Dad in New From Here: Character Analysis

Overview of Dad in New From Here

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Dad—Andrew—is the quiet anchor of the Wei family in Kelly Yang's New From Here, a presence felt even when he is thousands of miles away. A lawyer born in San Francisco who has lived across Europe, Africa, and Asia, Dad carries the family's transnational identity while also embodying its deepest sacrifices. When the coronavirus forces the family to flee Hong Kong, Dad stays behind to keep his job, setting up the novel's central tension: a family split across an ocean, fighting to reunite. His arc—from separation to sacrifice to reunion—is the emotional spine of the story, and his choices ripple through every chapter. For a full walkthrough of how his journey concludes, see the ending explained page.

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Plot Role

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Dad's decision to remain in Hong Kong is the engine of the plot. His absence shapes every major decision the family makes in California—from enrolling the kids in local schools to Mom's job search to the children's covert campaign to bring him over. He appears throughout the novel via video calls, offering reassurance, humor, and emotional support from across the Pacific. His eventual arrival in California—and the question of whether he will stay—drives the story's climax.

Dad is also the family's moral compass in key moments. When Bowen is called a racist slur at the dog park, Dad steps in, demanding the man leave, and later delivers a powerful conversation about America's history of racism. He frames the fight against hatred as requiring