The perspective switches sporadically between the members of the Lee family, but the transitions are seamless because of each character’s distinct voice. The characters’ ever-present internal conflict calls attention to their human complexities as well as Ng’s fine prose. He also pressures Lydia to be popular among friends. James is unfair - often cruel - to Nath for being small, uninterested in sports - and, get this - Chinese. James and Marilyn don’t want their kids to face the same judgment they were exposed to, yet they’re the ones inflicting that judgment upon themselves more than anyone. Ironically, these forms of discrimination, which originated in societal culture, are extremely present inside the Lee household. Marilyn wants to be a doctor, but then forces that ambition onto Lydia when Marilyn loses her own chance. This time period finds women beginning to take on predominantly male roles. And sexism is a prevalent issue, as well. The Lees are discriminated against as, it seems, the only Chinese-American family settled in their town.

The Lees - apart from Marilyn - face daily harassment for their Chinese heritage, and Marilyn becomes estranged from her mother because of her interracial marriage. The plot takes place during a period in which being anything other than white in America is looked down upon. The author touches on discrimination in a few different ways, which makes this story stand out from a typical family drama novel.

The Lee family’s internal struggles often stem from external factors - the most crippling being discrimination.

Things i never told you