Some stories were more cohesive and dazzling than others

Land of Big Numbers by Te-Ping Chen was largely set in China (and a story centered in the United States), this collection of short stories ambitiously covers lots of ground: from rural villages to bustling cities, activists to party hopefuls, from the mundane to the surreal. It reads surprisingly quickly, given the heavy topics addressed. Each story is laden with social commentary - some focus more on the multifaceted relationships between citizens and their government or community, and others turn inward and showcase the struggle to find a sense of meaning, identity, and connection. As is the case with many short story collections, I found that some stories were more cohesive and dazzling than others, so altogether, 3.5 stars. Overall, the collection is recommended for those that can be motivated to read character driven short stories, that aren't necessarily propelled by a plot.