Play Book Tag discussion

I love a good dystopian novel and I generally love this author, but this book just didn't click for me.

Set in American in the near future, China and Chinese people have been made the national scapegoats for everything wrong in the world. In response PACT is put in place: the Protect American Culture and Traditions. This law allows for atrocities to occur - both large and small.

The story centers around the removal of children from people perceived to violate PACT. Impacting Asian-Americans as well as anyone stepping up to defend Asian-Americans or opposing PACT in any way.

Bird Gardener is a 12-year old Asian-American growing up with PACT as a reality. He poet mother Margaret has been identified as anti-PACT and subversive. She's elected to leave Bird and his father, disappearing from their lives to protect them. But we learn there really is no safety for anyone.

Ng clearly feels this topic strongly. But....for me I think this book felt a bit like a kitchen sink of everything on her mind. And in fact the author's note at the end describes her inspirations and influences for the book - and it's a lot. Historical childhood removal from Native Americans, WWII Japanese internment, art as protest, current anti-Asian bias and violence, censorship across time. She didn't name the Spanish Inquisition or early American witch hunts, but the story clearly has an element of "tell on your neighbor".

I think it was a valiant effort of a book - and I look forward to her future books. I hope she can distill some of her angst into something that holds together better (for me).

Thanks for your review - first I have seen that does not praise her. Interesting. I will try it but am glad that I know one thinking person did not think it was so great. Not everyone gets a home run for every hit. Thanks. peace, janz

Great review, I currently have this one on loan from library. I'm intrigued but will keep my expectations realistic.