World and Town

Now why don’t books like this get attention as a Great, Sweeping American Novel of Our Time, a la Mr. Franzen’s “Freedom”? (I know, I know, it’s a whole new literary year, get over it. But, in my defense, this book was published in the same year, so I think it’s a fair question!) This novel is about......more

What a pleasure to read this smart, warm novel from Gish Jen. It's another in a small but growing collection of books about getting older -- not getting decrepit or sick or depressed, but just getting older, with all the perspective such maturity can endow. If you've already enjoyed Anne Tyler's "Di......more

This was the September book for my book club. I have to admit that wanted to stop reading early on, but as I was the leader for this book, I trudged on. While working through book, I suspected no one in my book club would finish this book. I was correct. The reason they quit was the reason I wanted......more

I have read several books by Gish Jen, whom I admire very much. I am impressed how tremendously varied is her narrator's voice from one book to the next. This book is populated by people who seem often on the edge of credibility yet they are nonetheless familiar. I recommend it.......more