World and Town is a novel by Gish Jen that follows a Chinese American widow and her friendship with a family of Cambodian immigrants. The novel describes the difficulties encountered in the lives of characters as they embrace immigration, rationalism, and religious fundamentalism. The daughter of a missionary, Kong prides herself on her liberalism and compassion and rejection of superstitious beliefs. Throughout the novel, she struggles with a dislike of the worldview embraced by other skeptics and a difficulty living in harmony with the beliefs of others.