Ms. Zuravleff weaves together D.C. destinations, interesting characters (whom she treats with kindness, so you can't help but like them), Asian art, philosophy, and what I suspect is a frighteningly accurate portrayal of museum politics and players to create what I found a fresh (i.e., original) and refreshing story. Zuravleff, with poignancy and humor (thank goodness), demonstrates that we all have our "stuff" to get through: Promise Whittaker has become the acting director of the Museum of Asian Art, which is in danger of becoming a fast food court for tourists; her mentor, the previous director who resigned abruptly, is missing in China's Taklamakan Desert; one of her curators has embezzled museum money, and another has dropped a "priceless" porcelain bowl; and, oh yes, she's dealing with an unplanned pregnancy at age 43, and her husband has decided now is a good time for their family to get a puppy. I cheered for Promise.


Though I enjoyed this book, it could have used more editing. For example, detailed descriptions of the trying situations Promise's children pose strayed into one-liners that didn't enhance--and often had nothing to do with--the narrative. To me, more than a few passages seemed like bits of clever writing to which the author, rather than the story, was attached.