I like this book, but I wouldn't really consider it a thriller.  I think it rather fits in Historical Literary Fiction more and publicising this as a literary thriller could do it a disservice. Like I get there's a murder mystery part but this is more about childhood friends reconnecting as adults in my opinion.

I initially found it hard to get into but after the first few chapters things started to fall into place and I knew what to expect which is multiple POVs between Li Jiaqi and Chen Gong and a dialogue that spans generations which were welcome.

Obviously, with translated fiction, the core essence of any book is lost, I won't feel the same emotions reading this in English as I would if I knew Chinese and could read Cocoon how it was meant to be read, Jeremy Tiang does a wonderful job translating.

I also love that at the end you were told how the cover design related back to the title.

Thanks to Zhang Yueran, Net Galley, and World Editions for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book #235 of 2022.