Dial A for Aunties

Jesse Q. Sutanto

Dial A for Aunties

Jesse Q. Sutanto
60 pages2-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 2021

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Meddy is a Chinese Indonesian American college graduate who works as the photographer for her family's wedding business. She struggles to balance her filial duty with her desire for personal independence. Fearing a family curse of male abandonment, she makes choices to stay close to her mother and aunts, even when it costs her personal happiness.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Ma (Natasya Chan)

Niece of Big Aunt

Niece of Second Aunt

Former Girlfriend of Nathan Chan

Blind Date of Ah Guan/Jake

College Best Friend of Selena

Employer of Seb

Ma is Meddy's mother and the florist for the family's wedding business. She cares deeply for her daughter and expresses her affection through persistent meddling, such as secretly setting Meddy up on a dating app. She relies heavily on traditional Chinese medicine and maintains a lifelong competitive dynamic with her younger sister.

Key Relationships

Mother of Meddy Chan

Younger Sister of Big Aunt

Younger Sister of Second Aunt

Older Sister of Fourth Aunt (Mimi Chan)

Client of Ah Guan/Jake

The eldest of the four sisters, Big Aunt operates as the pastry chef for the Chan wedding business and the matriarch of the family. She commands attention and compliance through her authoritative bearing, famously utilizing a specific vocal tone to settle disputes. She takes immediate charge during family crises and expects total obedience.

Key Relationships

Aunt of Meddy Chan

Older Sister of Ma (Natasya Chan)

Older Sister of Second Aunt

Older Sister of Fourth Aunt (Mimi Chan)

The second eldest sister manages hair and makeup for the family business. She is highly superstitious and frequently practices spontaneous Tai Chi poses to manage her blood pressure. She resents Big Aunt's authority and constantly looks for opportunities to undermine her older sister's commands.

Key Relationships

Aunt of Meddy Chan

Older Sister of Ma (Natasya Chan)

Younger Sister of Big Aunt

Older Sister of Fourth Aunt (Mimi Chan)

The youngest of the four sisters, Fourth Aunt serves as the wedding singer for the family business. She possesses a flamboyant personality, favoring elaborate manicures featuring crystals and feathers. As the most fluent in English and social media among the sisters, she frequently uses this knowledge to secure advantages in family arguments.

Key Relationships

Aunt of Meddy Chan

Younger Sister of Ma (Natasya Chan)

Younger Sister of Big Aunt

Younger Sister of Second Aunt

Nathan is a British citizen of white and Hong Kong Chinese heritage who owns a luxurious hotel in California. He dreams of establishing a successful hospitality career, and hosting the high-profile Sutopo-Wijaya wedding represents his biggest professional opportunity. He shares a complicated romantic history with Meddy from their university days.

Key Relationships

Former Boyfriend of Meddy Chan

Investigated by Sheriff McConnell

Ah Guan is a floral supplier who manipulates Ma into setting him up with Meddy under the online alias "Jake the rich hotelier." He uses deception to secure the date, showing a complete disregard for Meddy's personal boundaries. His aggressive behavior during their meeting triggers a catastrophic chain of events that throws the Chan family into chaos.

Key Relationships

Blind Date of Meddy Chan

Supplier to Ma (Natasya Chan)

Supporting Characters

An exceptional accountant, Maureen serves as the maid of honor for the high-profile wedding. She is fiercely devoted to the bride and actively despises the groom, viewing him as a terrible match. She orchestrates wedding preparations while harboring deep resentment toward the impending marriage.

Key Relationships

Best Friend of Jacqueline Wijaya

Opponent of Tom Cruise Sutopo

Jacqueline is the bride, hailing from a wealthy Chinese Indonesian family. She is a kind and friendly woman who quickly becomes overwhelmed by the stress surrounding her massive wedding event. She relies heavily on her bridal party for emotional support when preparations go wrong.

Key Relationships

Fiancée of Tom Cruise Sutopo

Best Friend of Maureen Halim

The local law enforcement officer on the island of Santa Lucia. He holds a petty grudge against the tourism industry, particularly Nathan's hotel, and treats the Asian guests and staff with blatant disrespect. He acts stubbornly and frequently oversteps his actual procedural knowledge.

Key Relationships

Antagonizer of Nathan Chan

The groom of the massive wedding event, belonging to an incredibly wealthy and influential Chinese Indonesian family. He cares little for others' feelings, enjoys exerting unearned authority over hotel staff, and prioritizes saving face above genuine connections.

Key Relationships

Antagonist to Maureen Halim

Meddy's photography assistant for the wedding business. He helps capture the extensive, multi-day events of the Chinese Indonesian wedding ceremonies.

Key Relationships

Assistant to Meddy Chan

Meddy's college best friend who encourages her to socialize, attend parties, and pursue her romantic interests instead of isolating herself.

Key Relationships

Friend of Meddy Chan