Review: Interesting Culture Shock
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 11, 2013
I just finished Opposite Extremes by Jeremy Morgan.  This was a difficult book for me to read because it changed back and forth between the two female characters.  I like to read about one and then the other.  The book itself was very easy to read and quite entertaining although I found myself wanting to smack Lan at times.Lan is finally getting his chance to travel to Hong Kong.  In fact, he is moving there to work and to be near his girlfriend, Sam.  Sam is from a very traditional Asian family and was allowed to go to school at Princeton with the understanding that she work for four years for her father to repay her tuition.  Lan has accompanied her to Hong Kong thinking he knew what he was doing.  He was in for major culture shock.Meanwhile, the book goes back to Jess and tells Lan's background and his life with Jess before he left Texas for Princeton.  Lan and Jess had an on and off relationship for a time and he enjoyed and loved her bohemian life.  When she moves in with him prior to his going to Princeton, things don't work out as well as he would like.Lan now had to deal with Sam's family, a new job, culture shock, and memories of how easy life was with Jess.  Was it easier because he was comfortable in that environment or because he loves her and not really Sam?  Lan had a dilemma to figure out and fast.In spite of the format of the book, I did enjoy it.  I would recommend it to all readers of contemporary fiction.  It took me longer to read this book because of July 4 and family obligations.  Normally it would take one day.