Tom Scocca

A play-by-play account of the author's time in Beijing leading up to the 2008 Olympics. The book is surprisingly domestic for a travel tale, with much attention to events on TV and interaction with the housekeeper. Perhaps its the language barrier which prevents the author from enlarging his view beyond the close confines of the expat community, English classes, and Olympics press events. He notes carefully the pop stars at the Olympics promotions, and the inconveniences of the bureaucracy attempting to modernize itself, even the poor English on the new tourist signs, though there is hardly anything surprising or unusual about these things. I was hoping for more insight into the history of Beijing and its future from a someone in the midst of its current changes, but the book hardly ever delves beyond the everyday experiences of the author.… (more)