Calcutta, 1841. Emanuel, an ambitious Jewish merchant, wants to make his fortune by trading opium with China. Over the ensuing decades, Emanuel's success will be determined by two remarkable women: Semah, his dutiful first wife in Calcutta whose dowry funds the mercenary expedition to Hong Kong; and Pearl, the beautiful Chinese girl whom he falls in love with. Despite the open hostility between the two women, Emanuel insists that they must all live together in his Hong Kong mansion that locals call the House of Wives.Brimming with intrigue and adventure, and written with astounding flair, The House of Wives is a dramatic and poignant tale of love, ambition, friendship and family inspired by the true story of the author's great-grandfather.