PLOT (SYNOPSIS)

The novel, The Kitchen GodÂ’s Wife is a true-life story told by a mother (Winnie) to her daughter (Pearl). She relates the incidents that had occurred in her life when she was in China. The story involves two families - the Kwongs and the Louies. Both the families have now settled in America. Winnie and her family are the Louies whereas Helen, her friend, is a member of the Kwong family. After settling in San Francisco, Helen and Winnie jointly own a flower shop.

Two significant occasions - celebration and mourning - requires the presence of both the families. Roger KwongÂ’s (Bao-Bao) engagement calls for a celebration while Auntie DuÂ’s death is the reason for mourning. As per Auntie DuÂ’s will, Pearl gets a beautiful table alter in which the statue of the Kitchen God is prominent.

The mother, Winnie and the daughter, Pearl has hidden from each other certain facts of their own lives. Helen knows both their secrets and she threatens them that she would disclose everything if they did not tell each other the truth. Winnie is compelled to tell to her daughter about her past, which she had kept hidden from her for so long.

Hearing her motherÂ’s story, Pearl is shocked to know that maybe her father is the arrogant Wen fu. Encouraged by her motherÂ’s frankness, Pearl too reveals that she is suffering from multiple sclerosis. Winnie attributes her illness to be Wen FuÂ’s fault. Winnie insists that there is a cure for multiple sclerosis. Helen, Winnie and Pearl plan to go to China for Chinese herbs to treat PearlÂ’s illness.

To ward all misfortunes and to bring good luck and happiness, Winnie replaces the Kitchen God’s statue with a beautiful porcelain statue of ‘Lady Sorrowfree.’ Together, mother and daughter light the incense sticks, hopeful of a brighter future.

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