Interior Chinatown: A Novel

Interior Chinatown: A Novel by Charles Yu

The Chinese have had an interesting place in America. Large populations have been in the country for two centuries. Their waves have preceded significant waves of other European immigrants. However, the others have become "Americans", while the Chinese are still looked at as separate. They have been heavily discriminated against. The were excluded from citizenship and property ownership at times in history. Even marriage with a Chinese person could result in lost citizenship. There have also been violent attacks and destructions of Chinese populations. Yet, Chinese feel unable to take the victimhood like blacks since they have never been slaves. They can't even be like other "colored" minorities because they are seen as being too successful.

This book explores the life of a Chinese man in the form of a script. He aspires to be "Kung Fu Man". However, he seems to be most commonly cast as anonymous Chinese man or delivery boy. Other residents of Chinatown, primarily in the SRO all have their own "anonymous" roles in the world writ large. They struggle to be recognized and find their role. Older brother seems to be better as he actually can be kung fu man. However, he goes off to college. The main guy later meets a girl who can pass as different races. They have a kid together. However, he feels upset that she has more success than him. There is a concluding court case where the primary character is tried for his own death. There are noble speeches, but the jury finds against them. Eventually Kung Fu breaks out and there is a shot with the character being killed off.

I loved the style of the book as well as the interesting look at the Asian condition in North America.