learly a talented writer, but he does not use his talent to his best advantage in this mishmash of a novel.
Wong's intention seems to be similar to other Asian- American writers whose protagonists struggle to come to terms with their personal, cultural and sexual identities in a society which they are simultaneously drawn to and alienated from. That intention, it seems, is to find a way to live comfortably with some blend of the two cultures. Accordingly, Raymond tries to find success and happiness in American culture while maintaining his connections to Chinese culture.
In fact, the opening and closing lines of the novel appear to mark the beginning and end of Raymond's cultural journey, at least insofar as it is mapped in the novel. The first words of the book are his attorney's warning that "You won't even be Chinese after your wife's attorney gets through with you, Raymond" (11). Whether or not the divorce will indeed strip him of his ethnic roots, Raymond is nevertheless in danger of losing his sense of who and what he is as he embarks on a difficult journey through the turbulent racial and gender seas of America. However, by the end of the book, Raymond has grown slightly older and somewhat wiser, wise enough to accept that there is a middle-ground for the individual in such a cross-cultural struggle. He thinks back on his experiences with love, family, and cu
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