Recent Dartmouth dropout Mei drives a limo to make ends meet. Her grandfather convinces her to allow her customers to pay under the table, and before she knows it, she is working as a routine chauffeur for sex workers. Mei does her best to mind her own business, but her knack for discretion soon leads her on a life-changing trip from San Francisco to Syracuse with a new client. Handsome and reserved, Henry piques Mei's interest. Toting an enormous black suitcase with him everywhere he goes, he's more concerned with taking frequent breaks than making good time on the road. When Mei discovers Henry's secret, she decides she has no choice but to confront him.
Within this propulsive plot Frazier seamlessly embeds a much larger, more sobering history ... While the dialogue feels natural, the choppy narration style sometimes ends up sounding like a screenplay monologue, especially around Mei’s budding romance with Henry. But Frazier captures the relatable toggle between the private and the collective, between sinking into the anxieties of your life and grieving for the cruelties of the world.
Smart and hugely entertaining ... Frazier’s economical debut is many things at once: a tale of high stakes on the open road, a bighearted portrait of a frayed family, a slightly off-color comedy and an indictment of repressive political regimes.
Beneath a budding romance and roadside banter, the story of the humanitarian crisis of the Uyghurs in China is masterfully presented ... Frazier’s debut proves to be an enthralling ride, perfect for those who love an American road trip with a twist.
