What an interesting look at something so powerful. The character driven novel was hard to stop listening too due to the intensity of the storyline woven in. I would highly reccommend this book.

Jennifer Haigh's Rabbit Moon is a masterful exploration of family, identity, and cultural intersections, set against the vibrant backdrop of Shanghai. The novel begins with a tragic hit-and-run accident that leaves Lindsey Litvak, a young American woman teaching English in China, in a coma. As her divorced parents rush to her side, they confront not only the mysteries of Lindsey's life abroad but also the unresolved fractures within their own family. Haigh's storytelling moves seamlessly between past and present, weaving together Lindsey’s fragmented narrative with the perspectives of her parents and younger sister Grace. The richly drawn characters grapple with themes of love, betrayal, and the consequences of choices—both personal and societal. Shanghai itself emerges as a dynamic character, its bustling streets and cultural contrasts mirroring the complexities of the Litvak family's journey. With lyrical prose and poignant insights into human frailty, Rabbit Moon is a deeply affecting novel that lingers long after its final page. Haigh’s ability to delve into profound issues like adoption ethics and familial alienation while maintaining an engaging narrative cements her as one of contemporary literature’s finest voices.

Jennifer Haigh’s Rabbit Moon is the beautifully tragic story of a family whose lives are forever changed when the oldest daughter becomes the victim of a hit-and-run driver in China. Lindsey’s divorced parents have to put aside their differences and travel to Shanghai - she hadn’t told them that she moved there from Beijing the year before - to try to piece together the details of her new life.

Years before the accident, Lindsey had traveled to China with her mother Claire to adopt her little sister Grace. The journey had left her with many conflicted feelings and after deciding that Wesleyan wasn’t the right place for her, Lindsey decided to return to Grace’s birthplace. She tells her parents that she is teaching English there but the clothes in her luxury apartment in Shanghai tell a different story. Claire and Aaron fight against the language barrier and their own personal differences to uncover the path that Lindsey had ultimately taken.

This is a heartbreaking and insightful literary masterpiece that was made even more captivating by the fabulous narration. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC that introduced me to some of the most flawed and interesting characters I’ve ever met.

This is one of those rare immersive novels that delivers more than it promises. Beginning with a hit-and-run that spreads its effect on everyone connected to the victim, it covers not only family dynamics but individual identity, intellectual curiosity regarding cultural commonality as well as difference. Everyone associated with Lindsay thought they really knew her, but in Haigh's deft handling, the reader is the only one who knows the entire story. She is adept at creating characterizations for everyone even those who only had tangential contact, including her landlord, but most notably her sister who was closest to her. The final section, as narrated by that sister, covers even wider spectrums of influence, holding interest until the final page is turned. Highly recommended.

Lindsey is the victim of a hit and run driver in Shanghai. Her parents will go to her bedside, despite being divorced. Language is an issue to be faced together in this family’s trauma.

A moving, well written novel. Good characters who will reflect on their relationships. How do you help a daughter lying in bed in a coma wh3n you know so little of her life in China? Excellent storytelling.

I absolutely adored this novel. It encompasses everything I desire in a book—an abundance of drama, rich character development, an engaging narrative, and a gripping plotline.

Lindsey Litvak, whose parents believe she is in Beijing, China, teaching English as a Second Language, is actually in Shanghai. One fateful night, she becomes the victim of a hit-and-run that leaves her clinging to life in a Chinese hospital. In a coma and sustained by tubes and sheer determination, her divorced parents, Claire and Aaron, perplexed by their daughter’s situation, rush to Shanghai to be by her side. They remain unaware of her true activities in Shanghai or the reasons behind her departure from Beijing.

Grace, Lindsey’s younger adopted sister, is deeply concerned for Lindsey. Adopted from China and raised in the United States by the Litvak family, Grace has always shared a close bond with Lindsey. Typically, they exchange texts frequently, but when Lindsey suddenly stops responding, Grace's worry intensifies. Currently at a Quaker sleepaway camp, she is oblivious to the grave nature of her sister's accident.

Unknown to her parents, Lindsey isn’t teaching English at all. Instead, she is entangled in a dubious situation she has kept secret from them. Her only close friend, a gay hairstylist, goes to great lengths to avoid facing Lindsey’s parents upon their arrival in Shanghai.

What a great book!
The writing and the narration is excellent.
A very deep and complex story..
I will definitely be recommending to all.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio and author Jennifer Haigh for gifting me an ALC of Rabbit Moon. In exchange I offer my honest review. As this was an audiobook, I also wish to acknowledge Katharine Chin and Yu-Li Alice Shen, whose narration added deep enjoyment and depth to the novel.

Rabbit Moon begins with an impactful and atmospheric opening paragraph and then holds you captive for an emotionally charged reading experience. It’s a multi layered story ( my favorite kind), slowly revealing the secrets and events that led to the fracture and splinter of the Litvak Family. It’s best knowing little and slowly discovering the hidden truths and troubling causes that have brought Lindsay Litvak, a young college aged student from Massachusetts, to China and the impact her decision has on her estranged parents and younger sister. The author did a phenomenal job on highlighting the grittiness and dark side of Shanghai, as well as creating honest and interesting characters.
Highly recommended on audio.

Really happy I chose to listen to this one because the narrators really brought the mood and atmosphere with their narration.

A family drama tied up in a mystery, these are two genres that blend so well especially when brilliantly plotted by Haig.

The first half of the book takes some time, there are some choices I had a hard time understanding but when we get the flipped perspective in the second half of the book it all marries beautifully together..

A read that is worth the final results.

I just finished listening to a great book. Rabbit Moon by Jennifer Haigh was so enjoyable. Pick it up soon.

