The seven short stories in this anthology almost defy classification. Their plots might hinge on a sudden moment of criminal madness – theft, murder, rape – but each of these self-contained stories is about something far more subtle, the brutalisation of the soul, perhaps; the subjugation of the self. The author was a police officer in China, and his writing definitely displays the authority of hard-earned experience.

The narratives might offer intimate insights into modern Chinese relationships and society, but at times you can feel every minute of the millennia of cultural distance between East and West. Don’t expect to be spoon-fed high drama or histrionics. These aren’t frothy romps to be devoured in short order. Nor are they instantly accessible. The language might’ve been flawlessly translated, but the underlying state of mind and the hidden messages are far harder to fathom.

The storytelling is at times almost stilted, so detached and understated that the characters are almost impossible to relate to. It feels weirdly other-worldly and slightly out of focus. I simply couldn’t relate to many of the situations, and presume that I was missing out on the meaning of the metaphors.

However, this means that the rare moments of unexpected connection are all the more powerful. It’s like lightning slicing through metaphysical mist, but blink and you might miss a pivotal instance of illumination.

Not an easy anthology to enjoy. Rather, one to admire after absorbing over time.

6/10

A collection of literary fiction short stories, set in China and translated from Chinese. The collection focuses on crime and darker aspects of life and love. The unique and well-written stories explore Chinese society and the complexity of its individuals.

Crime features in most of the stories. The author’s knowledge of forensic science colours many of the stories, which are often explicit and graphic. Descriptions of violence and its results make some of the stories closer to horror fiction, but the underlying theme is, what people as individuals and en masse are capable of, given the right provocation.

The stories give the reader a sense of life in China. Like all short stories, some are easier to relate to than others, but if you are looking for something different, and can accept graphic descriptions, this is worth reading.

I received a copy of this book from Flame Tree Press via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This collection of stories is quite unlike anything I have read before, and takes the reader to some very dark places indeed, and, although not a regular reader of this literary form, I was impressed by the scope of issues that Yi encompasses within them.

Auspiciously, there are seven stories within the collection:

TWO LIVES: ATTIC: SPRING: BACH: HUMAN SCUM: FAT DUCK: PREDATOR

From the incredibly disturbing opening story, through tales of twisted morality, with a broad sweep and consideration of themes like family, loyalty, betrayal, retribution, sex and redemption, there is much to savour here for those stout of heart and strong of stomach. In terms of writing style there is a brevity of writing and pared down use of language, perhaps reflecting an influence of the hardboiled style of early American crime fiction. The stories are peppered with cultural references and differing locations, that to a certain extent seem to reflect the mind-set and motivations of Yi’s cast of characters, all of whom are vividly depicted in terms of appearance, character traits, and, in some cases, plunging us deep into the darkness that lurks at the heart of them. Don’t expect to empathise with his characters and prepare yourself for some pretty damning observations on the worst that humankind can be…

I wouldn’t say that this collection is for everyone, as Yi has no truck with softening the grim motivations of some of his characters, and there are a few genuinely uncomfortable scenes. However, it was interesting for me to read a literary form that I don’t experience regularly, and I enjoyed the way in which Yi provides a piercing insight into Chinese culture and society, and to explore the darker areas of the human psyche.

I am always saying I am a huge fan of short stories and this collection is no different. I will start by saying that this book is not for the faint hearted amongst you. It deals with a lot of issues, and includes violence.

There are seven stories in the book and if you don’t mind a challenging read then this is definitely for you. Yes it is dark but it is so well written that the characters and situations come off the page and I have found the book stay with you after. Making you think, and I always find this a good thing.

Highly recommended.

I'm usually a big fan of anything to do with China but only managed one and a half stories from this collection before giving up. Just too obscure for me.

n Two Lives A Yi tells seven stories with life, love and crime as their central themes. His writing has been described as on the dark side and he’s known for his “bizarre literary style and utterly unsentimental worldview”.

Two Lives is the manifestation of these comments. Having read a fair amount of writing from Chinese, Japanese and Korean authors, I thought I knew what I was letting myself in for. One can expect a certain amount of quirkiness, stripped down prose and a different worldview from your own. However, this was a whole other cup of tea and not a flavour I was particularly fond of.

