BOOKMONGER
Novel focuses on life as an expat spouse
‘When in Vanuatu’ follows a woman struggling to become pregnant
Even life in a tropical paradise has its
ups and downs. Author Nicki Chen, of
Edmonds, Washington, addresses pain
and sunshine in her new novel, “When in
Vanuatu.”
Drawing on two decades of experience
as an expat wife who lived in the Philip-
pines and the South Pacifi c, Chen recre-
ates that world of privilege, globalism and
culture clash for the novel’s story of a
woman dealing with fertility issues as her
husband pursues his dream job in interna-
tional aid.
Diana is in her mid-30s. She gave up
her accounting job in Seattle to follow Jay
to Manila with the expectation that they
would begin their family and she would
devote her time to raising their children.
But after years of trying, she has not got-
ten pregnant. Her obstetrician advises her
to do a better job of relaxing.
This is beyond frustrating — it’s infu-
The Franklin
Apartments
riating. Diana doesn’t have the pres-
sures of a job and, in the expected
This week’s book
expat fashion, she already has a
‘When in Vanuatu’ by Nicki Chen
live-in maid. What more can she pos-
She Writes Press — 316 pages —
sibly do to relax?
Perhaps it has something to do with
her surroundings. It is the late 1980s,
the Philippines emerged from Ferdi-
tion to both the calendar and the
nand Marcos’ brutal kleptocracy. Now, the mechanics of lovemaking do
new president, Cory Aquino, is dealing
tend to take a toll.
with multiple coup attempts. Manila is fre-
Chen recreates in pungent
quently wracked by violence. Adding to
detail the settings that Diana
the tension are frequent power blackouts
and Jay navigate, from Manila’s
that occur in the capital city.
clogged city streets to the pris-
Diana learns that one of her friends,
tine beaches of Vanuatu. She
also an expat wife, will be leaving soon
introduces readers to exotic
because her husband’s job is being relo-
foods, tropical fl owers and
cated to the sleepy island nation of Vanu-
the expat community’s go-to
atu. Diana gets the idea that maybe Jay can hangouts.
get a transfer too.
However, it may be discon-
She becomes single-minded in advo-
certing how nonchalantly the
cating for this — but when Jay eventually
“servant class” is regarded, with
acquiesces and Diana gets her wish, there
the main characters only occa-
are still the stressful details of packing up,
sionally contemplating what
fi nding new housing and settling into new
their live-in maid might be feel-
routines in a very diff erent setting.
ing or thinking. This is a foreign
So when does the relaxation begin?
concept that could have used
Chen ably captures the complicated
more exploration.
range of emotions that accompany infer-
While “When in Vanuatu” occurs in
tility — humiliation, frustration and even
some fascinating locations and includes
devastation. And while each partner in the
some harrowing incidents, this novel’s
relationship may experience infertility dif- focus clearly is on Diana’s more personal,
ferently, the necessarily assiduous atten-
internal journey.
The Bookmonger is Barbara Lloyd McMi-
chael, who writes this weekly column focus-
ing on the books, authors and publishers of
the Pacifi c Northwest. Contact her at bar-
baralmcm@gmail.com.
Continued from Page 10
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be hosting two talented glass artists: Beth
Anders, who creates fused glass, and Mar-
garet Joyce Van Duine, whose focus is
reverse-painted glass.
In June, Kerstin Mckee Art will bring
a pottery collection. The gallery will host
Erika Laureano Design, a high-end jew-
eler from North Bend, for a trunk show over
Fourth of July weekend.
Another goal of Salemann’s, as she con-
tinues to work in property management as a
side business, is to purchase real estate for
aff ordable housing for retail, hospitality and
restaurant employees. In a sense, it would be
her way of giving back to the community.
“ That would really be the icing on the
cake,” Salemann said.
Katherine Lacaze
Salemann, left, and gallery manager Julie Lord-Jessum stand outside Miska Studio Gallery.