A Thousand Years of Good Prayers by Yiyun Li (July 2017)
The
stories in this collection are either set in China or about
Chinese-Americans. Each story explores the back-and-forth dynamic of how
tradition influences change and change influences tradition.
Throughout, Li's characters grapple with these larger forces and try to
find ways to reconcile their culture's expectations with the urgent realities of their lives.
The two stories I enjoyed the
most were 'Extra' and 'A Thousand Years of Good Prayers'. The last
paragraph of 'The Princess of Nebraska' was memorable. Overall, I found
the collection very enjoyable and I'm likely to explore more of Li's
work.
The idea I liked most in this collection came in a story
about a daughter who spoke more freely in English than she did in her
native Chinese. For some, learning a new language is a chance at
self-expression restricted or repressed by the native tongue. What
struck me is how this does not necessarily apply only to spoken languages;
the effect could be the same for someone who learns a new skill,
develops a new hobby, or joins a new community. In a way, all things
develop their own language and any activity is an opportunity to explore greater self-expression.
