Ng’s storytelling is a master class in authenticity. From poverty and violence to addiction and strained relationships, the novel unflinchingly explores the depths of human struggle. And the author’s profound psychological insights and heartfelt portrayal of the characters’ troubled lives create an intense and unforgettable reading experience.

The Family Code is a gritty and unflinching look at the devastating effects of intergenerational trauma. Wayne Ng has created vulnerable, damaged, and compelling characters that will resonate with me for a long time. Heartbreaking but also hopeful, this book put me through the wringer.

Intricate plotting and sizzling dialogue show an imaginative master at work, narrating in dual points of view with authentic voices, sharp wit and deep sympathy. 

Hannah and Axel’s story will break your heart. But it also stands as a timeless and stunningly textured testament to hope, redemption, and love. A must-read!

Building on his years of social work, Ng has written a searing portrait of a family in crisis drowning in the complexities of love and unresolved pain.

Ng’s characterization is beautiful and utterly convincing. He writes with the perfect balance of grit and beauty, compassion and stark reality, always aware of his character’s motivations.

With the immediacy of a bruised throat, Wayne Ng’s compelling new novel The Family Code confronts us with an unsympathetic character with whom we sympathize, the baffled son she struggles to care for, and the tenacity of their hope in seemingly hopeless circumstances. 

An unexpectedly riveting, important read that I could not put down. Highly recommended.