Fascinating stories
4 stars
In retrospect, this novel is a highly fascinating collection of stories with a common thread, the titular China Mountain Zhang appearing in most of the stories.
Set in a future where China is the dominant world power, Rafael aka China Mountain Zhang lives in New York, half-Chinese, half-Latino American and queer to boot. Early on, he loses his job, because he does not want to marry the daughter of his Chinese foreman at work, which really is problematic, because ultimately he wants to live the dream of going to university in China. Rafael is the red thread here, and has the most impactful stories, about loneliness at the polar circle, queer experience in China, etc. Subjects are tough, there's suicide, rape, depression.
Interesting cast, vastly differing stories all coming together in the end. A bit bleak, and in the beginning tough to get into because Zhang is not exactly likeable. …
In retrospect, this novel is a highly fascinating collection of stories with a common thread, the titular China Mountain Zhang appearing in most of the stories.
Set in a future where China is the dominant world power, Rafael aka China Mountain Zhang lives in New York, half-Chinese, half-Latino American and queer to boot. Early on, he loses his job, because he does not want to marry the daughter of his Chinese foreman at work, which really is problematic, because ultimately he wants to live the dream of going to university in China. Rafael is the red thread here, and has the most impactful stories, about loneliness at the polar circle, queer experience in China, etc. Subjects are tough, there's suicide, rape, depression.
Interesting cast, vastly differing stories all coming together in the end. A bit bleak, and in the beginning tough to get into because Zhang is not exactly likeable. Still, would recommend.
