4/5 stars. Thank you NetGalley and Tin House Books for an ARC of this novel-- what a pleasure to have been able to read this months ahead of its official publication, seriously.

In few other books I've read have I felt so... seen--- and not in a physical sense but psychological and even emotional way. As the title frames it, this book is about wanting, both from other people but even just from ourselves- independent of other people, and what we give, take, and forgo in pursuit of.... something. But what is that 'something'? Is it something about how other people perceive us, is it about self-perception, is it about possessing something or not needing to possess something? Is it one thing or many things? Lastly, is it about actually obtaining something or is it simply the pursuit of a goal? Whatever the answer, I was enraptured by Claire Jia's writing in her characters and their lives, the thoughts she cleverly poses to a reader.

Along with the great philosophical puzzle 'Wanting' put before me, the composition of the story and its pieces were magnificent to experience. There was a clarity to 'Wanting's narrative though it didn't show its cards all at once nor all-too-soon; and there were so many smart parallels and well-done continuities between various characters and in the narration.
All to say, I loved this book-- even as an ARC!-- and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I read it again in its finished form come July. For that reason, I chose not to overrate the ARC version because I believe the 5 stars and therefore the best (the finished publication) is yet to come!

I loved this book that follows several different characters and their desire to achieve success in both America and Beijing. The multiple storylines that traveled back in forth in time created a layered narrative that slowly but deliberately explains the introductory scene where one of the main characters is being questioned by a police officer. This narrative tension pushes the story forward and makes the story feel fast paced, even when the story delves deep into characters’ back stories. I also really liked the author’s choice and note about using italics for when characters are speaking in English as a play on the choice the publishers of many books published in English make to italicize words spoke in other languages. I can’t believe this is a book by a debut author!