Reviews

Hollow Bamboo by William Seto Ping

just_like_evan's review against another edition

4.0

A beautiful piece of biographical fiction that deals with the precarity of the immigrant experience, the alienating effects of labour and the importance of perspective.

The intentionally off-putting voice of the narrator had me doubtful in the first quarter of the book, but you must appreciate the confidence of a writer who employs abrasiveness as a narrative device. Harder to excuse the references to important Newfoundland historical moments and figures sometimes being a bit too wink-wink, nudge-nudge at times, but as a Newfoundlander, I fall easy for that shit.

The author's note makes clear his efforts to refine a passionate idea into an excellent work of fiction. Four-hundred pages went by in a blink. I cannot wait for his next book.

haileyldavidson's review against another edition

5.0

“You are small, and you are brief. Do not presume you can understand what I am about to show you.”

“Shaowei said the kids had called them rats. Scattering rats. Poy thought of the story Shaowei had told him. The rat pushed the cat off the boat and the cat never made the zodiac. The rat won. But it was still a rat.”

“I feel-It’s like I have his blood in my veins but they’re housed in the body of his oppressor.”

Fucked with this HEAVY

berksah's review against another edition

4.25

Interesting format, although I wish mo and the narrator were there more interspersed throughout. I was surprised at how much I didn't know about Chinese immigration, and this is an important story to tell. Will definitely be checking out the documentary mentioned. Lots of vivid imagery and so many complex storylines. 

mjvilela's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

howardl's review against another edition

emotional funny informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

my lore... down to a T 

alisonburnis's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

collierkeithj's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

duckttape's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

A really important read regarding the treatment of Asian Canadians in Canada + Newfoundland and Labrador during the head tax. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia

julieh46's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

novelnymphet's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0