About the Book

In the vein of All the Light We Cannot See, a cross-cultural love story set against the dramatic backdrop of the Allied invasion of Europe during WWII.

Vancouver, 1942. Josiah Chang arrives in the bustling city ready to make a new life for himself. The Second World War is in full swing, and Josiah, like so many Canadians, wants to prove his loyalty by serving his country. But Chinese Canadians are barred from joining the army out of fear they might expect citizenship in return. So, Josiah heads to the shipyard where he finds work as a riveter, fastening together the ribs and steel plates of Victory ships. 

One night, Josiah spots Poppy singing at a navy club. Despite their different backgrounds, they fall for each other instantly, and soon Josiah is spending his nights at Poppy’s small wartime house. Their starry-eyed romance lasts until Poppy’s father comes to visit and the harsh reality of their situation is made clear. Determined to prove himself to Poppy, her parents, and the world, Josiah travels to Toronto where he’s finally given the chance to enlist. Josiah rises to the occasion, but is the world changing as fast as his dreams…  

From the critically acclaimed author of We Two Alone, Jack Wang’s gorgeous debut novel explores what one man must sacrifice to belong in the only home he has ever truly known. 

Critical Praise

"THE RIVETER, Jack Wang’s assured and glorious debut novel, is a war story, a love story, and an exploration of the forces that hold us together or pull us apart. From the opening pages, we are dropped into the world of Josiah Chang, a Chinese Canadian serving in an elite paratrooper battalion during WWII. Themes of honor, duty, and brotherhood on the battlefield are interlaced throughout, adding philosophical depth to the action-packed scenes. Beyond the battlefield, THE RIVETER probes the limits of love through Josiah and Poppy’s cross-cultural romance, evolving through the years to the unforgettable and emotional final pages." — Melissa Fu, New York Times bestselling author of Peach Blossom Spring

“Impeccably researched and beautifully written, THE RIVETER tells the story of one man’s journey through the horrors of war, fighting for a country that will not recognize him or allow him the freedom to love simply because of his race. Josiah Chang is a character who will stay with readers long after the final page.”  — Meg Waite Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Postmistress of Paris

“A stunning debut novel. Even in the cauldron of war, Jack Wang creates scenes of such scalding beauty that I didn’t want them to end. The intense love between Josiah and Poppy, and the web of people and things trying to keep them apart, will break your heart.” — Gil Adamson, Giller Prize finalist author of Ridgerunner  

"In this exemplary historical, a Chinese Canadian man fights prejudice and falls in love during WWII....The author successfully combines the entertainment of an old-fashioned war story with a crystalline view of pthe period's racism, offering a genuinely touching romance between Josiah and Poppy and visceral scenes of training and battle. Fans of WWII fiction will devour this." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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Product Details

• ISBN: 9780063081833
• ISBN 10: 0063081830
• Imprint: HarperVia
• On Sale: 02/11/2025
• Trimsize: 6.000 in (w) x 9.000 in (h) x 1.120 in (d)
• Pages: 368
• List Price: $30.00
• BISAC1 : FICTION / Historical
• BISAC2 : FICTION / Literary
• BISAC3 : FICTION / Historical / World War II
• BISAC4 : FICTION: Diversity & Multicultural
• BISAC5 : FICTION / Asian American