Description
In Waxwings, Jonathan Raban, acclaimed author of Passage to Juneau, presents a deeply atmospheric and poignant novel set in Seattle during the tech-driven boom of the late 1990s. Amid the rising virtual world of the Gold Rush, Raban’s narrative contrasts the dreams of two immigrants who have arrived in Seattle seeking the American Dream. Tom Janeway, a Hungarian-born Englishman, finds fulfillment in his wife and son—something he never imagined possible. Meanwhile, Chick, an illegal alien from Fujian province, is drawn to the land of opportunity he envisioned from afar. Their unlikely connection, based on mutual need, forms the heart of the novel as they navigate a city in flux.
Seattle’s boomtown culture is reflected through the intertwined lives of these characters as they struggle to make a living and find meaning in a world obsessed with technology and material success. The city, with its growing unrest and uncertainty, serves as a vivid backdrop to the personal and social crises that unfold. As technology transforms the landscape, the characters must contend with their own humanity, identity, and the very concept of home. With tensions rising and the NASDAQ index soaring, Waxwings explores the shifting values and complex emotions that define this turbulent era.
Raban’s writing has been praised for its lyrical beauty, insight into the human condition, and its rich portrayal of a society at the crossroads of progress and disillusionment. This novel will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven stories that probe the intersection of personal ambition, societal change, and the quest for belonging in an ever-changing world.
