The Story

The story follows a man living a quiet, predictable life. Everything changes when he stumbles upon an old photograph from a trip he doesn't remember taking. From there, small inconsistencies start piling up—a street that's suddenly renamed, a friend who references a shared history he can't recall. He begins a quiet, obsessive investigation into his own life, peeling back layers of his identity only to find more questions. The plot moves with the tension of a tightening coil, focusing less on explosive action and more on the chilling dread of discovering the world isn't what you thought.

Why You Should Read It

Wang Junqing has a real talent for building atmosphere. You feel the protagonist's growing paranoia. The writing is clean and sharp, making you question everything right alongside him. What I loved most was how it explores memory and truth. How much of who we are is based on stories we tell ourselves? The book doesn't offer easy answers, which makes it stick with you long after the last page.

Final Verdict

If you like psychological thrillers that are more about the 'why' than the 'who-dunnit,' this is for you. It's perfect for readers who enjoy stories about identity, like Kazuo Ishiguro's work, but set in a contemporary Chinese context. Be prepared for a read that's thoughtful, unsettling, and incredibly hard to put down.