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Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'
Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam by Thien Pham
7 reviews
jac_panic_attac's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Racism, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Violence
idesofmarch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: War, Xenophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
ashylibrarian's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
What a lovely graphic memoir that shares a piece of the immigrant experience, explores cultural identities, and shares the power and magic of food.
The artwork of this book beautifully supports the storytelling, and I love that each chapter is based around a specific food that sparks strong, impactful memories.
The artwork of this book beautifully supports the storytelling, and I love that each chapter is based around a specific food that sparks strong, impactful memories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Xenophobia, War, and Violence
Minor: Vomit
koreanlinda's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
This is such a wholesome story delivered in beautiful artwork. I learned a lot about Vietnamese immigrants despite me being an immigrant myself. The author Thien Pham made a masterpiece of an immigrant family's story that represents the shared hardship and community building of all immigrants. I strongly recommend.
Review by Linda (she/they) in Oct 2023
Essay writer at DefinitelyNotOkay.com
Podcaster at AmericanKsisters.com
Review by Linda (she/they) in Oct 2023
Essay writer at DefinitelyNotOkay.com
Podcaster at AmericanKsisters.com
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia and War
mattyb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Racism
Minor: Vomit
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
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