Deceit
and Other Possibilities: StoriesVanessa Hua. Willow Books, $18.95 paperback (150p) ISBN: 978-0-9971996-2-8
Deceit
and Other Possibilities is Vanessa Hua’s debut
collection of ten, tightly themed short stories. Each story’s strength stems
from its well-developed characters. Characters that differ in terms of temperament
and position all have a purpose in common: the betterment of self and circumstance
through migration. Whether it is the Korean-American pastor, the Hong-Kong
movie star or the Mexican boy whose Father crept across the border, there is a
continual sense of unrest and striving from all sides as these families and
individuals alike face the challenges of trying—with limited success—to immerse
themselves into a new America.
I
didn’t know then that my kind charmed in Asia: someone who looked Chinese but
spoke and carried himself like a Westerner. The American exotic – beach lifeguards,
football, cowboys – made accessible through us. We were chop suey, orange
chicken, egg foo yung, Chinese yet not, American and yet not.
(“Line, Please”
page 9)
There are reoccurring themes here, such
as betrayal, manipulation, family pressure, redemption, and, of course,
migration. In fact, at first glance, these would appear to be little more than
migration stories, but immigration is a mere platform which Hua uses as a
foundation to examine sacrifice, struggle, and, ultimately, self-discovery.
Her
parents wanted Lin to return to China. The economy was booming there while her
future in Silicon Valley was uncertain. Even waiguoren, foreigners, were
flooding into China to make their fortunes.
(“For What They
Shared” page 52)
Regardless of a person’s background we
all know what it means to succeed and to fail. And that is the essence of these
soul-searching stories. With clarity and precision, Hua uses cultural and
generational differences to illustrate our over-riding human commonality.
Were
people also one way or another in terms of temperament? Some were rude, some
polite, some flamboyant, others bookish – it was in their nature. Biology was
fate.
(“The
Responsibility Of Deceit” page 72)
Vanessa Hua’s style is easy and smooth.
She reveals the true nature of her characters slowly, giving the reader time to
get to know and ultimately empathise with even the most ill-intended
individuals. Deceit
and Other Possibilities is a collection where agendas lurk and intentions
are hidden. It is at times humorous and always relevant in its insight into
cultural identity, and it is an identity
that almost breaks under the author’s well executed scrutiny. Traditions are
honoured and ignored and heritage is as much a blessing as it is a curse.
When
Chinese first arrived in America to tunnel through mountains for the railroads
and snatch gold from rivers, most were men. Though few fortune-seekers intended
to settle, laws also barred most Chinese women, to prevent families from taking
root.
(“The Older The
Ginger” page 103)
Here is a book where a very specific set
of people bare up under truly unique circumstances to show that the
individual’s problems are universal. Wherever we come from and wherever we are
going, we all have human frailty in common. (September 2016)
Reviewer bio: Matthew J. Hall's poetry
and fiction have been published in various zines, anthologies and online
literary ventures. His poetry chapbook, Pigeons
and Peace Doves, was one of three Blood Pudding Press 2015 chapbook contest
winners. He reviews small press books at www.screamingwithbrevity.com.
