yong : book 12/25 : Honor and Duty by Gus Lee

Do we really need another book about what it's like to grow up as an Asian-American? Yeah, we do. And it's not even like this story is the typical Asian-Am experience. Because it's not. Plenty of Asian kids want to be black. But how many actually grow up with them? They want to be tough. But how many actually work out, get huge, learn to fight in the streets, and then spend ten years learning to box at a predominantly black and brown neighborhood YMCA? Suffer under a truly evil white stepmother? Attend West Point? Suck in math?

Kai Ting is a far, far cry from your typical Asian-American kid. And yet his experience is so very relevant, and so very relatable. And this is all the more so because whereas most authors draw small bits, subjects, and settings from their own experiences, the autobiographical nature of this story is on a whole other level. I'd guess that maybe 70% of the story is factual?

There are weaknesses, sure. I borrowed this book because I couldn't find the author's first one, China Boy. This story refers back to the prior one way more than most sequels, to the point where it gets obviously awkward. And some of the characters and plot developments seem over the top, melodramatic. But both can be understood and forgiven if they are the product of real life rather than crafted story. Because a real life is very much shaped by all the events in one's past. And truth is chock full of strange stories that would never pass muster as credible fiction.

I was very much moved, and I very much enjoyed it. There are loose ends left unresolved, and I sorely wish I knew how they turned out. But again...real life often does have loose ends, as well as tied ends that don't make such a good story and are better left loose.

Two unrelated comments: I can't believe there are only six weeks left in this. And Audrey says Les Mis should count as five books. :)

--Yong, in Michigan (and 11/25 was posted from Connecticut)