I liked this book for its interesting blend of humor and thought-provoking story elements introduced by the unique narrator. Takes place in San Francisco and in Taipei and features a loveable ogre of a mom who reigns long after her death... ( )

Emerson Chang is a buttoned-up, forty-year-old Taiwanese-American. He's always known that his mother preferred his younger brother, Little P, even though Little P lost touch with the family ten years ago after moving back to Taiwan. But even so, it comes as a shock to Emerson when after his mother's death, he finds out that she left her motel to Little P. Emerson goes to Taipei to track down his brother, and enters a grimy, dystopian twilight world.

The book then rapidly declines into foreigner-in-nightmarishly-incomprehensible-situation cliche. Walls drip with mould. Sinister comments are made. People Emerson has just met issue obscure warnings: "get out now ... I can't tell you why. I have an obligation." Terrified women are glimpsed in dark corners. And I, regretfully (because it would be nice to read a good book set in Taiwan), close the book and hurl it from me. ( )

This is one of the first EarlyReviewers books I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. It was a wonderful first novel - gripping, solid, sharp & streetwise. I found the character & voice of Emerson compelling - certainly an interesting choice for a main character, and I think Lin pulls off both her portrayal of him and working through him as a narrative voice very well. The prose is beautiful without becoming overwrought or sugary, the plot is engaging, and the few drawbacks included a somewhat hazy sense of time and the characters of Little P and Angel, which I felt at times were somewhat strained, bordering on unrealistic. Overall, I excited to see what Lin will produce in the future. ( )

2009 edgar best first novel