As mentioned above, the book consists of seven stories: Two Lives; Attic; Spring; Bach; Human Scum; Fat Duck and Predator. Two Lives starts off with the main character raping a woman because he failed his college entrance exam for the eighth year straight and the woman he sees cycle past looks at him “disdainfully”. This is followed by another attack on a woman by two other men. Attic tells the story of a woman who is forced to marry someone she doesn’t love and develops depression – which is ignored and laughed at by her family and doctor. Spring details the murder of a prostitute. And those are only the first three stories. This is also as far as I could manage to read this short story anthology.

Brace yourself for a fair amount of profanity, graphic detail, violence and ample sexual references to anatomy. This being said, I’m not shocked easily, but I did find this, in combination to the depiction of women, offensive. Women are either depicted as victims, prostitutes or as nagging and waddling like ducks. Men are abusers or worthless at finding their way in life. Yi’s world is a grim reality and this coming from someone who reads crime novels on a daily basis and grisly Nordic Noir before bedtime.

It is possible to be a creative writer with a unique style and dark topics, but it’s possible without these additional aspects. I can also appreciate avant-garde writing, but apart from above mentioned, large parts of these stories did not make logical sense at all.

According to the Paper Republic website Yi previously worked as a police officer, secretary and editor before he started to write fiction. He is described as not being celebrated in China’s literary circles due to his standoffish personality and stubborn dedication to his art.

Clearly Yi is an acquired taste, one I’m OK to pass along for someone else to experience. Nonetheless, his style of writing and choice of subject matter will appeal to a certain demographic.

Thank you to Flame Tree Press for this review copy. I only regret not being able to give a more positive review!

Seven divergent tales of contemporary Chinese life by a police officer, detailing characters often non-empathetic but others admirable, in the new series from Flame Tree Press.

This was a really good novel, each of the stories had a unique voice and I enjoyed each story in this book. I don't think there was a weak story in there. I look forward to more in the Stories from China series if they are as good as this book is.

I like the style of the writing, which is somewhat typical Chinese, but I also like stories that make sense. These don't.

I wanted to like this but just couldn't get into these stories. Translated works sometimes loose something in English, but I'm not sure that was the case with this book. These are pretty eccentric stories, so if that's what you're seeking this might be for you.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

This book made me feel all the feelings… but not those you’d want to feel. Doubt, upset, indifference, shock, anger, guilt… So I’m releasing all of them, and I decided today to leave this book DNF. It’s just not for me.

A Yi is the pseudonym for a Chinese writer, who used to work as a policeman and whose name is now in more than one list of the up-and-comings in contemporary Chinese fiction. I was tempted. “Tales of life, love and crime” (as the subtitle promises) ? Short stories? Stylish cover? Sign me up!

The doubt arose very soon because I really have no clue what I was reading for long stretches of the book. It made no sense to me. People talked, people went in and out of rooms, but I didn’t “get” it. I even started to doubt the stylish cover. What is this weird red-eyed furry blue animal exactly? Now, I’ve dealt with bizarre and grotesque in Chinese literature before. In fact, I rather enjoyed Ma Jian’s China Dream last year. But this one is another, rather chilling, animal.

After doubt came indifference. I didn’t manage to care for any character, but I’m not sure if it was expected from me, as the characters were not likeable. Actions seemed random, as were the sudden bursts of violence. It came so out of the blue that I was shocked. And then I was angry, because women were getting killed over nothing and I’m fed up with this kind of crap in literature (as in real life, but if I can avoid reading about fictional ones, that’s better). And then I felt guilty, because I possibly misunderstood the whole thing and it might be my fault… And the cycle started over again.

Another reader will probably enjoy it better than me. In fact, I’d love for someone to explain what I’d miss. But right now, I’ll just pass.

Thank you Net Galley. I did not like this book . I found it amoral, misogynistic and repulsive. I am not going to read more by this author..

I certainly liked the translation which felt authentic such that I found myself missing out the definite articles as often happens when native Chinese speakers speak English. The stories turned out not to be my cup of tea though - black yes, full of death yes, but bizarre and I freely admit that I only made it to the end of 'Bach' at about 67% in. Death featured rather heavily and strange characters who were 28 but had disappeared for the last 30 years of their lives (I must have got that wrong somewhere but didn't feel the urge to return and find out where). There seemed to be no strong thread through any story, no beginning, middle, end. I guess too avant garde for me. I appreciate the opportunity to try something outside my comfort zone, it's how we can enrich our lives and I also feel somewhat guilty about leaving a low score - not my type of book after all but others will think differently as it is well-written/translated., Thanks to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.