This is a beautifully engrossing series of short stories that provides a wide depiction of the Chinese diaspora. It is impossible to put down. I missed out on downloading this from NetGalley in time, but bought a copy when it was released and I'm so happy that I did—it's a must-read.

I really enjoyed this collection of stories filled with various people and situations. It will engage you from the first page with its flawless writing and keep you flipping the pages as you make your way from one story to the next. Recommended. Happy reading!

Jack Wang has written short stories set on 5 continents. The six stories cover nearly a century of history of the Chinese diaspora. They cover subjects from a Canadian couple who gets caught in Shanghai during the Second Sin-Japanese war to buying a house in post-colonial South Africa. The one that impressed me the most deals with the Chinese consulate trying to save lives after Kristallnacht in Vienna. They may be fiction, but the experiences ring true and could exemplify experiences experienced by many disenfranchised people.

Jack Wang's We Two Alone is a somewhat melancholic collection of stories, but one that offers readers a wealth of interesting characters and situations. The stories explore life for Chinese expatriates and their families in a variety of times and settings. There's the diplomat posted to Germany as Hitler is rising to power, a young boy who dreams of playing professional ice hockey, and an aging pair of never-quite-got-their-big-break actors, among others. It's this variety that makes the book particularly compelling as we see the commonalities and differences among these people. This is a book to read when you're feeling reflective, open to considering life's nuances and the big impacts of small moments.

I received an electronic ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

Thank you to House of Anansi Press & NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!

Available September 1st 2020

Spanning the across land and time, Jack Wang's "We Two Alone" is an exploration of love in the Chinese diaspora. Whether it's the decidedly queer 19th century hockey player or the lovesick university student, Wang has a knack for building the scene, breathing life into a specific moment while still showcasing an unique aspect of Chinese immigrant culture. Each of these tense short stories feature star crossed lovers who come almost come together and have to grapple with their race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, of their dreams and aspirations in a world that is often cruel and xenophobic. Like warm homemade bao, "We Two Alone" offers a sense of comfort that can only be found sitting at one's own kitchen table.