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peelspls's review against another edition
5.0
Fun, fast-paced and gripping plot
This was a wonderful fast read and also really funny in ways that I don't think were intended, or obvious. For example, the protagonist, Liu Yuejin is an incompetent blundering cook at a construction site, but he turns out to be surprisingly talented at evading not just one, but three converging authorities trying to find him. Similarly, a man who believes he's no longer being chased finds himself still locked in a chase.
I also really liked how the story delves into thievery as a concept. On one hand, there's billionaires manipulated as chess pieces by the government, based on who has and who collects kompromat. On the other hand, there's petty thieves, robbers and gang wars carried out across the vast metropolitan landscape of Beijing and its expanding urban sweep. All these characters seem motivated by different things, but ultimately all of their motivation boils down to possessing money. The cast of characters is large, and the style of the novel allows each character to reveal a surprising element of their backstory as this unfolds. These personal shades of their fears, hopes and insecurities also colors why they are chasing the things they need, and how some character flaws don't really change with growth. I know that most haute literature tried to sneer at plot-heavy works, and instead focuses on characterization. But this work exists in pace and style entirely because of the messiness of each of the characters involved. At some point, I was remembering them via their occupations because their names (the Lao name, for example) was shared by many characters in the story.
I also found this story very familiar in the ways of how urbanization and corruption rackets operate simultaneously. Rural India and Rural China don't feel that different in terms of how a metropolis chews up their people and resources with the promise of a better lifestyle. I definitely enjoyed reading this both as a palate cleanser and also to get back to reading consistently again. Would love to read more from this author.
This was a wonderful fast read and also really funny in ways that I don't think were intended, or obvious. For example, the protagonist, Liu Yuejin is an incompetent blundering cook at a construction site, but he turns out to be surprisingly talented at evading not just one, but three converging authorities trying to find him. Similarly, a man who believes he's no longer being chased finds himself still locked in a chase.
I also really liked how the story delves into thievery as a concept. On one hand, there's billionaires manipulated as chess pieces by the government, based on who has and who collects kompromat. On the other hand, there's petty thieves, robbers and gang wars carried out across the vast metropolitan landscape of Beijing and its expanding urban sweep. All these characters seem motivated by different things, but ultimately all of their motivation boils down to possessing money. The cast of characters is large, and the style of the novel allows each character to reveal a surprising element of their backstory as this unfolds. These personal shades of their fears, hopes and insecurities also colors why they are chasing the things they need, and how some character flaws don't really change with growth. I know that most haute literature tried to sneer at plot-heavy works, and instead focuses on characterization. But this work exists in pace and style entirely because of the messiness of each of the characters involved. At some point, I was remembering them via their occupations because their names (the Lao name, for example) was shared by many characters in the story.
I also found this story very familiar in the ways of how urbanization and corruption rackets operate simultaneously. Rural India and Rural China don't feel that different in terms of how a metropolis chews up their people and resources with the promise of a better lifestyle. I definitely enjoyed reading this both as a palate cleanser and also to get back to reading consistently again. Would love to read more from this author.
jayrinehart's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
anna143143's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tofi_15's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
sarah984's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a crime thriller set in Beijing which features business moguls and migrant workers from around China. I found all of the cultural details really interesting, lots of little sayings and regional stereotypes I didn't know anything about.
The start was a little slow as characters were introduced but once things started happening this book went wild with misunderstandings and double-crosses and secret identities. It felt almost like a Cohen brothers movie. The characters were mostly heinous but that's fine since that's not why you read this kind of thriller anyway (though the extended subplot about one guy’s erectile dysfunction was a bit much).
The ending was disappointing though. It felt like the plot built and built and then the book just kind of abruptly ended.
The start was a little slow as characters were introduced but once things started happening this book went wild with misunderstandings and double-crosses and secret identities. It felt almost like a Cohen brothers movie. The characters were mostly heinous but that's fine since that's not why you read this kind of thriller anyway (though the extended subplot about one guy’s erectile dysfunction was a bit much).
The ending was disappointing though. It felt like the plot built and built and then the book just kind of abruptly ended.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Abortion, Animal death, Blood, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual content, Stalking, Trafficking, and Vomit
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