Bliss Montage is a collection of eight short stories examining our humanity when fantasy threatens to overtake reality. With brilliant writing and unique prose, Ling Ma explores love, friendship, connection, culture, motherhood, and much more through various Asian woman protagonists.

Bliss Montage reminds me of Murakami Haruki's work; it resonates differently every time you read it. People with various perspectives will likely take away diverse lessons as well. The stories I understand are so touching, not in a cry-my-eyes-out way, but in a wow-that's-deep-only-Ma-has-the-brilliance-to-write-like-this way. My favorites are Los Angeles, G, and Returning. In particular, G describes a seemingly harmless friendship between two Asian immigrants and their young adulthood built around a drug that makes you invisible. Not to give anything away, but the story is just so unexpected I reread this one. On the other hand, I'm a bit embarrassed to say I didn't fully grasp Yeti Lovemaking and Office Hours