China Room by Sunjeev Sahota is a dual narrative set in rural Punjab. The first storyline, set in 1929, follows Mehar, a teenage bride adjusting to married life. She and her two sisters-in-law spend most of their time confined to the family's "china room," only permitted to see their husbands when summoned by their mother-in-law, Mai, for marital relations. Heavily veiled and only meeting their husbands in complete darkness, the three women do not know which brother they are each married to. 

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The second narrative, set in 1999, follows Mehar’s great-grandson, who arrives at the family house to overcome his addiction. As he works on the building and its mysterious locked china room, he begins to confront his own struggles and unlock his family's past. 

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Generational trauma is the central strand of this novel, with both Mehar and her great-grandson fighting for freedom against different forms of oppression. Sahota’s writing is well-paced, quietly suspenseful, and deeply reflective, making this slim novel a must-read. 

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That said, I found the great-grandson’s story less compelling than Mehar’s. While his experiences of racism and childhood as an immigrant in Britain were interesting, they didn’t feel as fully developed as the historical storyline, although this was not sufficient to detract from the overall reading experience. 

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China Room is understated yet powerful, and definitely the kind of book that lingers in the mind long after reading. I’ll definitely be looking out for more of Sahota’s work, and encourage you all to do likewise. 

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