How I Became a Black Man and Other Metamorphoses

This is a great book, a gem from an asian-american author that will bring back memories and will give the reader glimpses into events that shape a human being. It' a cross-section of very colorful coming-of-age stories and will grip you from Page One. The short stories are bold, with bits of humor so funny that'll force you to laugh out loud, causing concern and confusion among the people around you. I have to warn you, though, some of the stories go into deeper topics about the darker side of life, so well-told that the characters become friends. The author also includes, I believe, a very personal stream-of-consciousness reflection of life, towards the end of the book. Although a bit odd since the style is completely different, it is interesting none the less once you've absorbed it. At first you'll wonder what he's talking about, and then as you're sitting around at 6am in the morning, wondering why you're up so early/late, groggily looking about you to see the trees and plants and people moving about - all of the sudden, you'll understand it. He closes the book with an example of the truth - our friends and family are always a part of us, even when they are no longer here, and life goes on. This is one book that is so intimate and personal, that you truly do laugh and cry with.