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White Ivy

By: Susie Yang
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
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Publisher's summary

“A truly addictive read” (Glamour) about how a young woman’s crush on a privileged former classmate becomes a story of love, lies, and dark obsession, offering stark insights into the immigrant experience, as it hurtles to its electrifying ending in this “twisty, unputdownable, psychological thriller” (People).

Ivy Lin is a thief and a liar - but you’d never know it by looking at her.

Raised outside of Boston, Ivy’s immigrant grandmother relies on Ivy’s mild appearance for cover as she teaches her granddaughter how to pilfer items from yard sales and second-hand shops. Thieving allows Ivy to accumulate the trappings of a suburban teen - and, most importantly, to attract the attention of Gideon Speyer, the golden boy of a wealthy political family. But when Ivy’s mother discovers her trespasses, punishment is swift and Ivy is sent to China, and her dream instantly evaporates.

Years later, Ivy has grown into a poised yet restless young woman, haunted by her conflicting feelings about her upbringing and her family. Back in Boston, when Ivy bumps into Sylvia Speyer, Gideon’s sister, a reconnection with Gideon seems not only inevitable - it feels like fate.

Slowly, Ivy sinks her claws into Gideon and the entire Speyer clan by attending fancy dinners, and weekend getaways to the cape. But just as Ivy is about to have everything she’s ever wanted, a ghost from her past resurfaces, threatening the nearly perfect life she’s worked so hard to build.

Filled with surprising twists and a nuanced exploration of class and race, White Ivy is a “highly entertaining,” (The Washington Post) “propulsive debut” (San Francisco Chronicle) that offers a glimpse into the dark side of a woman who yearns for success at any cost.

©2020 Susie Yang. All rights reserved. (P)2020 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Critic reviews

"Narrator Emily Woo Zeller skillfully steers the dramatic plot of this audiobook. . . . Zeller is commendable in breathing life into the mostly Asian characters. As Ivy, she is a reserved but cunning woman; as Sylvia, Ivy's friend, she is sweet and confident. Zeller's outstanding storytelling also elevates the work's twists and the harsh reality of the immigrant experience." (LitHub)

"Narrator Emily Woo Zeller gives a brilliant performance, bringing a chilling, hard edge to Ivy’s interior calculations, but also capturing the woman’s anguish, causing listeners to feel some sympathy for this complex, if ruthless, character." (Washington Post)

Editor's Pick

Did someone say “dark obsession”? Sign me up!
Literary thrillers are my jam—I love a dark, escapist tale that is beautifully crafted and has something to say—so White Ivy had my attention as one of fall’s most anticipated debuts. Susie Yang, a former tech entrepreneur, is well on her way to a brilliant literary career with the creation of Ivy, an unforgettable antiheroine with a talent for lying and stealing—the latter honed by her immigrant grandmother, Meifung, in Boston’s outskirts. But when Ivy’s mother finds out, she sends her daughter back to China, far out of reach from Ivy’s crush and grand ambitions. But such hiccups are no match for Ivy, whose single-minded pursuit of a specific happily-ever-after must also confront class, prejudice, and her own best interest. Read by one of my favorite narrators, Emily Woo Zeller, White Ivy is the coming-of-age suspense I didn’t know I needed—but I definitely did. —Kat J., Audible Editor

What listeners say about White Ivy

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wow!

who would have expected the ending in this book.. at first it was slow and I almost put it aside...

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Yikes

The story was fine and I enjoyed the writing. I just never want to hear Emily Woo Zeller narrate anything else, ever again in my life.

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very good

I needed a new book for my commute of 3.5 hours round trip. this was on TODAY with Jenna Bush. Grateful for the suggestion!

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3 people found this helpful

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White Ivy was a really great book!

It was very interesting. I could'nt stop reading and i would highly recommend this book!

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Depressing

I enjoyed certain sections of this book, more than others.
But, I found Ivy’s constant monologues Of the thoughts in her head annoying and way over descriptive. I thought the author went into too much detail.

Overall a good read, but often depressing

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Talented Author!!!!

I’ve never heard of Susie Yang before but I must say that she is now on my watch list! She is a literary beast with a keen anthropological and sociological eye . Phenomenal description of the immigrant experience and its psychological effects. With more work and dedication, she could be truly great. Like the potential to be even greater than Patricia Highsmith. Author is not just smart but broad in her perspective.

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Got totally into this book

A great listen. Ivy character very complex. Loved the narration. Showed the complexities of upbringings.

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Superbly written.

Loved it. A talented writer and Emily Woo Zeller delivers the story so well. Kept me gripped and entertained throughout my long drives.

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sadly just ok. 😒 Although, very descriptive .

The story had constant undertones of cultural divisions and immigration. However, the main charter emobied a person struggling with significant mental health/ illnesses. The first 15 chapters were tough..but built some speed, but for me left an ending that continued a charade.

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Crazy Story

Good writing, lots of twists and turns, and a crazy story. Read in 2 days.

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3 people found this helpful