The Chinese Groove, Kathryn Ma

 

The Chinese Groove by Kathryn Ma

Started: 7/14/2023
Completed: 7/16/2023
Recommendation: Recommended
Recommended By:  I read a compelling review in the New York Times.

Review:

This could have been a very sad story, but it mostly wasn't.  The protagonist, Shelly, definitely wears rose colored glasses, but this is not naivete, rather it is mostly a desire to find a way forward no matter the circumstances.  Ma does a good job of throwing a lot at the characters and does an excellent job of making them bewildering to Shelly.  At the same time, Shelly is observant and while he may miss some things and ascribe improper motives (often looking on the bright side), he is generally rather astute when he puts his mind to it.  I enjoyed the "fish out of water/coming of age" troupes that were used and twisted slightly to make them much more interesting.