Weike Wang’s novel Rental House is a masterclass in storytelling, weaving together the complexities of modern marriage, cultural identity, and the universal struggle to find meaning in life. Within the first few pages, readers are introduced to Keru and Nate, a married couple whose lives are as layered as the names they debate for their sheepdog puppy. One suggestion, Mantou—a nod to the humble steamed bun—sparks a conversation that’s both humorous and revealing.
“Nate brought up the propensity of yuppie couples to name their expensive dogs after basic starch items…. There was no fruit or vegetable Keru enjoyed enough to dedicate to their dog. She would also not be giving their dog a human name like Stacy. The other possibility was Huajuan, or a fancy-shaped, swirled steam bun. Nate said the word a few times, believing that he was saying the word right, but Keru said that he was saying the word wrong, and though Nate couldn’t hear where he’d gone wrong, and she couldn’t explain it either, he agreed that Mantou was fine.”
This exchange is more than just a quirky anecdote; it’s a microcosm of the broader themes Wang explores. The novel delves into the challenges of communication, the weight of cultural expectations, and the delicate balance of compromise in relationships. Keru, a first-generation Chinese immigrant, and Nate, a son of Appalachia, navigate their differences with a mix of humor and frustration, reflecting the universal struggle of understanding and being understood.
Wang’s narrative is unflinchingly honest,particularly in its portrayal of marriage. Through her third-person omniscient narrator, she questions societal norms, asking, “There is a tendency to take two halves of something and assign them equal weight. Marriage is fifty-fifty, but who said that? Who believes this to be true?” This line cuts to the heart of the novel, challenging readers to reconsider the assumptions they bring to their own relationships.
Family dynamics play a central role in shaping Keru and Nate’s lives. Keru’s desire to honor her chinese heritage without replicating her parents’ struggles is a constant tension. Her mother’s belief that suffering is necessary to avoid complacency looms large, influencing Keru’s choices and self-perception.Simultaneously occurring, nate grapples with his roots in the politically divided Blue Ridge Mountains, where his family’s refusal to adhere to COVID mask mandates becomes a source of friction. Wang captures this tension with precision,quoting Nate’s mother: “Whatever science he believed in,he should also know when to keep it to himself.She wasn’t pushing her science onto him; she wasn’t telling him what to do.”
Despite their professional successes—Keru as a high-earning consultant and Nate as a tenured fruit fly researcher—there’s an underlying emptiness that neither can shake. This void becomes more pronounced during their vacations, which are meant to offer respite but instead amplify their struggles. The first rental home, on Cape Cod, is invaded by visits from both sets of in-laws, while the second, in upstate New York, brings unexpected encounters with neighbors and nate’s troublesome brother. These interruptions force Keru and Nate to confront the reality that their lives outside of work are far from fulfilling.
Keru’s fiery temperament, hinted at during a Halloween party where the couple first meets, adds another layer of complexity.Her tendency to throw things becomes a metaphor for the pent-up frustrations she can’t quiet articulate. Yet, despite their flaws, Wang treats her characters with a tenderness that’s impractical to ignore. Like Chekhov, she finds beauty in their imperfections, offering a poignant reminder that love and connection are worth the effort, even when the path is fraught with challenges.
At its core, Rental House is a story about building a life in a new land, both literally and metaphorically. Keru and Nate’s journey is one of immigration, not just across borders but into the uncharted territory of marriage and self-discovery.With its sharp wit, emotional depth, and richly drawn characters, Wang’s novel is a must-read for anyone seeking a fresh viewpoint on the complexities of modern life.
How does Keru’s temper affect her relationship with Nate?
Interview with Dr. keru Zhang, High-Earning Consultant and Protagonist of Weike wang’s Rental House
Archyde News Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Zhang. Your story in Weike Wang’s Rental House has resonated with so many readers. Let’s dive right in. The novel opens with a humorous yet revealing debate about naming your sheepdog puppy. Can you tell us more about that moment and what it says about your relationship with Nate?
