Is this a thriller, a coming of age story or something in-between? Let’s discuss in my post that will include spoilers, a plot summary, and a discussion of the ending of White Ivy by Susie Yang!
Spoilers and Plot Summary for White Ivy
So, you’ve finished White Ivy and you’re dying to talk about the ending.
Or you’re reading White Ivy for book club and aren’t sure WHAT you just read.
Or you just want to see what the book’s about.
First I’ll do a brief plot summary with a warning to jump off if you don’t want to know the ending. Then we’ll talk spoilers and what we thought about this book.
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Plot Summary for White Ivy by Susie Yang
Ivy Lin was born in China.
Her parents left her with her grandmother to establish roots in the U.S. and then sent for her to join them when she was five.
Ivy now lives with her parents, brother, and maternal grandmother in Massachusetts. Her parents are strict, not openly affectionate, even borderline abusive at times.
In sixth grade Ivy enrolls at the private school where her father works.
There she begins to fixate on her classmate Gideon Speyer, a “clean-cut, all-American boy.” As one of the only non-white kids at her school, Ivy always feels like an outsider.
Ivy has a close relationship with her grandmother, Meifeng, who teaches her to shoplift. Ivy soon begins to steal things that will help her fit in and feel more American: makeup, jewelry and a diary. She befriends Roux Roman, a Romanian-American boy her parents warn her against.
Ivy is invited to Gideon’s birthday party and is fascinated to see his house and meet his WASPy family.
She also continues to hang around with Roux, and loses her virginity to him at fourteen.
When Ivy’s mother finds Ivy’s stash of stolen goods, she sends her to stay with family in China.
Ivy’s aunt Sunrin buys her clothes and makeup, and she returns to the U.S. feeling changed. But her parents have since moved to New Jersey and enroll her in a public school with a sizable Asian population, which she hates.
Ivy attends an all-girls college in Boston to get away from her family, then takes a teaching job there.
One day she runs into Gideon’s sister Sylvia. She uses this encounter to work her way into Gideon’s social circle, going into debt to buy new clothes and a plane ticket to join him on a ski trip.
Ivy sleeps with Gideon, but he still can’t seem to tell her that he loves her.
Ivy meets Liana, the glamorous Chinese-American wife of Gideon’s business partner. Liana is a civil rights lawyer.
Ivy is in awe of her and decides to apply to law school. She’s invited to spend a week at Gideon’s parents summer cottage, along with Sylvia and her new boyfriend, Roux Roman, who has become a successful businessman.
Sylvia seems to sense something between Ivy and Roux and starts acting coldly toward Ivy.
Spoilers for the Ending of White Ivy
Gideon proposes and Ivy begins planning her wedding, trying to ignore the fact that Gideon’s best friend Tom is clearly not happy about their engagement.
Ivy has also been secretly sleeping with Roux. His business ventures seem sketchy and include mysterious envelopes of cash, which Ivy steals from.
Roux tells Ivy that if she doesn’t break up with Gideon, he will tell him about their affair. Furious, she threatens to go to the FBI about his shady business dealings.
Then Ivy’s grandmother falls and breaks her hip, and Ivy rushes to her side.
Ivy asks Meifeng if she’s ever killed anyone, and Meifeng tells her that back in China, she once stabbed a thief who was trying to break into her house.
When Ivy returns to Boston, she bleaches her hair blond, invites Roux to go hiking, and pushes him off the hiking trail to his death.
She leaves his car parked at the trailhead and hikes to the nearest village. Despite her better judgment, she attends Roux’s memorial, where one of Roux’s friends gives her a package filled with money.
In the days leading up to Ivy’s wedding, she realizes that Gideon is actually in love with his friend Tom. Shocked, she confronts Gideon’s sister Sylvia, asking her if she knew Gideon was gay.
Sylvia says she picked Ivy for Gideon and she thinks that they are perfect for each other. Ivy thinks about it and decides to marry Gideon anyway.
