First reader John Yi asked at the end of his post if we really liked Jin in American Born Chinese. I decided to respond because it wasn’t a question I’d considered all that closely while reading.

Simply put, for me the answer is yes. I understand your complaint that he seems to be moving backwards or nowhere at all during the book, but I think it’s important to remember that the end isn’t really the end. This is a story of a young man. At the end even if he got nowhere it doesn’t mean he has nowhere to go.

Besides that, he’s a funny kid. Even if his lack of self-confidence is frustrating at times, he is likable. He definitely has redeeming characteristics that are worth at least some amount of merit.

Chin-Kee, on the other hand, does provide a problem. No one in that story is remotely likable. You feel bad for Chin-Kee to some degree just because he is such a terrible stereotype, but he is also supremely unlikable. Danny is certainly no better, either. He lacks any notable personality, and spends most of his time being embarrassed and/or horrified by his cousin. The whole story line is mostly just uncomfortable to read, and I agree with you there.