emburger's review
2.0
Perhaps I'd set myself up for a meh experience, because I've never gotten satisfaction from shortstories.
But, I chose to read this because I wanted a first taste to author Guo Xiaolu, and this led to go onto reading A Concise Chinese-english Dictionary for lovers. And it is a delight.
But, I chose to read this because I wanted a first taste to author Guo Xiaolu, and this led to go onto reading A Concise Chinese-english Dictionary for lovers. And it is a delight.
sophiavass's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jthhhhhhhh's review
3.0
If you want fiction about contemporary life in China, read Guo -- not Ha Jin or Yiyun Li. (Not that they're bad writers.) Guo writes with a straight-faced, unsentimental (well, except some of her love stories) emptiness that rings true to me. This is my favorite book of hers I've read. It's a short story collection -- mostly very short, and sad. Worth reading.
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