Book Review: Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Dial A for Aunties

by Jesse Q Sutanto (Sutanto)

 

As I read Dial A for Aunties, I kept thinking — this book could be a movie. It has wacky characters. It has comic situations. It has a romantic plot line to boot. So when I got to the Acknowledgments, I was not surprised to discover that “Dial A for Aunties” will be featured on Netflix in the near future.

 

Meddeline Chan is waiting for the family curse to kick in. The men in her family either die or leave. The curse has followed the women in her family from China to San Gabriel, California. And so Meddy feels too guilty to move out and leave Big Aunt, Second Aunt, Ma, and Fourth Aunt. She abandons her hopes of a career in art photography and the college love-of-her-life to live with her Aunties and become the wedding photographer in their family wedding business with the motto, “Don’t leave your big day to chance, leave it to the Chans!” Big Aunt does the food, Second Aunt the hair and makeup, Ma does the flowers, and Fourth Aunt is the lead in the wedding band.

 

Sister jealousy and the generational age gap causes a good deal of comic relief. But in spite of their conflicts, the family would do anything for one another, even move a dead body. Ma arranges a blind date for Meddy. But when things don’t go as planned, her date ends up dead and the Aunties agree to help hide the body — all the while preparing for a big wedding for two rich families at a new resort island hotel. Hilarity ensues, and lo and behold the old college flame reenters the scene, creating another plot twist.

 

I would definitely recommend Dial A for Aunties to anyone looking for a comic, light-hearted read. It is a celebration of the fierce love a Chinese family has for one another. Plus it is the first in a new series, to boot!

[ official Dial A for Aunties page on the official Jesse Sutanto web site ]

 

Recommended by Cindy K.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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