SPOILER DISCUSSION FOR WHITE IVY BY SUSIE YANG
What did you think of this? It’s an interesting mix of genres: one part family saga, one part immigration/coming of age story, one part commentary on the American dream, and one part psychological suspense.
I went into White Ivy expecting more of a thriller, and at first was a little impatient with the slow pace of the story. Once I adjusted, I enjoyed following Ivy over the next ten years.
I’m still not sure about the ending and what it was supposed to mean. Did you find Ivy’s decisions and actions shocking or completely predictable?
Did you suspect that Gideon was gay?
I should have seen that coming. I just thought he wasn’t that into her but she pushed herself at him and he just gave in.
Did you ever think Ivy would kill Roux?
As a girl, Ivy feels justified in stealing the things she needs to fit in. Is this the way she justifies her murder of Roux, as a way to get the perfect family she dreams of?
When Ivy’s grandmother told her she’d killed a man, I suspected that Ivy was going to kill Roux. And the book was sort of marketed as “dark” so I wasn’t that surprised. Roux was the obstacle to her having the WASP life of her dreams.So I should have expected Ivy to go through with her wedding.
What do you think White Ivy is saying about love and relationships, both romantic and familial?
Ivy, the women in her family, and even Sylvia, are coldly pragmatic in a way that female characters in books aren’t often allowed to be. Was the book saying that romantic love (like the passionate obsession Ivy had for Roux) isn’t practical? That family is important but that stable families are built with the head, not the heart?
Or was Gideon’s love for Tom was a big joke on Ivy, a reminder that the perfect guy she’d pined, the life she’d killed for, was all an illusion?
Were Ivy and Roux too similar to be happy together? Or did he remind her of her worst self? Was killing him trying to erase all the things she’d done to get the life she wanted?
What genre of book was White Ivy, anyway?
In my Goodreads review, I said that White Ivy reminded me of those nineteenth-century or early twentieth century classics about ambitious characters trying to insinuate themselves into the upper class. Books like A Custom of the Country or House of Mirth.
After reading some of your amazing comments, I realized that the end of White Ivy reminded me a bit of American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser – have you read it or seen any of the adaptations (A Place in the Sun with Elizabeth Taylor and Woody Allen’s Match Point?) Poor guy wants to marry rich girl, but gets poor girl pregnant, and has to murder her to realize his dreams. Of course, he gets caught. And it’s actually based on a true story.
Did you feel that all the family history was necessary to understand Ivy and her choices? Or did you wish the book had moved more at a thriller-y pace?
I think White Ivy would make a great book club book that would spark fascinating discussions surrounding themes like love, family, crime and criminality, the immigrant experience, and the American Dream.
Join Our Discussion of White Ivy!
But I don’t have a book club, so let’s talk about this book in comments!!! What are your thoughts about this one? I will respond to all comments, so if you want to be notified, just click the envelope icon above the comment box and add your email. I’d love to chat with you!
I just finished reading this and desperately felt the need to discuss it! I am so happy to have found this page. Some of my thoughts about the book are:
I totally saw that Gideon’s lack of passion toward Ivy was because he was gay and afraid or unable to come out. However, I never would have dreamed that Ivy would kill Roux! I had to pause after reading that section (after having voraciously read non-stop) to be able to digest the disappointment.
I felt that Roux had genuine feelings of love toward Ivy and that she would be happy with him. While being married to Gideon would on the surface look wonderful, Ivy would never be truly happy. I was disappointed that she acquiesced and gave up real happiness for a superficial life with Gideon.
The immigrant experience presented in the book was very realistic. And ultimately I think that it is because of her family’s expectations that she chose Gideon over Roux. I was hoping the American views of love and romance would prevail.
Thanks so much for stopping by to discuss! I didn’t guess that Gideon was gay for a while. At first I thought he wasn’t interested, or was just an passive person.
I was SHOCKED that she killed Roux. That she was able to kill him, given how she felt about him. To me it was almost like she was killing her old self. And I agree with you that Roux understood her way better than Gideon. With Gideon, she would never be truly herself, but I guess that was her goal.
