A New Beginning

So, I've started the second book, The Odyssey of a Manchurian, which, from what I've heard, is about her father's, Baba's journey, after WWII. To be honest, I've dreaded starting the book because we (the first book and I) didn't get along so well before.

However, I've started the second book and so far in, I don't hate it. Her style is still the same:
1. Lots of onomatopoeia (I can never spell that right)
2. Lots of metaphors
3. Three different stories in one chapter
4. Inserts herself ("I") to some part of the story
5. Has a storytelling-like tone
6. Switching third-person, first-person thoughts

Other than that, I find myself relating to some of the stories that she told which is interesting. However, even though I am relating to it, it's kind of boring since it's like "been there, done that" kind of thing for me.

Her story, or rather, Baba's story is interesting now that I'm only reading for content, not scrutinizing for details. Despite just reading and not really paying attention to her rhetorical strategies, I find myself noticing more strategies (if that makes any sense to you).

At some point, I question if it's really nonfiction, if Yang fabricated some details up to make the story goes smoother. I know that the best nonfiction is if it reads like fiction. However, the book is based on her father's stories after all, and it's a story nonetheless. But at some part, I feel as though Baba himself wouldn't know the details but Yang put that detail in the book. For example, what the monk did after Baba's mom put a garlic-thing-necklace on a statue's neck (they ate it). If he wasn't there, how would he know they ate it? Also, Yang has quotes that are in between quotation marks but I know that those are not exact quotes since a person wouldn't remember exactly what someone said.

Anyways, sorry for being on haitus for so long, like I said, I dreaded starting the second book. But now, I actually enjoy it because I know most of the stuff that she's talking about. I'll update frequently from now on.