The Dog: Stories    by Jack Livings Order:  USA  Can Picador, 2015 (2015) Hardcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Bob Walch Those seeking an eclectic view of Chinese culture will want to read The Dog by Jack Livings. This collection of eight short stories won the Pen/Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction and has been nominated for the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Prize. The stories offer a kaleidoscopic view of China from the end of the Cultural Revolution to the tragic Sichuan earthquake that rocked the country. Wealthy factory owners, a Uyghur gangster, a seasoned journalist who is forced out of his job, and a dysfunctional married couple whose family reunion turns into a nightmare are just some of the characters you'll discover in these low keyed but entertaining stories of Chinese life. This compelling and poignant fiction offers vignettes of individuals who transcend the headlines, economic numbers and political rhetoric that paint a rather inaccurate picture of one of the world's most populous country. These stories offer a much better view of China and its people. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Contemporary books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews