Stargazing

Christine Hong is the protagonist of Stargazing. Christine comes from a traditional Asian American background. Her Chinese mother and Taiwanese father uphold a household with rigid expectations for behavior and performance. Christine plays violin and performs on stage. At the beginning of the novel, she is quite reserved and repressed. She has long hair and an often flat or unsure expression on her face. She is hesitant about the world around her and in particular about getting to know Moon. Christine also cares deeply about her grades and making her parents happy. When her grades start to slip after spending too much time with Moon, Christine spends time studying to catch up.

Christine judges Moon before knowing her and is nervous at the idea of someone who hurts people. As the novel progresses, she will become more empathic. Instead of judging Moon for her visions, she will listen with understanding. When Moon lashes out multiple times, Christine tries to understand Moon rather than rejecting her.

Christine’s personality and family are very different from Moon’s. While Christine was raised to be obedient and to conform, Moon was raised by a mother who sings to plants. Being around Moon opens Christine up to a different side of the world and herself.