A review by emilyceratops
A Map for the Missing by Belinda Huijuan Tang

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

Very accurately captures the haunting chasm between the sense of ambition for a better future, both from the child's perspective and as a parent wanting better for the child, and the sense of guilt of achieving the better future as the child. Devastating to know that both parent and child feel that they were the sole party who had wronged the other but were unable to communicate that. 

The characters go through the gaokao, which is an exam that my parents told me about extensively when I was growing up. My grandma loved to tell the story of how my father was too terrified to go to the centre to look at the board where all their scores were put up, a story that I resonated with as I went through my own high school studies. I hadn't realised this was a feeling that others felt as well.

Some characters also go through the intense jealousy of seeing someone achieve things they are unable to, and some characters go through the guilt of achieving and seeing their loved ones fall short of their shared goal. It's tricky. 

The last chapter

from the father's perspective totally broke me.

Made me cry on the train, and made me glad that I'll soon get to see my own parents soon.