Official Review: The Ping-Pong Champion of Chinatown

Fazzier · Post by **Fazzier** » 14 Apr 2021, 14:05

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Ping-Pong Champion of Chinatown" by James Hanna.]

4 out of 4 stars

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The Ping-Pong Champion of Chinatown by James Hanna, which I can loosely describe as a novel, is a gripping collection of eight interrelated short stories about twenty-three-year-old Gertie McDowell. Born and raised in Turkey Roost, Kentucky, the young woman is fed up with life in her birth town. She, therefore, plans to venture outside to get herself a life. She has a dream of making it big. She wants to become a superstar. In the first story, “Little Miss Twinkle Toes,” Gertie goes to Los Angeles with the hopes of making it in the movie industry, having acted during her high school years. Not long in LA, a man called the Nose identifies her “talent.” It was only after the man started filming her feet when she realized she was being entangled in a foot fetish business. Somehow disappointed in the end, she goes back to Turkey Roost. But this was not the end. Many adventures and misadventures were to follow.

Having read some books by James Hanna, I jumped at the opportunity to read this when I saw it. In this, too, I was not disappointed. This book was given the first-person narrative approach and told from Gertie's perspective. It reads like a journal, and I found this approach very engaging. Gertie is very relatable; she is organic, has a distinct personality, and her accounts are captivating. I found her brutal honesty admirable, and because of this, it didn't take me long to become fond of her. Sometimes she's too trusting, though, and you'd love to hate her. She makes a plethora of misinformed decisions, some of which would keep you at the edge of your seat awaiting her predicaments. But this was not only the side of her. I liked how James Hanna allowed her to grow. You see her transformation, and having experienced so much in her life, there are some instances where she even becomes “philosophical.” After all, who is a better philosopher than someone who has experienced it first-hand in life?

This analysis would be incomplete if I fail to mention the humor and the smooth transition between one story and the next. This book is hilarious, and more often than not, I couldn't help chuckling. If it was not the author's witty choice of words that made it all funny, then it was satire, sarcasm, and vivid depiction of uncommon, unfortunate situations. That, together with the feeling of continuity between the stories, were my favorite aspects of this book. They further enhanced my overall reading experience.

All in all, I didn't find anything to dislike about this book. It was exceptionally well-edited since, in the entire book, there were neither grammatical nor typographical errors. I am, therefore, glad to award The Ping-Pong Champion of Chinatown by James Hanna 4 out of 4 stars. This is a gripping, well-executed humorous book.

I recommend this to fans of well-written books with natural, exceptionally developed characters. In general, this book will also appeal to readers who like humorous stories. There were instances where Gertie was pondering some parts of the Bible during some of her “philosophical” moods. They were captured in a non-proselytizing way, and therefore, I believe anyone, regardless of their religion, can read this book. Additionally, there was also no explicit sexual content (just instances of kisses), making it suitable for a wide range of audiences.

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The Ping-Pong Champion of Chinatown
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Kavita Shah · Post by **Kavita Shah** » 18 Apr 2021, 12:11

You've written a wonderful review. This book sounds amazing. I want to know how Gertie's character grew with each chapter. I am adding this to my want to read shelf.

PeterRabitt20 · Post by **PeterRabitt20** » 21 Apr 2021, 09:53

Gertie sounds like someone I'd like to meet. I love a humorous plot, and her fallibility makes her approachable. Thanks for the encouraging review!

Post by **Becca Olsson** » 21 Apr 2021, 21:22

Great review! You’ve made this book seem truly interesting and I’d really like to check it out and others by the author

Satwik Mohanty · Post by **Satwik Mohanty** » 15 Oct 2021, 07:38

The title is interesting and so is your review. Now, I want to know what happens through the eight chapters. Thanks for the detailed review!

Hyacinth Bella · Post by **Hyacinth Bella** » 15 Oct 2021, 07:42

I feel like this would be a comfort book for some, especially those who thought that their dreams would come true but unfortunately did not. I feel like this book would be a brutally honest book that would hit us deep in the right places and make us connect to it. I want to know why it is titled like that though, thank you for the review.

Aan Granados · Post by **Aan Granados** » 15 Oct 2021, 07:43

Gertie sounds like a colorful character. Her story is interesting. I liked your review. Thanks

Brenda Creech · Post by **Brenda Creech** » 15 Oct 2021, 07:47

My first glance at this book told me I would not be interested. That is until I read your excellent review! Based on the cover and title I could not fathom what the book could possibly be about. I mean, a 'ping-pong queen in China?' Really? Then I discovered that no, not really! I love a book about someone's experiences in life that adds humor to them! I have to check this one out!

Michelle Menezes · Post by **Michelle Menezes** » 15 Oct 2021, 07:48

From the title, I thought it would be a sport-related novel, but I was surprised when I found out the content. Gertie would probably annoy me in the beginning with her horrible decisions, but as you mentioned that she evolves as a person, I think I'd end up liking her eventually. I enjoy stories filled with humor and sarcasm, so I I'll be giving this book a try. Thank you for your review!

Yasser Gewayfel · Post by **Yasser Gewayfel** » 15 Oct 2021, 07:51

all looking for hope but no one know where we can find it . good review .

Post by **Bertha Jackson** » 15 Oct 2021, 08:01

This is definitely one that is going on my WTR shelf. Gertie sounds a little too trusting to me and I love her sense of humor. Thank you for a great review.

Humera955 · Post by **Humera955** » 15 Oct 2021, 08:04

Great review

Sounds like an interesting read

Luchris_michael · Post by **Luchris_michael** » 15 Oct 2021, 08:09

From the review, the book is an interesting one. The cover is quite catchy. Gertie's determination to keep striving despite every misadventures is amazing. Good review.

Abacus · Post by **Abacus** » 15 Oct 2021, 08:11

"The Ping-Pong Champion of Chinatown" by James Hanna - The protagonist, Gertie McDowell uses the English language in wild and wonderful ways such that you miss her when you come to the end of the book. She is a straight talking, tell it how it is person with a fairly reckless way of living and a heart of gold. The book comprises 8 interrelated stories about Gertie and will have you chuckling all the way through. Thanks for the review.