Skip to product information
REVIEWED

Joan is Okay

Regular price $29.99
Sale price $29.99 Regular price
Sale
Sold out
Tax included.

A wry and insightful portrait of contemporary life, this is the much-anticipated follow-up to the award-winning novel Chemistry.

Joan is a thirty-something ICU doctor at a busy New York City hospital. She is intensely devoted to her work and happily solitary, but she sometimes wonders where her true roots lie — at the hospital, where her white coat makes her feel needed, or with her family, who try to shape her life according to their cultural and social expectations.

After moving to the United States to secure the American dream for their children, Joan's parents have returned to China, hoping to spend the rest of their lives in their homeland now that Joan and her brother are well established in their careers. But when her father suddenly dies, a series of events sends Joan spiralling out of her comfort zone, forcing her to consider her life anew.

Deceptively spare, quietly powerful and shot through with sharp humour, Joan Is Okay is a portrait of a marvellously surprising woman you won't forget.


Add To Wishlist
  • Free Shipping for orders $150+



Amplify Recommends

Reviewed by Marina

A wry and insightful portait of contemporary life, JOAN IS OKAY is decepively spare, quietly powerful, and shot through with sharp humour.

Among its other merits, Joan is Okay offers insights into the meaning of family, home, and belonging. Set in a very contemporary 2019 into 2020, this book reads from the particular perspective of a Chinese American frontline worker in New York City, who sees herself as a doctor first, person second.

Though the subject matter may sound bleak, this delightful little novel offers plenty of laughs and remains detached enough to keep you going. Wang's artful writing intimately familiarises you with our protagonist and the unique way that she sees the world.

Read more book reviews
An <em>anti-racist</em> social enterprise bookstore specialising in BIPOC books.
About Amplify Bookstore

An anti-racist social enterprise bookstore specialising in BIPOC books.

Only about 11% of books published are by BIPOC authors — so unless you specifically seek out books by BIPOC authors, you aren't likely to find very many of them organically. At Amplify, BIPOC authors are highlighted and celebrated. Here, they don't have to fight to be seen, and you don't have to fight to find them.

We hope that in our shop, you can discover a new favourite read, find stories that speak uniquely to you, learn about a culture outside your own (or more about your own histories), and gain a better understanding of the systems that connect us all.

Learn more about us

I’ve discovered so many new-to-me authors and the owners are so generous in their recommendations. Don’t follow the trends, set them! - let Amplify broaden your reading and sharpen your mind.

- Danielle B

If you're looking to expand your book collection to hear voices, perspectives and stories that aren't on blast from mainstream outlets then make your way here as quickly as you can.

- Samantha S

Within are thoughtfully curated books, and I was amazed to see a great diversity of authors. The atmosphere is cosy, calm and relaxed – just the perfect way to start my Sunday!

- Michelle W

I loved how inclusive this space was, there were dyslexia friendly books and a space for books about queer love, a bit of something for everyone.

- Sherine A

Looking for something super specific?

Have a scroll through our tag directory to help direct your search and bring you to curated collections, as grouped by subgenres, identity markers, and more!

Have a scroll!