The Kitchen God's Wife Summary

Pearl Louie Brandt, a speech therapist of Chinese descent residing in San Jose, is reluctantly persuaded by her mother, Winnie Louie, to attend her cousin Bao-Bao's engagement party in San Francisco. Despite her more profound connection with her American identity, Pearl agrees to attend the celebration out of obligation. Just days before the party, Winnie informs Pearl of Auntie Du's death, scheduling the funeral right after the engagement party, adding to Pearl's stress. Pearl sets off to San Francisco, accompanied by her husband and their daughters, Tessa and Cleo.

Upon reaching her childhood home, Pearl's aunt, Helen, urges her to disclose her multiple sclerosis diagnosis to her mother, Winnie. The entire family is aware of Pearl's condition, except Winnie, and Helen doesn't want to die with this secret. Later, Helen challenges Winnie to share her hidden past with Pearl, using her benign tumor as a catalyst. Winnie, known as Weili in China, has endured a life of hardship, abandonment, and abusive marriage. She opens up about her traumatic past, revealing her friendship with Helen and her escape to the US due to her alliance with Helen, who was falsely introduced as her brother's wife.

The story takes a different turn when Winnie opens up about her past life in China. She shares her painful experiences, including her abusive marriage to Wen Fu, who tormented her physically and emotionally; the loss of several children, and the friendship she found in Helen during the war. She surprised Pearl by revealing that Pearl's real father was Wen Fu, who forced himself on her before she could escape her marriage. Winnie expresses her relief upon learning about Wen Fu's death, freeing her from his threats. Pearl reciprocates by revealing her disease to her mother. As the novel concludes, Pearl and Winnie share a better understanding of each other, and Helen plans a trip to China for the three women.