A sumptuous slow burn

Tom Lin, a Chinese-born novelist, has penned his second novel, Babylon, South Dakota, which diverges from a typical historical account of an immigrant family's struggle. Instead, it masterfully blends and bends genres. The story revolves around the Huis, a young Chinese couple who immigrate to a rural community in South Dakota, taking the names Saul and Mei.

The Huis, who know nothing of life in the United States, arrive with only a small fortune in gold, which Mei conceals around their new 160-acre homestead. They are helped by an interpreter, Abraham Song, and his fiancée, marking their first friendships in the U.S. Their daughter, Mara, develops an uncanny ability to communicate with animals as they grow up on the farm.

However, the family's peace is disrupted when representatives of the U.S. Army arrive, seeking to purchase land for an unspecified project. With the help of Abraham, the Huises consent to the sale, but the family grows increasingly uneasy as the army builds an exact replica of their home and begins to experience unusual environmental and health effects.

Despite the supernatural elements and magic realism woven throughout, Babylon, South Dakota maintains a slow-burning pace. The plot unfolds in a series of vignettes, each connected by subtle threads, giving the narrative a dreamlike quality. Lin's writing, while florid at times, effectively captures the prairie setting and the emotional journeys of the characters, particularly Mei's struggle with dementia as she ages.

The novel's abrupt conclusion may leave some readers feeling let down after investing so much in the characters' lives. However, Babylon, South Dakota is a rich, immersive tale that explores themes of immigration, family, and the clash between tradition and modernity.