Between Two Names

A multicultural coming-of-age novel where Western pop culture collides with life in 2010s China, written in a memoir-like style with powerful personal reflection.Chinese student Mark (Cheng) Ma is unexpectedly admitted into his high school's international program. Lacking confidence and resources, he is forced to navigate this new reality on his own. He soon finds himself further isolated when he uncovers a troubling secret about his teacher, Vivian.Restless with the knowledge of this discovery, Mark begins to learn more about himself with the help of a new friend, Howard, who teaches him to play ping-pong and introduces him to Western culture. Their friendship grows strained when Mark realizes he has started to develop feelings he doesn't fully understand.