A review by josie_wu
Bestiary by K-Ming Chang

4.0

3.5-4 stars. I've picked up and set down this book several times, but I finally decided to start it seriously last week. It's hard for me to gather my thoughts about this book. Chang is one of my favorite writers; her style is gripping, surreal, and grotesque. I grew to love her after following her poetry and flash fiction work. Her foray into the novel territory is certainly ambitious and unlike any book that I've ever read before. It does make me wonder if this style is unsustainable to the longer form; each voice sounded the same regardless of how it flitted between characters. The infrequent dialogue and constant flashbacks/stories within the story slowed the beginning's momentum. However, this novel is a magical, violent, ugly look at the way migration impacts motherhood across generations. It's a story about motherhood and mothering, storytelling and mythology. I'm excited to read more of Chang's writing.