"When We Were Orphans" is a novel by Kazuo Ishiguro that follows the story of Christopher Banks, a British detective in 1930s London. He returns to Shanghai, his childhood home, to investigate the mysterious disappearance of his parents, who vanished when he was a child. The narrative explores themes of memory, loss, and the impact of colonialism. As Christopher delves deeper into his investigation, he confronts the complexities of his past and the changing political landscape of China. The novel blends elements of mystery and psychological introspection, ultimately questioning the reliability of memory and the nature of identity.