One of the author's better novels. Lee returns to the setting of the fictional NoCal town Rosarita Bay, which he portrays in his short story collection "Yellow" with a smattering of the characters from his early book, reappearing in this book. The lead character, Lyndon Song, is a famous sculptor who left the NY art scene and takes up brussell sprout farming, while also growing several strains of marijuana on his farmland. As with Lee's other books, much of the character development seems drawn from real life - Song's abstract sculptural work seems based closely upon the work of Chinese sculptor Xu Bing, who works with made up calligraphy and handwriting in his work. The characters are quirky and crunchy - a surfer who lost his foot in a shark attack, an aging martial arts movie star, an Asian American movie producer - who also happens to be Lyndon's brother, a local politician who also dabbles in gourmet chocolates. What I like best about Lee's Asian American protagonists is their existence outside of model minority stereotypes - their achievements and failings in work and in relationships. If you know Half Moon Bay, the story is fun because it all takes place in Rosarita, er, Half Moon Bay and gets the local vibe pretty accurately. The story itself, though, isn't totally engaging because several of the characters are either off-putting or straight out of central casting or just don't ring true to me. Also he interrupts the story from time to time for extensive lectures on the life cycle of the snowy plover or the artistic conflicts of a sculptor. Still, a lot of energy and fun in there.
What do You think about Wrack And Ruin (2008)?
I just can't get into this book. It is a bit too contrived. It's OK, but think I'll move on.
—mely_precious
A meandering sort of tale. It doesn't really take you anywhere, but the scenery is pleasant.
—GalacticSiren
Close but no kimchi. It seemed like a Seoul-ful Milagro Beanfield War to me.
—saraf_yash
reading duo choice. Entertaining so far.
—ilse_myeye
