By Bec Renton
This refreshing collection, published in 2009 by Giramondo Publishing, is a compilation of punchy, quick-witted short stories. Cho’s work tells the brilliantly funny and unique story of his family’s migration experience, as well as wonderfully entertaining stories exploring sexuality, gender and identity, adding the most exquisite ensemble of meaningful layers to an already wonderful amalgamation.
Each story incorporates a carefully balanced combination of fantasy, reality, sentimentality, relatable family dynamics, humour (they’re actually funny!), and transformation (in a very literal sense), with Cho using metaphor and ‘morphing’ into various pop culture and literary characters to exemplify his position or feelings throughout each fabula, (including but not limited to a 50 foot air-guitar wielding Godzilla rockstar).
Cho’s collection is genuinely hard to put down and keeps the reader in a perpetual state of anticipation, eagerly awaiting where each plot will go.
Hence, if you want to be catapulted on a ‘ride’ and made to feel part of some truly unique and fantastical storylines, this book may be well and truly up your alley.
The book was shortlisted for multiple awards and is an absolute gem. It’s definitely a book from the past well worth a revisit.
