Bound

by Samantha W.L. Lee

My mother's first memory was more rooted in emotion than in any particular event. If she had to describe it, it would be the colour of blood. Spanning a century and four countries, Bound is the story of three generations of women trying to escape the legacy of their past. Each wants to escape to a better life. Bound to tradition but with a dream for their future, their lives interweave across time. China, 1923. With the cultural revolution sweeping across the country, four-year old Huan-Ju has her feet unceremoniously unbound. She is the first woman in her family without lotus feet. As she grows up Huan-Ju longs for a life beyond the confines of her small village. Malaysia, 1968. Growing up in poverty, teenage Shui- Tu is unable to understand her mother's choices. Dreaming of the cold of an English winter, she realises education will be her passport to a better, and different, life. Australia, 1980. Lauren grows up leading a privileged life in suburban Western Sydney. But she feels void of connection as she struggles to find her place in the world and unravel the ties that bind her to a past she doesn't understand. AUTHOR: Samantha W.L. Lee is a Chinese-Australian writer of literary fiction, essays and poetry. She was shortlisted for the WestWords/Ultimo Prize for her manuscript and completed the WestWords Fellowship in 2023. Samantha has been shortlisted for multiple Needle in the Hay flash fiction competitions and has been published in SBS Voices and FemAsia Magazine.

Genres: Literary Fiction

380 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2026

About the author

Samantha W. L. Lee is a Chinese-Australian writer of literary fiction, essays and poetry. Her debut novel Bound was released in March by WestWords Books. She was shortlisted for the WestWords/Ultimo Prize for her manuscript and completed the WestWords Fellowship in 2023. Samantha has been shortlisted for multiple Needle in the Hay flash fiction competitions and has been published in SBS Voices and FemAsia Magazine.

Reviews

[Meghan Cooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very well written, and I cried at least twice. The emotional response reading the various relationships between mothers and daughters was really thought provoking and the conflicts occurred despite various cultures and time periods, reminds you that we are all just doing the best with what we are given and mothers are just people too.

[Aidan Prewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! It was like a trip back in time and across continents. It’s so beautiful and complex and will leave you feeling all the emotions!

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully evocative book, delving into the complexities of family relationships. Put tears in my eyes as both a daughter and a mother. An incredible debut!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read - a beautifully written debut novel from an Australian author!

Bound explores the journey of three generations of women, the immigrant experience and how we are shaped by those who came before us.

Thought provoking, at times sad, but also a celebration of the resilience of those who came before us.

I found Bound gripping from beginning to end, it was really one of those books I couldn’t put down.

[Samantha Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book, I hope you love it… or you can just buy it and give it 5 stars.