OVER THE SHOULDER: A Novel of Intrigue [Hardcover]

Leonard Chang (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Unknown (2001)
• ASIN: B0028QAMNO
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Leonard Chang was born in New York City, and grew up on Long Island, where he attended the public schools in Merrick. After high school, Leonard studied at Dartmouth College, interned with the Peace Corps in Kingston, Jamaica, and continued his studies in Philosophy at Harvard University, where he graduated with honors. He attended the graduate creative writing program at the University of California at Irvine, and received his Master's of Fine Arts. His first novel, entitled The Fruit 'N Food, was published in 1996 and won the Black Heron Press Award for Social Fiction that year, and is now taught at universities around the world. His second novel, Dispatches from the Cold, won a San Francisco Bay Guardian Goldie Award for Literature. He is also the author of a popular and critically-acclaimed noir trilogy, which includes Over the Shoulder, Underkill, and Fade to Clear, a USA Today Summer Reading Pick and a finalist for the Shamus Award. His latest, Crossings, was published in 2009. His novels have been translated into French, Japanese and Korean, and are regularly studied in literature, sociology and theology courses throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. Recently the U.S. Consulate in Berlin sponsored his multi-city lecture/reading tour of Germany.

In addition to novels, he writes short stories, essays, and book reviews, and his work has appeared in numerous literary journals, including The Crescent Review, Prairie Schooner, Confluence, The Literary Review, Bamboo Ridge, and Lynx Eye. He was a Visiting Distinguished Writer at Mills College, and currently teaches at Antioch University's MFA Program.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blown Away, February 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Over the Shoulder: A Novel of Intrigue (Hardcover)

This absolutely terrific novel totally subverted my expectations of what an "Asian American" or crime novel ought to be. It's engrossing, fast-paced and intriguing in ways that you won't expect. The crime format provides Chang an opportunity to explore race, class and family without being bogged down by the weight of those issues. And Chang fleshes out Allen's character and touches upon racial issues without ever derailing the fast-paced storyline. And yet, at the same time, this is NOT simply a crime novel, either. It's a blend of both--something really innovative and different.

Don't be put-off because Chang has the courage to move away from stock issues played out by other KA writers. While some people think that Chang Rae Lee is be the best KA writer out there, let it be said: Leonard Chang is BETTER than Chang Rae Lee. In fact, he's a better fiction writer than most of the Asian American writers out there as well. Beacuse he's a WRITER'S writer, i.e. he cares about his craft and not about selling out to mainstream tastes of what an Asian American novel should be. Of course, because he doesn't write about KAs whose mothers happen to be comfort women, intergenerational conflict or "honor killings," Chang will be somewhat underrated and underappreciated by those who prefer sappy melodramas about Asian Americans. Which is a shame because he's one of the most talented and interesting writers to ever come out of Korean America. Read Over the Shoulder. It's truly an immensely enjoyable and exciting novel that will be sure to blow you away.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thriller with a deeper character, February 5, 2001

By 

Jane S. (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Over the Shoulder: A Novel of Intrigue (Hardcover)

I just finished this for my local bookstore's mystery book club. I can't really describe how strange and interesting the main character is. He's introverted and thoughtful, and he's exactly the opposite of what you'd expect in a crime thriller. Allen Choice is probably the loneliest and conflicted character I've read in a mystery (that is presented credibly). The story is exciting, and the ending will shock you, but it's not the story that will keep you thinking. It's the character.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I liked this cool departure., February 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Over the Shoulder: A Novel of Intrigue (Hardcover)

I've read Mr. Chang's other two novels (one for an Asian-American lit class, another on my own), and was really surprised to see him try this kind of novel. It's a thriller and love-story and it's so different from his other works. I really liked it. At first I was confused, not even sure it was the same author, but then I saw the same kinds of themes he handles, like dealing with past secrets and people being lonely and isolated. I also saw him turning up the plot elements, which was fun. I think most people will like this novel a lot, because it's exciting, and also looks deep into what it means to be alone in the world. I guess I kind of fell for Allen Choice.