That’s a very interesting observation- that killing him was in effect doing away with her old self. And the one person who truly knew her, even more than her family.
I was confused at the part where at the funeral she received money from Roux. Did he expect to die young, did he have a sense she would kill him?When Ivy asked her grandmother if she had ever killed anyone was a clue Ivy would kill Roux.
My interpretation was that he was in a sketchy line of work and had asked his associates to give her the money if anything happened to him – which makes it all the more poignant that she murdered him. I don’t think he expected that. But if anyone disagrees, let me know!
And yes, when she asked her grandmother that I suspected what was coming!
I interpreted the associate as the son of the old man that Roux’s mom had an affair with and employed Roux. I felt like he knew what Ivy did to Roux and he wanted to get rid of Roux himself. It was like he was paying her to say thank you for killing Roux. That being said, it is murky, because the same writing was on the envelope for the car keys. Or Roux gave the associate the book in case something happened to him. Either way, it’s unclear what truly happened. But that guy knew what was in the package. I’m confused but I think it was clever to keep it shrouded in mystery.
this book is awesome because there are so many unknowns that could be cleared up with another book. No characters in the book were likable to me (I only started rooting for Ivy once she came into contact with Roux again). But I would like a second book to bite into Gideon and Tom’s relationship, Tom and Sylvia’s relationship. The possible money problems Gideon’s parents may have. Ivy’s parent’s success and a development of their relationship (hopefully) and I would really like Austin to succeed.
Ooh, interesting theory. I like it. I assumed option B that you listed – that Roux knew his work was dangerous and he asked that guy to give the money to Ivy if anything happened to her. Because he loved her more than she loved him!
I find it bizarre that she could actually kill Roux and not seem to have any regrets —It makes her look like a sociopath–yet she had strong feelings which is unlike a true sociopath–it also looks like his crime family guy may have been on to her—the fact that the writing on the package and the note giving her the car seemed to point toward nefarious possibilities—Almost like there could be a Part Two to this book—Getting away with his murder really bothered me…. I did guess that Gideon was gay back when he wouldn’t sleep with her at the summer home. Certainly a strange group of characters. Not that I ‘liked’ Roux but he did seem to be a redeemable person,–the rest of them,including Ivy were not too nice—her mother was THE WORST!
I agree. I think she was just really, really committed to her #1 goal of becoming part of Gideon’s family. So much so that she would bankrupt herself, marry a man who would never love her in a romantic sense, and kill the guy who did love her. Roux knew way too much about her past and was willing to tell Gideon everything. And yes, I forgot about the note and the money his crime buddies gave her. Do you think they knew she killed him?
Wellll—the guy said something about it being ‘effed up’ when he left her—the book did kind of end with unanswered questions—also,it seems like it’s being written with a screenwriter in mind–haha it seems everyone now is aiming for their book to be a movie—it’s the kind of a book that i cannot say I ‘LIKED’ BUT I was compelled to read it and that says something!!! thanks for coming up with this site–it’s fun to be able to discuss a book without worrying about spoiling it for others—some of the reviewers on Amazon mentioned a murder which I thought was unfair—I am glad i didn’t read any reviews early!!!
I haven’t checked to see if you have read the Robert Galbraith ( JK Rowling’s pen name) series,but if you like mystery and romance AND great writing–you should check them out–
I think for it to work as a movie they’d have to have a flash forward technique where they showed the murder and then went back to explain it. Otherwise I think all the backstory (which I did like) would just be too slow.
Yes, I have read some of the RG books, and seen some of the BBC show which I thought was a good adaptation.
Two parts of the story I haven’t seen anyone discuss yet: (1) the relationship between Gideon and Sylvia (sleeping together as teenagers? Bathing together past early childhood?), and (2) the idea that Gideon’s family isn’t rich – they rent their home, they can’t get repairs done on their beach house, they don’t chip in for the wedding, etc. Will Ivy think it worth staying married to her closeted husband if she can’t be completely taken care of financially?