The story was deep and slow-burning, drawing me in with each layer that was revealed. A hit-and-run brings the family together, but it also exposes secrets they weren’t ready to confront. As they gathered in Shanghai, the daughter’s life, which her parents thought they knew, was revealed to be entirely different. Only her sister had known parts of the truth, but even that came with its own weight—a separate tragedy to bear.

Listening to the audiobook, I was completely absorbed in the family’s journey as they uncovered these hidden truths. The emotions were subtle yet intense, each revelation adding grief and guilt to the mix. The family was forced to come to terms with the life their daughter had lived, and with each new detail, the story’s impact grew.

The hit-and-run was the event that set everything in motion, but the real focus was on how the family dealt with the painful truths they didn’t know. It was about how those truths reshaped their relationships and lives. Listening to the book, I could feel the weight of those emotions, watching as each secret unraveled.

The experience didn’t end when the audiobook finished. The emotions, the grief, and the tension stayed with me, quietly echoing in my thoughts long after it was over.

Rabbit Moon: A Novel by Jennifer Haigh while exquisitely written felt as if the author was not sure what the plot was. It felt as if it had three different plotlines that were not well integrated. The best and most developed story was that of Lindsey’s adopted sister, and Grace’s story really should have been the focus of the group as she is the best developed character.

The narrations by both Katharine Chin and Yu-Li Alice Shen were amazing. The depth and breadth of their vocal range made it very easy to follow what felt like a uneven story, I normally don’t separate the rating for the narration and story but it would do a great disservice to the narrators in this case if I did not. The story gets 3 stars, narration 5 stars.

Thank you to Hachette Audio | Little, Brown & Company for the opportunity to listen to this ALC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4 Stars
Narration Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Apr 01 2025

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The narrators of this audiobook were so good. It really made the story come alive. I followed the characters with bated breath and just couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. It is heavy subject matter and parts are very sad. A few of the characters were quite unlikeable but it fit with the story that was being told.

The backstory of the Chinese adoption and having Grace’s perspective wrap up the book was very satisfying !

*Edited post…My apologies for my original unfair review, after speaking with a friend, I realized I fell asleep while listening to the last 1/3 of this story and have written a new review.*
I’ve read and enjoyed Jennifer Haigh books and was looking forward to this one as well.
This was a tragic novel about a fractured family and all they endured especially the two young sisters who loved one another very much.
It’s mainly told from the POV of Lindsey and then towards the end we hear from Grace. She told a beautiful story and my heart broke for her losses.
Most of the characters touched me deeply, Lindsey, Grace, Claire and sweet Johnny. Such a heartbreaking story for all involved.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to read this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Twenty-two year old Lindsey is struck by a drunk driver in Shanghai and lies comatose. Her parents fly to be by her bedside, unsure she will survive her head wound. Her younger sister Grace is away at summer camp and is kept in the dark about Lindsey’s condition. Young, brilliant, but deeply troubled, Lindsay has led a secret life in Shanghai, the truth of which unfolds slowly. Rabbit Moon is a portrait of a family in crisis and it tackles many issues: post-natal depression, divorce cause by crisis, the ensuing trauma of divorce, foreign adoption, sibling bonds, and sexual abuse of a minor.

Rabbit Moon is a deeply affecting novel with well formed characters and setting. Haigh has a unique ability to craft characters of depth and they broke my heart.

Highly recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Katharine Chin and Yu-Li Alice Shen do a fantastic job narrating this story and making it come to life.

Lindsey, an American student teaching English in China, is hit by a car leaving her unconscious, her divorced parents travel to Shanghai and try to navigate a completely foreign society. Soon they find out that Lindsey is not a teacher but works for an escort service.

This is a slower paced novel that explores relationships, friendships, family, marriage, divorce and adoption. Definitely worth the read.

Thank you #hachetteaudio for the free alcohol of Rabbit Moon. All opinions are honestly and my own.

The story: Rabbit Moon starts with a hit-and-run: Lilly/Lindsay is living and working in Shanghai when she is hit by a car in the early morning hours. We then learn about Lindsay’s lifer — how she came to China to teach English, and her family life back at home in Newton, Massachusetts. Her parents are divorced. Her 11-year-old sister, Grace, is at camp in New Hampshire. This is a slow burn family drama with some mystery to it.

My thoughts: Haight developed the characters in this book in a way that made them jump to life. This book won’t be for everyone, but I enjoy family dramas. The change of narrator late in the book was a bit jarring on audio, but it didn’t detract from the book for me.

I listened to the audio version of this book which was narrated by Katherine Chin (Lindsay) and Yu-Li Alice Shen (Grace). The narration was excellent and movingly read by both women.

The main part of the novel is Lindsay's story which starts with an horrific accident which leaves Lindsay in a coma. We then follow what led to her ending up in hospital, which us a catalogue of events that I felt angry and sad about. Lindsay is a natural adventurer and after her parents adopt a younger daughter from China, Lindsay learns the language and then travels to the country ostensibly to teach English with her boyfriend.

Her story follows one difficulty after another as she finds herself prey to older men who find her beauty mesmerising. Lindsay is either unwilling or unable to see these men for the predators they are, believing them to love her.

During a lot of Lindsay's story I felt quite irritated by her poor decision making but then I am much older than the character and more jaded by life. Who is to say that any of us would make the same decisions in the same circumstances.

I had this book down as a solid three but then Grace, the adopted sister, takes up the story and her experiences added so much to Lindsay's story. It felt a much more believable account and I had to check a couple of times that this was a work of fiction. This part of the novel added so much more to the main body.

It is a sad story with some difficult issues being tackled - adoption, child abuse, sexual violence and death. It is worth the journey.

Recommended.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the audio advance review copy.

I can't say much without spoilers, but this was very well done, and in a suprising way at the end. I appreciate the characterization.


Review copy provided by publisher.