A review by acarter
Straw Dogs of the Universe by Ye Chun

5.0

Oh, I just loved this sweeping historical saga. The characters feel so real, and they broke my heart a thousand times over as I watched them struggle and persevere and give up and fight back against years of systemic oppression, exclusion, violence, and fear-mongering. Yet the novel doesn't allow itself to be the sort of underdog story in which the characters face endless brutality whilst maintaining a plucky spirit -- instead, Ye Chun shows the devastating effects of facing violent racism and misogyny, all while complicating the notion of what it means to leave home, to search for home, and to make a home.