The Chinaman contains 40 poems, most of which are published here for the very first time. Mamet presents a wide range of moods - from the bleak landscapes of "The Triumph of Gravity" and "Tremont Street" to the deceptive playfulness of "This and That" - and a wide range of characters - from the loving muse of "R." to the memorable outsiders of "Song of the Jew" and the title poem. What unites this collection is Mamet's mastery of form: all are written with the raw energy and explosive language that is his trademark.