I think my book group chose this book of short stories to gain some insight into contemporary China. Well, I'm not sure what I am taking away from these 10 stories. They certainly don't play to stereotype. Most don't even really end. Some hint at magical realism and some just left me with a dissatisfied sense of understanding. Chen is a journalist and it does seem like she went looking for a story, reported what she saw and then just decided, "there. done." I guess maybe she is saying, "We are a large, diverse country and not what the west expects." If pulling back the curtain was her intent, I am still not sure what it is I am meant to see.
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