Point of View

The book is told from Matt's point of view, as he is the main character as well as the author of the book. The story is made up of real events that happened to him, but as he admits, he has edited these for dramatic effect and changed the order in which some of them happened. Because Matt is an American, the reader sees China through an American man's eyes. This allows for cultural differences to be explained, and also sets up many of the humorous anecdotes, which would not be so amusing if the reader was not sharing the joke with the main character in this way. Because Matt is similar in many ways to his intended readers, it is also easier for the reader to relate to him. The reader understands him and so can understand why he acts and reacts in certain ways...