Five-Star Stranger

The unnamed narrator of Tang’s poignant debut, known only as Stranger, works for an app called Rental Stranger, where he offers his services as a stand-in for people needing companions, friends, or helpers during life’s important or even mundane moments. Although most of his work consists of one-time commitments, such as being a wingman at a bar or a date to a big event, he has one job that has lasted for years—posing as the pretend father to now nine-year-old Lily each Thursday afternoon. While his work has always dictated a detachment from his clients, a growing attachment to this pretend daughter and her mother causes an existential crisis for the Stranger. Through this experience, he comes to recognize how personal connections pave the way for survival and even happiness. Narrator Julian Cihi offers an affecting portrait of Stranger, allowing listeners to glimpse his inner struggles and emotions. His measured reading beautifully captures the Stranger’s contemplative mindset and his growing understanding of himself and others.