Braised Pork is the tale of Jia Jia, a Beijing resident who while getting ready for a trip goes into the bathroom and finds her husband dead, face down in the bath. All he has left is a creepy sketch of a fish body with a man's head.

What follows is a slow and creeping narrative of Jia Jia exploring her husband's death, her new situation and a burgeoning friendship with bartender Leo. Just what is the world of water and how is it linked to her family?

This isn't a thriller. It's a slow exploration of modernity, art and grief. There is an allegorical (or possibly actually supernatural, depending on interpretation) look at depression. An interesting take on modern Chinese life,  juxtaposed with a more rural Tibetan lifestyle.

Jia Jia is a multilayered character, who is understandable yet infuriating.

It's not explosive, but has a lot to say, and is well worth picking up as a short contemplative read.

As a side note the title is misleading - Braised Pork isn't even mentioned till 50 pages before the end. A culinary explanation of Chinese food it is not!