Plot Overview

Tam, a former carnivore turned vegan, faces her past when her Aunt Tigress is found murdered, revealing a dark and tangled family history. Tam inherits an undead fox and encounters a host of adversaries, including supernatural beings and a mysterious tentacled creature stalking her through the city. Alongside navigating these dangers, her budding relationship with Janet introduces further complications, especially when Tam’s history intertwines with her love life.

The Theme of Redemption

Throughout her journey, Tam grapples with the consequences of her upbringing and the suffering she inflicted on others, raising an essential question: do monsters deserve happy endings? In this narrative, the exploration of redemption is woven into the larger themes of love and identity.

Character Insights: Aunt Tigress

Aunt Tigress serves as a complex antagonist, drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese cultivation myths where various entities strive for self-improvement. The character embodies both monstrous traits and a misguided sense of care, with her obsession manifesting in the chilling act of cannibalism. Qin deliberately contrasts Aunt Tigress with Tam and her father, aiming to disrupt the trope of the violent, marauding tiger typical in media portrayals.

Q&A with Emily Yu-Xuan Qin

In an interview, Qin discussed her journey as a debut author and the evolution of her writing:

“Aunt Tigress is my third manuscript. My road to publication was very long… I’m just hoping the shoe continues to fit.” — Emily Yu-Xuan Qin

She described her process, revealing the novel began as writing exercises that reflected her own experiences, ultimately spiraling into a narrative that blends Chinese and First Nations mythologies within a contemporary Canadian backdrop.

Setting: A Contemporary Urban Landscape

The story unfolds in modern-day Canada, primarily Calgary, where rich landscapes blend with urgent contemporary issues. Settings reference both natural beauty and the legacy of the land’s Indigenous peoples, creating a vibrant backdrop that enhances the characters’ struggles for identity and belonging.

Character Dynamics and Challenges

Tam and Janet’s relationship is marked by communication barriers and differing perspectives on intimacy, making their journey a crucial element of the storyline. Tam’s struggle with vulnerability and Janet’s difficulties with emotional transparency create a layered, realistic portrayal of modern relationships.

“Tam needs to listen to it at least one more time… She’s partly a tiger with too little socializing, so that’s her excuse.” — Emily Yu-Xuan Qin