This book is such a contrast with Memoirs of Hadrian. the latter was profuse with profound thoughts without even trying. The former is filled with trivial thoughts and actions that don't seem to go anywhere. The only difference i could decipher is that Yourcenar is passionate while Li Yiyun is cold.

Li or her characters don't care much for anything, they are detached from the world or its inhabitants. Which makes her a great observer. That's what makes her short stories tolerable. it is filled with first rate observation and she could write. In short stories, she also doesn't have to dispense judgement as she felt obliged to do in longer pieces.

If the writer herself doesn't care much for the characters, then she couldn't blame her readers feel the same way.

What irked me the most is her attempt at saying something profound based on banality. Since there is really no substance behind banality, a more skilled hand usually makes fun of it. Maughm is a master at this. But humor is not Li's strong suit, she tried to be clever and play word games instead. The result is convoluted and nonsensical. But maybe some would love its opaqueness or the cleverness it professed. I'm just annoyed and really want to urge her to read Orwell's "Politics and English Language“ instead.