Keru Zhang: Thank you for having me.That moment with the puppy’s name—Mantou—was one of those small, everyday interactions that somehow encapsulates so much about who we are as a couple. Nate and I come from very different backgrounds, and sometimes those differences surface in the most unexpected ways. He wanted something quirky, like naming the dog after a starch, and I wanted something that felt meaningful to me, like a nod to my Chinese heritage. But even in that simple conversation, there was this underlying tension about how we communicate, how we navigate our cultural differences, and how we compromise. It’s funny, but it’s also a little heartbreaking when you think about it.
Archyde: The novel explores the challenges of interaction and cultural expectations in marriage. How do you and Nate navigate those challenges, especially given your different upbringings?
Keru: it’s not easy. I’m a first-generation Chinese immigrant, and Nate grew up in Appalachia. Our families have very different values, and sometimes those values clash. For me, there’s this constant pressure to honor my heritage without repeating the struggles my parents went through. My mother always believed that suffering was necessary to avoid complacency, and that mindset has shaped a lot of my choices. Nate, on the other hand, comes from a family that’s deeply rooted in their own traditions, even when those traditions conflict with modern realities—like their refusal to wear masks during COVID.
Navigating those differences requires a lot of patience and humor. There are moments when we just don’t understand each other,and that can be frustrating. But we’ve also learned to find common ground, even if it’s something as simple as agreeing on a name for our dog.
Archyde: The novel also delves into the idea of marriage as a fifty-fifty partnership. Do you think that’s a realistic expectation?
Keru: [Laughs] That’s a great question.I think the idea of marriage being fifty-fifty is a nice sentiment,but it’s not always realistic. Relationships are messy, and they’re rarely balanced in such a neat way. There are times when I feel like I’m giving more, and times when Nate feels the same way. What’s vital is that we’re both willing to put in the effort, even when it’s hard.
Weike Wang really captures that complexity in the novel. She doesn’t shy away from the difficult moments, and I think that’s what makes the story so relatable. Marriage isn’t about perfection; it’s about finding a way to make it work, even when things are far from perfect.
Archyde: Your professional lives seem successful—you as a high-earning consultant and Nate as a tenured fruit fly researcher. Yet, there’s an underlying emptiness that neither of you can shake. Can you talk about that?
Keru: It’s strange, isn’t it? On paper, we have everything we could want—successful careers, financial stability, a beautiful home. But there’s this lingering sense of emptiness that neither of us can quite put into words. I think part of it is indeed that we’ve both poured so much of ourselves into our work that we’ve neglected other aspects of our lives.
Our vacations are a perfect example of that. We go away hoping to find some kind of fulfillment or connection,but instead,we’re bombarded with visits from family,unexpected encounters with neighbors,and all these interruptions that force us to confront the reality of our lives.It’s like we’re constantly searching for something, but we’re not even sure what it is indeed.
Archyde: Your fiery temperament is another layer of complexity in the novel. How do you think that shapes your relationship with Nate?
Keru: [Smiles] I’ll admit, I have a bit of a temper. It’s something I’ve struggled with for a long time.There’s this scene in the novel where I throw something during a Halloween party, and it’s a moment that really captures my frustration and inability to articulate what I’m feeling.
I think my temper is both a strength and a weakness in my relationship with Nate. On one hand, it forces us to confront issues head-on, even when it’s uncomfortable. Conversely, it can create tension and misunderstandings. But Nate has always been patient with me, even when I’m at my most difficult.
Archyde: what do you hope readers take away from your story in Rental House?
Keru: I hope readers see that relationships are intricate, and that’s okay. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to marriage or life. What’s critically important is that we’re willing to be honest with ourselves and with each other,even when it’s hard.
I also hope the novel sparks conversations about cultural identity, family dynamics, and the ways we navigate our differences. These are universal struggles, and I think Weike Wang does an unbelievable job of capturing them with humor, honesty, and compassion.
Archyde: Thank you, Dr. Zhang, for sharing your insights. Your story is a powerful reminder of the beauty and complexity of human relationships.
Keru: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure.
