smh.com.au
Review: Chinese Postman
A review of Brian Castro's novel, Chinese Postman, focusing on its themes of memory, identity, and aging.
English
Australia
EntertainmentLiteratureIdentityAgingMemoryFiction
Brian CastroAbraham "Abe" QuinAnnie ErnauxElizabeth HardwickVirginia WoolfW.e.b. Du Bois
- What are some of the key themes explored in the novel?
- Abe's experiences as an Asian Australian are central to the novel, highlighting the complexities of belonging and the absurdity of national borders. His struggles with identity and memory are intertwined with his reflections on home and place.
- Who is the narrator of Brian Castro's novel, Chinese Postman?
- Chinese Postman, by Brian Castro, is a novel narrated by Abraham "Abe" Quin, a retired professor and former postman. The novel explores themes of memory, aging, and identity through Abe's fragmented recollections.
- Describe the narrative style of Chinese Postman and its significance.
- The narrative style of Chinese Postman is characterized by its oscillation between "I" and "he," reflecting a sense of double-consciousness and the subjective nature of memory. This mirrors the author's own exploration of identity and place.
- How might the genre of Chinese Postman be classified, and what justifies this classification?
- While classified as fiction, the novel's strong autobiographical elements suggest it could also be considered autofiction, reflecting the author's own life experiences and reflecting on his experience of aging and his identity.
- How does the novel relate to the works of other authors, and what stylistic choices support this?
- The novel draws comparisons to the works of authors like Annie Ernaux, Elizabeth Hardwick, and Virginia Woolf, particularly in its focus on memory, introspection, and the subjective experience of time. The fragmented structure mirrors Abe's fragmented memories.