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A review by jang
Preparation for the Next Life by Atticus Lish
5.0
A very stunning read. Preparation for the Next Life is gripping, emotional, raw and really powerful. An intense love story between an immigrant Chinese girl conquering New York to find a new identity and an American soldier who is suffering from PTSD after his assignment in Iraq.
The book is not for faint-hearted readers because some scenes can get really ugly and brutal. In a way this is such a timely read for me because of the challenges most immigrants in America will have to face soon because of its new president.
I'm so impressed with the vivid writing, the research and the dialogues. It really takes you to places you'll never imagine your mind would ever wander.
This book is truthful in portraying the ugly side of America and the way people in America get comfortable with crime and danger to get by. It also gives a hindsight of what vets go through post-war and how the US government treat their cases. Maybe it's not the reality for some but after reading this, I somehow get now the alarming numbers of vets who decide to commit suicide after their assignments. PTSD is an ugly demon and when not treated right, can eat the person it's consuming whole.
The book is not for faint-hearted readers because some scenes can get really ugly and brutal. In a way this is such a timely read for me because of the challenges most immigrants in America will have to face soon because of its new president.
I'm so impressed with the vivid writing, the research and the dialogues. It really takes you to places you'll never imagine your mind would ever wander.
This book is truthful in portraying the ugly side of America and the way people in America get comfortable with crime and danger to get by. It also gives a hindsight of what vets go through post-war and how the US government treat their cases. Maybe it's not the reality for some but after reading this, I somehow get now the alarming numbers of vets who decide to commit suicide after their assignments. PTSD is an ugly demon and when not treated right, can eat the person it's consuming whole.