Reviews

Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu

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leah_alexandra's review against another edition

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 against another edition

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5.0

4.5

merppenguin's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny reflective sad fast-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

3.0

mluce789's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

sofiercely's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

happylilkt's review against another edition

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This book has a highly original structure and reads quickly. Honestly, some of the format was a little hard for me to grasp--I think maybe if I were in TV or read screenplays I might get it?--I just rolled with it, but I feel as though I was missing something... Regardless, the writer is very clever and even though (incredibly) he writes in the SECOND PERSON it actually works (for the most part). I can see why this was award-nominated as it's really different from anything else I've read.

So, the only reason I am not finishing it is that here at the mid-point the novelty has worn off and it seems like the same situation is cycling over and over without any real development (maybe that's the point? Maybe if I stick with it I will be rewarded? I've been burned lately and have my own baggage as a reader...). But, really it's that I have a bunch of other books I want to read and this wasn't so compelling that I felt like I *had* to finish it.

Notes: 1) The humor and agenda of this is very much built upon race politics so if that is (or isn't) your jam, now you know. 2) Because of its unusual format I don't think this would be a great candidate for audiobook...