A dazzling example of bold, fearless writing that stretches and entertains.
Hong Kong is nothing if not dynamic. And nobody capitalizes on the fray quite like Chaz and Lu, two impulsive young men whose fondness for reckless bets—cockroach races, no less—lands them in dangerous debt. To escape their predicament, they are drawn into an improbable scheme: stealing the fabled Yijin Jing manuscript from a Shaolin monastery. What begins as an errand of desperation quickly becomes a task that pits material hunger against spiritual tradition. Running alongside their tale is that of Glen, a boy whose brain implant promises enhancement but instead raises disturbing questions about identity and control. As the secrets of his family’s past emerge, Glen grapples with the boundaries between technology and humanity, choice and manipulation. Threading through both stories—and offering the book’s most unusual perspective—is the wry, watchful voice of a sentient escalator in the Mid-Levels. Equal parts philosopher and cynic, the machine observes the endless flow of commuters, laying bare the contradictions, absurdities, and quiet truths of modern city life. By merging comic absurdity with meditations on technology, ambition, and belonging, Ray Chan delivers a narrative that is as irreverent as it is moving.
Ray Chan has a talent for bringing characters to life amidst the most fascinating settings, and Escalate is an impressive novel that reinvents what storytelling can be in new and exciting ways. There are plenty of plot twists and all the quirks you might expect, but the real hero of the story is in the telling of it, as Chan balances humor, action, and philosophy with remarkable finesse. Marked by a highly original narrative voice that moves readers confidently through the plot, the tale is vividly rooted in Hong Kong, yet universal in its themes of identity and ambition, allowing audiences of all backgrounds to understand and absorb the frenetic energy. With natural shifts that never feel too forced or jerky, Chan achieves a tone that is at once absurdly funny and deeply moving. The unusual story features an intertwining narrative structure that makes for a mosaic both surreal and heartfelt. It is no simple task to blend satire with sincerity, but this talent is particularly evident in Glen’s storyline. Standing as a haunting, emotional counterpoint to the novel’s playful tone, his journey sits perfectly amongst the other stories, but cuts through them with a sharpness that will have readers re-examining every moment. A recommended read for those seeking a cerebral challenge, Escalate is a dazzling example of bold, fearless writing that stretches and entertains in equal measure.
