suchi sees her mother again?
What are your thoughts on the last chapter focusing on Haiwen and Suchi’s mothers?