Reviews

Innovative and beautiful writing. Set out like a screenplay, Interior Chinatown tells the story of Willis Wu who moves through life playing the only roles that seem available to him -- most often Generic Asian Man. Throughout the book it's unclear whether Willis is performing these roles in a TV show or if this is happening in his real life -- the lines between art and reality are blurred and the novel shows how insidious stereotypes are and how these can become internalised by the people they imitate.

The book outlines how America's history of legislation that prevented Asian immigrants owning property and becoming citizens has created a hostile society and dictated a certain performance that is pervasive to this day. It's especially prescient at a time when Asian Americans are experiencing increased racism and hate crimes, and shows how systemic and ingrained this xenophobia is.

The relationships between Willis, his parents (particularly in their back stories) and his wife and child are especially moving. Highly recommend.

leah_alexandra's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious fast-paced

4.0

This was a really interesting read with an inventive structure I haven’t seen before. Very effective thematically, although the reader is a bit hit over the head with message towards the end. I think the book is generally stronger where it’s a bit more subtle. I do wish it went a little deeper into the character/story. It can sometimes feel surface level. But very much worth a read!

joetatum24's review

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5.0

4.5

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