Seldom can a book combine the mess that is normally associated with race, religion, gender, age, tradition, love, and hatred, and mix them just right to create the perfect end results. Leaving you satisfied and full, but still wanting more.
This is exactly how Gish Jen’s novel,”World and Town” impacts the reader; making the reader feel as if they are on a hill, watching the everyday struggles and accomplishments of the average small town in America and what many would consider typical residents. Emphasizing on the small town politics, that create the drama, humor, and connections that both divide and unite people everywhere.
This is exactly how Gish Jen’s novel,”World and Town” impacts the reader; making the reader feel as if they are on a hill, watching the everyday struggles and accomplishments of the average small town in America and what many would consider typical residents. Emphasizing on the small town politics, that create the drama, humor, and connections that both divide and unite people everywhere.
From the residents that have spent most of their lives living in one small town, to the retirees and urban-ites that are all running away and hiding from something or someone, there is a character in this excellent book that will appeal to every reader, regardless of their background, age, or political perspective.
You could be a Right Wing religious fanatic who believes that, “they should all be sent back from where they came from.” Or, an Eco-Nazi set on destroying every SUV, and plans to vote for Ralph Nader, again, and you would both get something from this great book.
Using both her Asian background and American way of thinking, Jen often compares the two ways of thinking, West versus East, choosing to point out the flaws and benefits of both ways of thinking and the different religions, Buddhism and Christianity, that influence both regions and their approach to solving life’s everyday problems. Bringing the two religions into a subtle but obvious enough study for a close comparison of how the two religions impact the lives of those in a small town that believe and practice the two religions Even the lives of those who do not practice or believe in religion altogether.
If it has been too long since you have felt angry or happy for a character in a book or never wanted the book to end, then “World and Town” is just for you. I recommend that you either download or purchase the book as soon as possible.
I have been attending Yuba College for since Fall of 2010 and have been on the The Prospector staff for two semesters. As a Political science major, I am interested in every aspect of politics, especially how our society responds to politics and politics to society.
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