Reviews

Rouge Street: Three Novellas by Shuang Xuetao

snaaaaaaaaaake's review

5.0

I don’t usually enjoy reading fiction but this collection of medium-length stories is written in a matter-of-fact and purposeful way. I think it’d be difficult to appreciate the book without some knowledge and interest in the historical context, though.

beansrowning's review

5.0

I picked this one up randomly and quickly became hooked. One of the best I've read in a long time.

All three novellas are so finely crafted, from the characters to the blighted city backdrop. My favorite of the three (by a small margin) was Moses on the Plain.

Highly deserving of the praise, and judging by some of the reviews I've seen, probably underrated among western audiences.

protovulcan's review

reflective fast-paced

4.25

I love the way this author switched between characters and how they all related to each other in this unique web

hanbaga's review

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

maryftay's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

unboxedjack's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

sjfrancis's review

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.25

nickdleblanc's review

4.0

4.5 stars. Each story is better than the last with Moses on the Plain being a near-masterpiece of "crime" fiction. I wish there was more of SX's work out there in English translation, I truly enjoyed this collection. The prose is spare, the magical realism has a light touch, I like the use of emdash for dialogue (it reminded me of Joyce), Just an all around great read and probably the best new book I have read in a while.

The only reason I stay at a 4.5 rather than 5 star review is the first story, Aeronaut. That one felt more derivative and didn't entirely work for me.

cmcgarvey's review

reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

alisarae's review

I haven't read much by Chinese authors and the narrative construction is a different than a typical western format. Shifting perspectives and extended networks of characters were a bit hard to follow because it's not very familiar to me. But well worth it, and I enjoyed the prose. Moses on the Plain was my favorite of the three novellas because the murder mystery unfolding through the perspectives of so many people was expertly told.

It was lovely to revisit Shenyang--makes me want jiaozi and a glass of peanut milk!