I was approached by Booktasters in connecting me with the author for an honest review.
Let me first start by saying how much I enjoyed reading this book. Albeit, it took me a long time to complete it due to work obligations. However, the premise of this book is very much written like a Literary Fiction to me.
Things I like:
Chapter-less book
This is straight up storytelling at its best! Very clever way of engaging his reader. It keeps you wanting to know more. Also, you're in his head all the time. Not many authors are able to pull it off this way by allowing his readers to be engaged throughout the entire book without a single chapter division. Refreshing!
Character Development
First, I thought I'm reading a Mike's autobiography instead, or Billy. I have a question for him, how much of it is his story while he was growing up? The reading experience feels very personal and raw. That sentiment of nostalgia hits right through the heart as I was reading the book. There were so much things that I could relate to him whilst I was growing up with a twin half Chinese half Caucasian friends myself.
[I am so delighted to have the author's response to my question, thank you Michael! :-
"And to answer the embedded question about autobiographical elements, while the overarching plot is fiction, a lot of pieces do derived directly from my lived experience. I’m a couple decades older than Billy, but his upbringing as a minority in a homogeneously white small town, friendships, and intense crush on someone he doesn’t really know are elements directly inspired by my life."]
Secondly, his family dynamics is what I like most. Especially Grandpa. Eccentric in a good way since most of the Asian grandparents react the same way as how Mike depicts it. For example, silent agreement, diplomatically passive… etc to name a few.
The entire bunch of Boil Crew was my favourite. How much they grew together despite their differences. Who got together with whom. And their ever enriching idiosyncrasy boil! has always been fun with reactions visibly written.
Plot Development
Here lies the development of a love interest until it's very anti-climactic reality about a person we used to form in our mind when we like someone. It's a very familiar ground where the minds runs wild about a person until we speak to them. And there was a change in pacing and writing style towards the last few pages? I don't mean it in a bad way, but it kept me going really fast and so much so I enjoy how much Billy has moved on and grow.
It is a beautiful journey you'll enjoy it from the eyes of Billy Chen.
Overall, would I recommend it? Of course! This is my first ever chapter-less book and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you Mike, it is such a privilege to read such a beautiful story. It's just not getting enough traction! Keep it up, Mike!
