China Mountain Zhang - grimoire.party

English language

Published Nov. 15, 1751

ISBN:: 978-1-4732-1462-0

(1 review)

'I am Zhang, alone with my light, and in that light I think for a moment that I am free.'

Imagine a world where Chinese Marxism has vanquished the values of capitalism and Lenin is the prophet of choice. A cybernetic world where the new charioteers are flyers, human-powered kites dancing in the skies over New York in a brief grab at glory. A world where the opulence of Beijing marks a new cultural imperialism, as wealthy urbanites flirt with interactive death in illegal speakeasies, and where Arctic research stations and communes on Mars are haunted by their own fragile dangers.

A world of fear and hope, of global disaster and slow healing, where progress can only be found in the cracks of a crumbling hegemony. This is the world of Zhang. An anti-hero who's still finding his way, treading a path through a totalitarian order - a path that …

'I am Zhang, alone with my light, and in that light I think for a moment that I am free.'

Imagine a world where Chinese Marxism has vanquished the values of capitalism and Lenin is the prophet of choice. A cybernetic world where the new charioteers are flyers, human-powered kites dancing in the skies over New York in a brief grab at glory. A world where the opulence of Beijing marks a new cultural imperialism, as wealthy urbanites flirt with interactive death in illegal speakeasies, and where Arctic research stations and communes on Mars are haunted by their own fragile dangers.

A world of fear and hope, of global disaster and slow healing, where progress can only be found in the cracks of a crumbling hegemony. This is the world of Zhang. An anti-hero who's still finding his way, treading a path through a totalitarian order - a path that just might make a difference.

5 editions

Kadomi@buecher.pnpde.social reviewed China Mountain Zhang by Harrison Evans Salisbury

Fascinating stories

4 stars

In retrospect, this novel is a highly fascinating collection of stories with a common thread, the titular China Mountain Zhang appearing in most of the stories.

Set in a future where China is the dominant world power, Rafael aka China Mountain Zhang lives in New York, half-Chinese, half-Latino American and queer to boot. Early on, he loses his job, because he does not want to marry the daughter of his Chinese foreman at work, which really is problematic, because ultimately he wants to live the dream of going to university in China. Rafael is the red thread here, and has the most impactful stories, about loneliness at the polar circle, queer experience in China, etc. Subjects are tough, there's suicide, rape, depression.

Interesting cast, vastly differing stories all coming together in the end. A bit bleak, and in the beginning tough to get into because Zhang is not exactly likeable. …

In retrospect, this novel is a highly fascinating collection of stories with a common thread, the titular China Mountain Zhang appearing in most of the stories.

Set in a future where China is the dominant world power, Rafael aka China Mountain Zhang lives in New York, half-Chinese, half-Latino American and queer to boot. Early on, he loses his job, because he does not want to marry the daughter of his Chinese foreman at work, which really is problematic, because ultimately he wants to live the dream of going to university in China. Rafael is the red thread here, and has the most impactful stories, about loneliness at the polar circle, queer experience in China, etc. Subjects are tough, there's suicide, rape, depression.

Interesting cast, vastly differing stories all coming together in the end. A bit bleak, and in the beginning tough to get into because Zhang is not exactly likeable. Still, would recommend.