That is an excellent point and I think the book does do a good job of showing that this “perfect” American family that Ivy is obsessed with is weird and dysfunctional. While they are probably better off than Ivy’s family, as you point out, they also seem to be faking it. Maybe in a sequel she has to take over Roux’s sketchy job so that she and Gideon can continue to pretend they are rich.
I could totally see that last part! Ivy taking over Roux’s old job. But also, Gideon seemed to be fairly well off on his own with the current job. Maybe he gets fired for some reason, and breaks bad with Ivy lol. I could see Ivy falling in love with someone in Roux’s gang. I also feel though, if she takes over his job, why would there be a need for her to maintain such a front with Gideon? How would he serve her? I would hope she would just stop caring altogether what people think once she finds power in being a mobster.
Haha you have written Ivy: The Sequel. Ivy secretly takes over Roux’s criminal activities, but someone who knows what she did is suddenly blackmailing her. Gideon won’t give up Tom so Sylvia kills Tom in a fit of rage.
Re: point 1 – that was a major cue that something was not right w/ the Speyer family. I believe it was Poppy who said that initially, which is more concerning. Also did the name Poppy for a woman confuse/annoy anyone else lol? At one point Roux also commented about how lovey dovey Syvlia and Gideon were – I thought something disturbing was going to be revealed honestly. However, I feel like I didn’t really understand their relationship – Gideon and Sylvia. The final exchanges between Sylvia and Ivy at the wedding – are we supposed to think that Sylvia is basically in control of Gideon’s life all this time? She picked Ivy for him to marry as a front?
Another topic I didn’t really understand – why did Gideon and Tom feel compelled to stay in the closet? If in fact it was true? I got the sense the year was present day where there is a lot less stigma than say 50 years ago. We know the Speyer family is religious, but they’re not extremists or homophobic. The family seems like they would take Gideon being gay perfectly fine actually.
For me, the part about Gideon being gay supposedly really threw things off, storywise. Not knowing his motive for staying closeted annoyed me.
Ashley thanks so much – I love your insights! I agree – in the 2020s with a family like his it doesn’t seem like being gay would be an issue. Even for a political career. You guys are making me see the Sylvia/Gideon thing in a whole new light. She’s like a weird controlling mother or wife.
Just finished this book tonight as tomorrow is my group’s Book Club! I am excited to hear what everyone thinks! I then found your page here! You all have some great perspectives! I thought it would be revealed that there was something sexual between Gideon and his sister …never occurred to me that it was Tom he loved!! I did think Ivy was capable of murder, but I was surprised she killed the one person who understood her!!
Hi Stacy! I hope you come back and tell us what the book club thought! Gideon’s family was definitely strange. And I agree – she was definitely capable of murder but I’m still shocked about who she killed.
Kathy
Roux was not known for being athletic. Did anyone (such as the police )question why he would have gone on a hike in the middle of winter (it was going to snow) by himself? And wasn’t it terribly convenient that the Audi was still registered to him? I kept waiting to see some regret or shame or guilt that she killed Roux but there was none. Her only concern seemed to be that Gideon not find out. It was obvious the Gideon was gay although the part about Tom did surprise me. I do believe Ivy was sociopathic because her strong feelings were almost all about herself with not much if any empathy for others.
She was just SO obsessed with Gideon and his family.
I enjoyed the book. But I felt like shaking Ivy. I hated that she picked Gideon over a man with whom she felt passion and who loved her despite her faults. Ironically, Roux was clearly wealthy and her family was beginning to be wealthy, whereas Gideon’s appeared to be old money that was drying up. I didn’t quite get the detail where Ivy threw Roux’s keys and smashed cell phone into a dumpster. That seemed to be a detail that the author did not contemplate. But perhaps we should think that the police would have assumed that those items were lost when he fell but it is a detail that nagged at me.
