By Sinclair Adams
Two years ago, I had the privilege of reading and reviewing Flux, the debut novel by Jinwoo Chong, and was astounded by the imaginative sci-fi tale that presented innovative new ways to tell time-bending narratives. When I read his most recent book, I Leave it Up to You, I was astonished by not only Chong’s keen sense of building unique yet realistic characters, but his ability to thrive in any genre.
I Leave it Up to You is the story of Jack Jr. (not Jack, not Junior, Jack Jr.), a Korean American man who suddenly wakes up from a two-year coma. Not only does he have to adjust to a society just past the peak of Covid, he also has to face the family that he has avoided for the past decade. The writing does not hold back any punches when it comes to the medical truth of what it’s like to wake from a coma. It’s not a glamorous scene as Jack Jr. immediately deals with catheters and nurses accompanying him on trips to the bathroom. Even though Chong writes entirely in Jack Jr.’s perspective, Chong knows how to strike a balance between the sudden “what the heck-ness” of the situation, while still communicating what is immediately happening, and how it is deeply affecting the protagonist.
Those with a stomach strong enough to get past the first few post-coma TMI-moments will be quickly rewarded for what follows—the mouthwatering main course of the story: the Korean-inspired sushi bar owned by Jack Jr.’s father, and his relationships to his family as they struggle to make ends meet.
The life that Jack Jr. remembers is no more. His then-boyfriend has left him, and he cannot return to his old job. The only thing Jack Jr. has left waiting for him is the estranged family that he let go of a decade before. Though it’s not what he expected, he falls right back into place working for his family’s falling-apart restaurant, and assuming the role he once tried to avoid: his father’s successor as an itamae.
The bulk of the story consists of Jack Jr. readjusting, reconnecting with his oddball family, and awkwardly romancing one of his coma ward nurses. Jack Jr. is roped into early-morning fish runs to buy the day’s ingredients, spending his first date accompanied by his family half-naked in a spa, and helping with his nephew’s nonsense science experiment for extra credit. Despite the eccentric and almost comedic setup for the story, the plot is written earnestly. There are many funny lines, but the narrative is written so carefully that it knows when to treat jokes as jokes and when to treat serious moments with serious weight.
There are many funny lines, but the narrative is written so carefully that it knows when to treat jokes as jokes and when to treat serious moments with serious weight.
Jack Jr.’s family members are wildly entertaining to read about, because they are diverse in their personalities, with each of them having a backstory that realistically reflects who they are today. My favorite in the cast was Jack Jr.’s nephew, Juno, who is one of the best depictions of a teenager I have seen in recent media. Juno is quiet, social-media savvy, but is always quick to jump on a joke to embarrass his uncle. Jack Jr.’s dynamic with each family member is equally distinct and important, but his relationship with Juno and the commonalities they find between them is what I consider to be the true “heart” of this book.
The book is so compelling at capturing these slice-of-life moments that the larger plot almost slips away. There’s a reason why Jack Jr. left his family “on the other side of the river,” as the book often repeats, but it is not entirely clear why he made that decision until the very end. The conflict between Jack Jr. and his family could have been stronger, and the narrative suddenly skips ahead in time at multiple points. However, another way to look at it is that this is not a book that needs conflict on every page to drive the story. Sometimes the most powerful scenes are those in which characters are looking at the sky, sharing an insightful conversation, going through their meal prep routines, or just eating a tasty meal.
Speaking of meals—this is a difficult book to read on an empty stomach. I mean that in the best way possible. Delicious food and a variety of flavors are featured in almost every chapter, and in their own way, become forms of communication. These meals are described in crisp enough detail to get your mouth watering, but not enough to drag down the pacing of the story.
After reading Flux, which was to me a groundbreaking and inspiring book, I Leave it Up to You was a refreshing palate cleanser that brings us back to the world we know. The story imparts powerful reminders about persevering in times of uncertainty, and of the importance of starting over again and again as long as you have to until you find yourself. Or at least, until you find where you need to be right now.
I Leave it Up to You is a wonderful book to have in your life, especially if times are difficult. It left me with more than a few laughs, a strong message about family and finding yourself (even in spite of your family), and great brainstorming material for my next meal out.
Sinclair Adams (she/they) is a writer interested in speculative and science fiction narratives. She earned a B.A. in English from the University of Las Vegas and an M.F.A. in creative writing from Chapman University. She was an editor for Ouroboros Magazine, Chapman’s journal of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and other speculative fiction. Follow her on Instagram @sinclairwrites.