Discussion Questions

1. In “The Strange Objects Museum,” how does Sheri change as the story develops? What leads to these changes?

2. In “Yuan Zu Socializing,” why does the protagonist call her actions a form of revenge?

3. Discuss Brian’s rejection of Sonnie in “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.”

4. What might wearing a bra symbolize to Lily in “And Then There Were None”?

5. Is the narrator in “Betel Nut Beauty” reliable? Why do you think she withholds information from the reader for most of the story?

6. How do Chinese beliefs around a “red suicide” inform your interpretation of how “Writing on the Basement Wall” ends?

7. In “Simple as That,” how do gender and culture inform Jolie and Mike’s relationship?

8. Consider the conflicting roles of the narrator in “Immersion”: graduate student versus “PR girl.” How are they compatible or incompatible?

9. In “Passport Baby,” why do you think Lin Lin stole the baby? Was this foreshadowed in the story?

10. If you were Serena in “Mine,” would you accept Jenna Lee’s offer? Why or why not?