The Story of Us

The Story of Us by Catherine Hernandez is a compelling novel that delves into the life of Mary Grace “MG” Concepcion, a young wife and migrant worker from the Philippines who travels firstly to Hong Kong and then to Canada for better opportunities. MG endures challenging and often exploitative work environments, reflecting the real-life struggles many temporary foreign workers face in Canada. MG’s story is told by her unborn child, adding a uniquely profound and intimate layer to the novel as it explores themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the quest for belonging.

MG’s journey reveals the systemic issues identified by migrant-led organizations, Canadian civil society, unions, academics, and the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery. Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program exacerbates the power imbalance between workers and employers by tying workers to a specific employer through closed work permits.

As we see in the narrative describing MG’s precarious situation, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program leaves workers vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Like many real-life migrant workers, MG faces a reality where her rights are abused, her ability to seek justice is constrained, and her livelihood is tied to the whims of her employers.

As MG transitions to a new role as a Personal Support Worker for Liz, an elderly transgender woman living with Alzheimer’s disease, the novel shifts its focus to themes of chosen family and the power of human connection. MG forms a deep and transformative friendship with Liz, which challenges her perceptions and helps her grow as an individual. This relationship, set against the backdrop of a flawed and often harsh system, underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of compassion and solidarity in the face of systemic injustice.