The Naked Wedding: And other short stories by Kevin McGeary
The Naked Wedding: And other short stories
by Kevin McGeary
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Ratings 4.4/5
Synopsis
This short story collection revolves around Shenzhen, one of the most exciting cities in China, and therefore the world. Having grown by fifty times in four decades, Shenzhen encapsulates the nation's economic miracle, and its associated growing pains. From a tale narrated by an anthropomorphised iPhone reincarnated from a Foxconn worker to one that takes in a broken engagement and the possibility of female infanticide, "The Naked Wedding: And Other Tales from the Overnight City" has a bit of everything. From China's impoverished side, where factory workers are driven to take their own lives, to its prosperous side, where people have gone from the barnyard to the boardroom so fast they have neglected to shed the manners along the way".
My Thoughts
Kevin McGeary’s characters are distinctively interesting, in the way that they carry remnants of their homes, families, heritage, and memories, wherever they go. The theme of identity is a constant one. There are characters who pine for love, pain, belonging, discovery, and more. McGeary's short stories are flawless in all of their aspects, whether it is the plot or the tone. And it is his placid, constant voice that melts all elements together so seamlessly that you can only perceive them as one whole, an experience.
A short story is supposed to reach the very heart of the matter, not make a journey there. And that is truly what Lahiri’s stories do, starting at the heart of these themes, and letting the readers make their way around. And the most significant indicator of this characteristic is the fact that even though I read these stories only once, they have stayed with me. I remember the characters, the voice, the plot, of every single story, and that is rare. It only goes to prove how the collection captures you completely, and one will surely find themselves immersed in these brilliant lives and stories.
Story themes are so pervasive that it can be overwhelming for someone with little knowledge of the culture , relationships and emotions or someone who has little interest in the culture. It can be helpful to space the reading of the stories out a bit to let each unique experience soak in before moving on to the next. But these are stories definitely worth the time.
This book not only it gives a glimpse into another relationship, but also, it is a learning experience if the reader can analyze and interpret it with a discerning eye.
Highly Recommended!
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