Roux definitely had his issues but I agree that he was a better match for Ivy than a guy in love with someone else! She was fixated on Gedeon and nothing was going to change her mind.
You’re right about the keys and phone – she should have just smashed the phone and thrown that and the keys off the ledge where he fell.
Plus she put the keys and phone along with all her clothes in the same bag. Unlikely it would ever be found, but if it was, she’d have a lot of explaining to do…
I’m glad I found this page! I just finished reading and have so many thoughts.
I suspected that Gideon might be gay, with his disinterest in being physical with Ivy yet never breaking up with her.
I thought something more would come of the weird relationship between Sylvia and Gideon, especially as children. I thought that could be the source of the wall he seemed to keep up between himself and Ivy. Maybe they were secretly in love.
As the story neared the end, I almost hoped for an O’Henry like twist. After killing Roux to save her life with Gideon, Gideon breaks things off for any number of possible reasons. All her mental anguish and wrong-doing, and she doesn’t get the outcome she desires after all. The real ending is sort of like that in a way – she is left somewhat empty. Their marriage and life are mostly a facade.
I’m into the sequel ideas, very intriguing.
Yes- I would have loved it if Gideon dumped her!
I have to say as the child of an Asian mother and White American father, and growing up at a time when one didn’t see every other Asian woman in a couple with a White American man as one does today, this story made me physically bristle. It feeds so many stereotypes, about Chinese obsession with money, the tacit sexist assumption that women are looking for a “free ride” through marriage, (either for power or money), WASPS being cheap and dysfunctional, the Asian woman as secret sexual demon. I mean these things might be true a lot of the time but I felt depressed that Susie Yang decided to capitalize on all that and sell out the immigrant experience to get published. I’m sure she happily cashed her Simon and Schuster advance. Not to mention sacrificing literary concerns in order to leave the door open for a sequel. Can’t you just see her rubbing her hands in anticipation of Hollywood knocking? Gross! I’m wondering if Susie Yang is actually Suzie Wong. Remember that interracial couple?
Hi Jean and thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. I am 50% WASP, 25% Scandanavian Midwesterner, 25% ??? and can only speak from that perspective. Yes, I felt Yang was definitely working with gender and ethnic stereotypes, but I also would argue that her book (maybe?) trying to say something about the American dream. The book really reminded me of a 20th century spin on one of those early 20th century writers, like F.Scott Fitzgerald or Edith Wharton or Henry James, who show how tricky it is for women to try to make it on their own. Books that featured women like Daisy Buchanan not waiting for Gatsby and marrying Tom, or Lily Bart falling all the way down the social ladder because she aims too high. I saw Ivy and her grandmother as calculating but practical in the way that women sometimes have to be. As female immigrants trying to make their way in a new place, they couldn’t be too sentimental or soft or have the luxury of being sentimental or romantic. Then, ironically, Ivy picks the most “American” man of all who turns out to be not what he seems.
I think this book is a great book club book – so much to discuss.
Okay so I know I am super late to the game but I just finished this (am reading this for a second time around because I devoured it quickly the first time) and I am dying to share my thoughts with someone! Everyone on here has incredible insight.
anyway, this was seriously an incredible, PERFECT novel, I am itching for more. I really hope there’s a sequel, although if there is I will miss Roux deeply!
Hello! I am always here and people still drop by.
I really loved this book too! I went in expecting a thriller, but thought this was more like one of those old fashioned stories about the dark side of the American dream. The whole “not being able to be with the person you love” felt like something out of Edith Wharton.
Ooh, I think Nan could have killed him, and agree that it parallels what Ivy does. I also agree that Ivy and Gideon, whether they realized it or not, had an old fashioned marriage of convenience. They married each other for the wrong reasons. I kept thinking of Archer in The Age of Innocence.
Those are amazing points! What she had with Roux was so passionate and downright hot that I was shocked she would give this up to be with boring Gideon (lol) despite it being out of convenience. I have read this 4-5 more times in a row to truly absorb the story and each time it does not disappoint!