Waxwings

In Waxwings, two immigrants chase their American Dreams, only to find their lives intertwined in unforeseen and challenging ways.

In Waxwings, Jonathan Raban presents a poignant exploration of contemporary America through the intertwined lives of two immigrants. At the dawn of the new millennium, Tom Janeway, a Hungarian-born English intellectual, seeks the family he never thought he would have. Meanwhile, Chick, an illegal alien who has just escaped from a cargo container, dreams of the abundant opportunities he envisioned back in China. Their journeys converge in unexpected ways, as they navigate the complexities of their new lives in a country filled with both promise and peril.

As the stock market reaches unprecedented heights, the streets erupt in anti-globalist riots, and a child goes missing, the fragile dreams of Tom and Chick begin to unravel. Tom finds himself unjustly accused of a horrific crime, leading to a painful estrangement from his wife and young son. On the other hand, Chick's entrepreneurial spirit flourishes during the day, but he faces the harsh reality of having no safe place to call home at night. The narrative deftly illustrates how the New World is often shadowed by old struggles and societal challenges.

Waxwings is a moving and humorous tale that captures the essence of the American experience, revealing the stark contrasts between dreams and reality. Through rich storytelling and vivid characterizations, Raban invites readers to reflect on the complexities of identity, belonging, and the pursuit of happiness in a rapidly changing world.