ramseyhootman's review against another edition
5.0
There's so much goodness packed into this book I don't even know where to start. It's probably my favorite Ellie book so far, although I think the reason for that is because it builds on the other two. (Which is to say, I recommend starting with Rock Paper Tiger!)
I'm always seeking out books with great characters, and Ellie is one of the best. I love her straightforward, no-nonsense manner, her deadpan commentary on the absurdities of modern China, and her "non-gender-conformity," as they call it these days. She's a master of understatement, and there were more than a couple times when I laughed out loud and stopped to read a line to my partner. You don't find many female protagonists like her, and it's completely refreshing. I want more!
I can also vouch personally for the fact that this book is spot-on when it comes to the "China experience." White-girl me lived in mainland China for a year, and it's a pleasure to read a book that is so accurate when it comes to the expat experience - while also not being exploitative or "othering" Chinese culture. Brackmann's observations about modern Chinese life are sharp, completely on-point, and always fascinating. I love how she digs into really unique parts of the culture, particularly relating to class and current events. Dragon Day, like the other Ellie books, is the kind of thing I recommend to anyone who wants to know more about the complexities of modern Chinese life.
The reason this book was my favorite of the three, however, is the fact that we finally start to see some evolution in Ellie's character. She's forced to confront the fact that she is sort of passive-aggressively suicidal, and that she cannot continue on with her current trajectory. Something in her life is going to have to change, because the percocet and beer won't last forever. Well... maybe she'll always have the beer.
I look forward to seeing what comes next!
I'm always seeking out books with great characters, and Ellie is one of the best. I love her straightforward, no-nonsense manner, her deadpan commentary on the absurdities of modern China, and her "non-gender-conformity," as they call it these days. She's a master of understatement, and there were more than a couple times when I laughed out loud and stopped to read a line to my partner. You don't find many female protagonists like her, and it's completely refreshing. I want more!
I can also vouch personally for the fact that this book is spot-on when it comes to the "China experience." White-girl me lived in mainland China for a year, and it's a pleasure to read a book that is so accurate when it comes to the expat experience - while also not being exploitative or "othering" Chinese culture. Brackmann's observations about modern Chinese life are sharp, completely on-point, and always fascinating. I love how she digs into really unique parts of the culture, particularly relating to class and current events. Dragon Day, like the other Ellie books, is the kind of thing I recommend to anyone who wants to know more about the complexities of modern Chinese life.
The reason this book was my favorite of the three, however, is the fact that we finally start to see some evolution in Ellie's character. She's forced to confront the fact that she is sort of passive-aggressively suicidal, and that she cannot continue on with her current trajectory. Something in her life is going to have to change, because the percocet and beer won't last forever. Well... maybe she'll always have the beer.
I look forward to seeing what comes next!
ramseyhootman's review
5.0
There's so much goodness packed into this book I don't even know where to start. It's probably my favorite Ellie book so far, although I think the reason for that is because it builds on the other two. (Which is to say, I recommend starting with Rock Paper Tiger!)
I'm always seeking out books with great characters, and Ellie is one of the best. I love her straightforward, no-nonsense manner, her deadpan commentary on the absurdities of modern China, and her "non-gender-conformity," as they call it these days. She's a master of understatement, and there were more than a couple times when I laughed out loud and stopped to read a line to my partner. You don't find many female protagonists like her, and it's completely refreshing. I want more!
I can also vouch personally for the fact that this book is spot-on when it comes to the "China experience." White-girl me lived in mainland China for a year, and it's a pleasure to read a book that is so accurate when it comes to the expat experience - while also not being exploitative or "othering" Chinese culture. Brackmann's observations about modern Chinese life are sharp, completely on-point, and always fascinating. I love how she digs into really unique parts of the culture, particularly relating to class and current events. Dragon Day, like the other Ellie books, is the kind of thing I recommend to anyone who wants to know more about the complexities of modern Chinese life.
The reason this book was my favorite of the three, however, is the fact that we finally start to see some evolution in Ellie's character. She's forced to confront the fact that she is sort of passive-aggressively suicidal, and that she cannot continue on with her current trajectory. Something in her life is going to have to change, because the percocet and beer won't last forever. Well... maybe she'll always have the beer.
I look forward to seeing what comes next!
I'm always seeking out books with great characters, and Ellie is one of the best. I love her straightforward, no-nonsense manner, her deadpan commentary on the absurdities of modern China, and her "non-gender-conformity," as they call it these days. She's a master of understatement, and there were more than a couple times when I laughed out loud and stopped to read a line to my partner. You don't find many female protagonists like her, and it's completely refreshing. I want more!
I can also vouch personally for the fact that this book is spot-on when it comes to the "China experience." White-girl me lived in mainland China for a year, and it's a pleasure to read a book that is so accurate when it comes to the expat experience - while also not being exploitative or "othering" Chinese culture. Brackmann's observations about modern Chinese life are sharp, completely on-point, and always fascinating. I love how she digs into really unique parts of the culture, particularly relating to class and current events. Dragon Day, like the other Ellie books, is the kind of thing I recommend to anyone who wants to know more about the complexities of modern Chinese life.
The reason this book was my favorite of the three, however, is the fact that we finally start to see some evolution in Ellie's character. She's forced to confront the fact that she is sort of passive-aggressively suicidal, and that she cannot continue on with her current trajectory. Something in her life is going to have to change, because the percocet and beer won't last forever. Well... maybe she'll always have the beer.
I look forward to seeing what comes next!
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