Jimmy Brewster
I wanted to read Tea with the Black Dragon by R.A. MacAvoy because I have been curious to read more Nebula & Hugo award winners and nominees. This novel was nominated for both, and though it did not win either, it did win the Locus First Novel award in 1984.
The story itself is a very fun crime mystery that reminds me of something along the lines of the TV show "Murder, She Wrote". It features two older people who develop a relationship and attempt to solve the mystery of a missing daughter. The plot is a fun adventure. Additionally, at only 166 pages, it is a very quick and easy read.
Unfortunately, the story is steeped in cultural appropriation, orientalism, stereotypes, and racism. I went into the story expecting some of that, but it was more distracting than I expected. Nearly every single chapter must remind us that the protagonist is Chinese, and often in uncomfortable ways.
I would probably not recommend this novel, unless you are very curious to read something by this author.
I wanted to read Tea with the Black Dragon by R.A. MacAvoy because I have been curious to read more Nebula & Hugo award winners and nominees. This novel was nominated for both, and though it did not win either, it did win the Locus First Novel award in 1984.
The story itself is a very fun crime mystery that reminds me of something along the lines of the TV show "Murder, She Wrote". It features two older people who develop a relationship and attempt to solve the mystery of a missing daughter. The plot is a fun adventure. Additionally, at only 166 pages, it is a very quick and easy read.
Unfortunately, the story is steeped in cultural appropriation, orientalism, stereotypes, and racism. I went into the story expecting some of that, but it was more distracting than I expected. Nearly every single chapter must remind us that the protagonist is Chinese, and often in uncomfortable ways.
I would probably not recommend this novel, unless you are very curious to read something by this author.