China Mountain Zhang (1992) depicts a 22nd century, post-revolutionary America, which has become a Chinese Communist State after a Cleansing Winds Campaign.

The main protagonist, Zhang Zhong Shan (China Mountain Zhang), is a gay man living within a system that despises homosexuality — to the point of capital punishment for ‘guilty’ persons.

More than half the novel is concerned with Zhang, but his story is interspersed with chapters focusing on other characters that have a fleeting connection with Zhang. The stories not directly involving Zhang were interesting, but were not dovetailed seamlessly into the main narrative: I found the ‘other’ stories slightly intrusive.

Zhang struggles to find a peaceful place in society, as do the characters in the other chapters.

There are some intriguing ideas (e.g.: Organic Engineering (not bioengineering) and cyber-kite flying), and there are fascinating  settings that range from New York to Baffin Island, the Imperial City in China, and Mars.

China Mountain Zhang was an enjoyable read; it didn’t blow me away, but it was interesting enough to ensure that I’ll read more of Maureen F. McHugh’s works.

Recommended.