Land of Big Numbers: Stories, the debut by author and journalist Te-Ping Chen, is a luminous collection of 10 short stories focused on the people of contemporary China and its diaspora. The collection crosses continents with expert ease; each story is a vignette about ordinary individuals navigating their way in a world of governmental and societal obstacles. Chen's writing is captivating, whether describing the effects of a fruit that imbues euphoric feelings, a young woman being stalked by her ex or the plight of a group of commuters trapped in the subway for months. She skillfully blends social commentary, politics and the human condition with a sprinkling of magical realism.
Chen's years as a Beijing correspondent for the Wall Street Journal give her first-hand insight into the dichotomy of daily life in modern-day China. While she does not shy away from the oppression or the disillusionment that the characters face, she is able to illuminate the beauty of ordinary life in Chinese society. Chen's love for her subjects and compassionate observation is seen throughout the collection and especially when describing common household scenes: "She liked the way his mother made their kitchen fragrant, dicing red and green bell peppers into pixels.... She liked the way his father knew the seasons, how squash grew and how to pick the kinds of melons that were sweetest."
The stories, although distinct, are woven together by threads of wistful longing. Chen's understated and nuanced language and pacing attest to her prowess as a great storyteller. --Grace Rajendran, freelance reviewer and literary events producer