I'm only a couple chapters in, but she had me with her note at the beginning about the languages the characters in the novel speak: "If you, the reader, find yourself confused, I hope instead of giving up, you might take a moment to imagine what it must be like for those who have to navigate this on a daily basis, and then forge onward."
This is the best version of what I've wanted to say in critique groups when people (usually white men) say they're "confused" by something from a culture or historical period they're not familiar with. I'm forging onward, and still excited to see where this goes.
Yes, I also loved this note! It reminded me of a note from a book by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi called Kintu that was set in Uganda. She prefaces it by saying that this book is for Ugandans and if you're not from Ugandan culture, you might be confused, and that's okay! Love the invitation to sit with your confusion or discomfort, and also to invite people to learn more about other languages and culture.
I loved how she approached languages in this book. The name switching can be confusing for a moment, but it reflected so much of their identity and culture as they switch back and forth between Mandarin, Cantonese, English and their associated names.
I'm only a couple chapters in, but she had me with her note at the beginning about the languages the characters in the novel speak: "If you, the reader, find yourself confused, I hope instead of giving up, you might take a moment to imagine what it must be like for those who have to navigate this on a daily basis, and then forge onward."
This is the best version of what I've wanted to say in critique groups when people (usually white men) say they're "confused" by something from a culture or historical period they're not familiar with. I'm forging onward, and still excited to see where this goes.
Yes, I also loved this note! It reminded me of a note from a book by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi called Kintu that was set in Uganda. She prefaces it by saying that this book is for Ugandans and if you're not from Ugandan culture, you might be confused, and that's okay! Love the invitation to sit with your confusion or discomfort, and also to invite people to learn more about other languages and culture.
Wow, my little rural library has this book. Going to pick up today!
I loved how she approached languages in this book. The name switching can be confusing for a moment, but it reflected so much of their identity and culture as they switch back and forth between Mandarin, Cantonese, English and their associated names.
Loved this book so much. It also made me furious at how much history was fully left out of my education. I learned so much from this book!
Starting it now because of this!!
Started it today thanks to this wonderful post, Roxane ❤️ excited for the discussion l!
No, but gosh publishers have gotten good at covers!