I didn't know what to expect when picking this up. I added it to my "to read"list after hearing an interview with the translator, who was talking about his own writing. Overall, I liked it. It has a lot in common with classic science fiction in style, written in a very straightforward matter and with an eye not so much on the robots and gadgets as the effect of these things. It deals with the psychological and social issues involved with technology and our attempts to find others like us in the universe. The characters are fleshed out enough to make them relatable, but this isn't the kind of writing where the character spends paragraphs contemplating fire or mooning over a love interest. It is set on the backdrop of the Cultural Revolution in China which makes the story feel authentic, and would attract anyone interested in history. I will most likely pick up the sequel once translated, just to see how far the story goes, if anything.