Days of Distraction

Days of Distraction by Alexandra Chang follows protagonist Jing Jing, a young Chinese American tech writer in San Francisco’s Silicon Valley, who moved to Ithaca, New York, with her white boyfriend, J, to pursue a PhD. Jing finds herself increasingly questioning her place in the world as she must abandon her career after the interstate move. In Ithaca, Jing struggles keeping up with her sense of self in a dominant white city, and questioning her belonging. There was tension created between her and J, particularly relating to the interracial dynamic, and her experience of being undervalued during her days as a tech writer, because her voice in getting a raise goes unheard despite working harder than her coworkers. In search of belonging, Jing scouted her family history to seek understanding of her place in the world.

Days of Distraction is a significant novel that explores themes such as identity, the impact of racism, and the pursuit of a sense of belonging. I am a Chinese American, and I identify with the narrator in terms of relationship challenges. I grew up in a city of New York that was very Hispanic and Latino-dominated, and that made me prone to racial discrimination. The protagonist was honest about her struggles with doubts and uncertainties, which made it difficult for her to be truly seen or understood, just as I have during my childhood. Jing delves into the complexities of her identity within a society that doesn’t acknowledge her experiences. This resonates with me, who has navigated an experience where my voice is neglected by racism, now finding my authentic self.