The Piano Teacher by Janice Y. K. Lee
Claire comes to Hong Kong from England in 1953 with her new husband, not knowing what to expect. She takes a job teaching piano to the daughter of a wealthy couple, and then finds herself having an affair with their British driver, Will.
The story jumps back to the early forties, when Hong Kong was a rollicking good time. Will met Trudy then, a Eurasian socialite. They went to parties and fell in love. But then the war started, and Japan invaded. It was a different world, and Trudy stayed on the outside while Will went into imprisonment. Trudy did what she felt she had to do to survive, and Will was confused about whether his behavior was honorable or cowardice.
Claire knew none of this. Just that Will was sullen and not in their relationship for love. But eventually the truth starts coming out about a high-level scandal and all hell breaks loose.
General consensus: A fantastic first novel. Keeps your interest first through character development, and then through the plot.
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