Captivating

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I typically view books that open with birth scenes as utilizing a cheap ploy for immediate drama, so it's saying a lot that this story immediately captured my attention despite opening with a cesarean section. Perhaps because Chen quickly reveals that the story is focused on twins, there is an immediate interest in these characters and their (complicated?) relationship. It is immediately apparent that despite being twins, many differences will be revealed between them. The writing is beautiful, lyrical at times, drawing me into what seems like it will be a captivating character-driven story set in a country we don't always get a window into.

I look forward to reading most of these stories - a few sound a bit bizarre and/or fantastical - but overall it looks like there will be beautiful journeys into a somewhat mysterious country and its inhabitants.