Shouhua Qi

It was interesting to read a Chinese flash fiction anthology (and it is an anthology, many different authors, not just one). The first third of the book was very good but the later stories didn't hold my interest as well. But that's okay, it's a long book so I still felt like I got my money's worth. What stood out as quite different from the typical American flash collection was the total lack of snark. I didn't realize we Americans were so smart-alecky until I read this and noted the contrast, in fact. These stories often seem to include a moral to the story. The earnestness was refreshing.… (meer)

This collection of short stories by a man who grew up during China's Cultural Revolution reminded me almost immediately of my time spent in China. The big difference, of course, is that I experienced China as a guest and a foreigner. For Dr. Qi's characters, on the other hand, China is their home and fatherland. (or is it motherland? I forget their preferred gender) Overall, I found the book to be somewhat poignant, though Mr. Qi also caused me to smile more than once. I was a bit surprised by the rampant adultery (never presented graphically) in the book. How accurately Dr. Qi caught that area of Chinese culture, I don't know. There was a lot that I missed during my brief time there. (Sheesh! Can that be taken the wrong way. Let me clarify: I had no interest in adultery in China. Nor did any adulterers proclaim their activities to me.)(If there was a Chinese equivalent to The Jerry Springer Show, I couldn't understand the language to watch it.) Anyway, it's a good book and I'm going to have to keep it on my shelf for those times when I'm missing my "home" in the Far East.
--J.… (meer)