This collection of essays and passages from an unfinished novel was brilliant but ultimately left me mourning for what So could have written had he not died of an accidental overdose aged 28. Any loss so young is a tragedy, and So had so much to offer as a writer. He was insightful, cutting, funny, writing from the perspective of a queer Cambodian-American man. I have no doubt that if ‘Straight Through Cambo Town’ had been finished and published, it would be making various prize lists and would surely be on many people’s (including mine) favourites of the year lists. 

The fiction passages from his unfinished novel were by far my favourite parts of this hybrid collection. It focused on three cousins who inherited their grandmother’s illegitimate loan shark business, dealing with sexuality, ambition, parental expectations, immigration, and so much more. It was hilarious, touching, insightful. The narrator was great too, and it just felt so *easy* in that, nothing felt shoehorned in or overwritten. Just utterly engaging. 

But the essays were also a good bunch! I enjoyed reading his thoughts on Crazy Rich Asians, Queer Eye, and then there was a devastating essay dedicated to a friend who died by suicide. Other reviews have mentioned this, but it’s heartbreaking to read this in light of So’s own (accidental) death so young. A few of the shorter essays were a tad forgettable, not on the same level as his fiction. 

Looking forward to reading Afterparties once I’m released from Scribd (Everand) jail!