Words written in the heat of frustration may end up being just a momentary emotional dalliance or may in fact spotlight unanswered emotions roiling in the author’s belly awaiting a fair hearing and resolution. Yang Limin’s Fog Alert bears shades of both. At the surface, the narrative does indeed read like the work of an author venting some much needed emotional steam. However, the story, rather than expressing acrimony, reflects an open and accepting attitude toward life’s absurdities and pitfalls. Yang’s descriptions of the dark corners of everyday existence neither shirk from the ugliness nor turn to self-reprobation; instead, she takes the high road – Darkness exists. Seeing it for what it is makes it much less distressing.