I loved this for its snapshot into toxic job culture and how that manifests in China. This isn't an easy read, but I found it so interesting. This was everything I wanted No Such Thing As An Easy Job to have been!

I'm not convinced that the decision to tell Anyan's story out of order was the right one. I got a bit turned around timeline-wise a few times. But, what bothered me the most was realizing that while Anyan had incredible self-awareness and perspective at times, he kept making the strangest people-pleasing/internalized capitalist decisions in the courier jobs (that came after the later chapters). He kept saying he changed and that he wasn't such a pushover anymore, but I didn't see much evidence of that in his actions. I liked Anyan as a character. He was so easy to root for and I got so frustrated by how he didn't stand up for himself!

The pacing was pretty solid up until the final section which had a lot of pontifications about life, fulfillment, and jobs. I could've appreciated this if it had been bolder; but, despite everything he endured with these awful jobs, Anyan didn't take a stronger stance in his reflections and the book ended on a paltry note. It also kinda just tapered out where this reader would've loved to know what Anyan was up to now!

I appreciated the translation (and translator's note). This book had such a strong sense of place and I think the translator made the right decision in not watering down the elements that may not have had a direct translation.

Huge points for: likeable main character, a glimpse into Chinese job culture, excellent translation