Hi all,

Welcome to the Book Club forum.

Now, discuss!

1. In “The Magician of 1919,” how well does Bigshot Cowrie fit into the historical events that surround him? Do you find the melding of fact and fiction convincing?

2. How might our own knowledge (or ignorance) of these events affect our reading of Li’s story?

3. What do you think happened to Bigshot's queue?

4. How well do you understand or sympathize with the characters (Bigshot, his budgerigar, Gu Hongming) through Li’s narration style? What do you think his intent is in this regard, and does he achieve it?

5. The way Bigshot fits into the events of the May Fourth Movement is hapless, irreverent and a bit absurd. What kind of statement do you think this makes?

6. In “Christmas Eve,” Li Er doesn’t set a year for which the story takes place. When would you place it?

7. Which story did you enjoy more? (Let’s start a feud! Unless we all liked the same story better … then we’ll just be a boring book club without a feud.)