Coming of Age

The book’s central thematic element is Chan’s experience of “coming of age,” with its other thematic elements connected to, or emerging from, that experience like branches from a tree trunk. In both literature and life, the term “coming of age” is commonly used to describe a person’s experience of moving from an experience of youth and relative innocence towards a greater maturity, perhaps defined by physical change, perhaps defined by knowledge and experience. In Chan’s case, his coming of age is defined less by physical change and more by changes connected to a deeper awareness and understanding of life – i.e., of his individual life and of life in general.

In terms of Chan’s coming of age in relation to his individual life, there are two important components. Most of these are defined by his relationship with his family...