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Reviews tagging 'Racism'
Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam by Thien Pham
14 reviews
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and First Second for an advanced copy of Family Style by Thien Pham to review! There have been a slew of graphic novel memoirs being published recently, and so far, they have all been phenomenal. I especially enjoyed that this one was so centered around food, with each stage of Pham's life tied to an important food or dish from that moment. It's a unique way to structure a memoir!
Pham captures his family's journey from Vietnam to America through his food journey, focusing on details that I think a lot of people won't necessarily know. The illustration style felt sort of printmaking-esque to me, with so much detail. It also helps in emphasizing the food throughout, showing how they impacted Pham and his family.
The little comics included at the end, where Pham asks his family about making this book, are such a great addition to the story. I love when authors include personal little details like that, so definitely don't skip it! It gives even more characterization to his family as well.
All in all, this is a strongly written, wonderfully illustrated graphic novel memoir that you should definitely pick up when it comes out in June!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Xenophobia
bibliofrog's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Thank you to First Second Books and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Wow, what a beautiful book. This was a lovely, intimate story of a Vietnamese family and their journey immigrating to America, told through memories of food. As a person whose love language is food (lol) this really spoke to me. Family Style is told in vignettes across the author's life, centring around his family and friends. I loved the art style and the simple yet impactful narrative voice. The overarching message of the importance of community and having a strong support system was so touching and left me feeling very grateful for mine. I may have shed a tear or two at the frames where Thien's mother made him Bánh Cuón-- being a teenager and trying to balance who you are with your friends and who you are with your family. I think the feeling of being an adult and realizing all the things your parents did for you growing up that you were never quite appreciative enough of is a universal one. This graphic novel really felt like a love letter to Thien's parents and to everyone who makes the decision to leave their life in one country for a better one in another. I will definitely be recommending this one to everyone at work when it comes out.
Wow, what a beautiful book. This was a lovely, intimate story of a Vietnamese family and their journey immigrating to America, told through memories of food. As a person whose love language is food (lol) this really spoke to me. Family Style is told in vignettes across the author's life, centring around his family and friends. I loved the art style and the simple yet impactful narrative voice. The overarching message of the importance of community and having a strong support system was so touching and left me feeling very grateful for mine. I may have shed a tear or two at the frames where Thien's mother made him Bánh Cuón-- being a teenager and trying to balance who you are with your friends and who you are with your family. I think the feeling of being an adult and realizing all the things your parents did for you growing up that you were never quite appreciative enough of is a universal one. This graphic novel really felt like a love letter to Thien's parents and to everyone who makes the decision to leave their life in one country for a better one in another. I will definitely be recommending this one to everyone at work when it comes out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
ness's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Hate crime
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
5.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Family Style is a story about identity, growing up in the United States, and family. I was able to attend an event where we heard from Pham about the inspiration and also the stories behind the graphic novel, which only gave me a deeper appreciation of this graphic novel memoir. In Family Style I loved the use of panels and art. The careful usage of dialogue. This memoir is moving and striking.
Family Style is a story about identity, growing up in the United States, and family. I was able to attend an event where we heard from Pham about the inspiration and also the stories behind the graphic novel, which only gave me a deeper appreciation of this graphic novel memoir. In Family Style I loved the use of panels and art. The careful usage of dialogue. This memoir is moving and striking.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
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