I've known about this book for awhile after reading The Sex Lives of Cannibals on the recommendation of a friend. This copy of LOPC was left in the apartment of another teacher here (I'm in Shijiazhuang, south of Beijing) so I decided to read it. Having lived in China for almost 7 months now I can appreciate just about everything Troost describes. Most of it is spot on. He has some experiences I have not had (nor wish to have) but his reactions to and attempts at situations are similar to my own. You try so hard with the best intentions but Western ways usually have no impact or meaning here.

The sarcasm gets a little old but that is his style and many times I've laughed out loud and many more times I've just nodded in complete agreement. I agree with another reviewer that maps would be helpful for someone not familiar with the country.
I'm enjoying the book and it keeps me coming back in between my forays to class and errands around town where, as he so aptly describes, you take your life into your own hands with the traffic. I've been hit twice - once while dodging a moped and once from behind where I guess I was supposed to know what was bearing down on me. Not hurt either time, just annoyed and confused.

Even if traffic laws are no more than a mere suggestion, one might think common sense would play a role. Nope. Even the travel page for China on the State Dept site reminds travelers that the pedestrian does not have the right of way. No such thing. It's been difficult to remember. I wonder how many moped collisions it will take for me to learn this.

As I write, our hero is headed for Yunnan Province...

It's over. I notched it down from 4 to 3 stars. Would like to know how he got away from N. Korea at the end. At least he liked the Terracotta Warriors. I was waiting for him to belittle that place too. They are remarkable. If I see nothing else here I'm glad I saw the Warriors.

I have not been to all the places Troost describes (a few) but I can relate. What he portrays so negatively, I see as "just the way it is".

For what it's worth, yes, the pollution is bad. But I've not seen horrendous smog he experienced. We even get blue sky here in Shijiazhuang, sometimes for several days in a row. Then the pollution settles in again. The norm seems to be "hazy". I've been to Beijing several times and on those occasions it was not bad. Maybe I hit the odd, good days.

This is one person's experience in China. I'd recommend some "balancing" books such as China Road (Rob Gifford) and/or Country Driving (Peter Hessler).