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dunkindonut's review against another edition
4.5
Really beautiful, complex and diverse stories through the lens of (mostly) female, Asian American storytellers. Something for everyone in here. Really would like to put the emphasis on how beautiful the stories are.
lou_weed's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
megan_'s review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
simplyselicia's review against another edition
3.0
A great collection of stories that shared some very sincere vulnerability.
kappafrog's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
These stories all had similar themes and tone, which made most of them run together. What stood out to me was that most of the characters had a profound discomfort with bodies. None of the women ever enjoy sex, and men's sexual experiences are described with clinical detachment. A little more variety would have made the collection more interesting.
I liked the written style of "First Language." My favourite stories were probably "The Church of Abundant Life" and "The Art of Losing." But overall, I found this collection to be kind of a drag.
I liked the written style of "First Language." My favourite stories were probably "The Church of Abundant Life" and "The Art of Losing." But overall, I found this collection to be kind of a drag.
muccia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Skinship took me a longer time to read than most books. Not because it was boring or because I didn’t like it, but because it needed to sit with me for some time. This collection of short stories was unlike anything I’ve ever read. It brought forward perspectives from communities that I had no knowledge of and no real baseline for. It demonstrated how it feels to not fit in, to not speak English, to feel like an outsider in your own community. Yoon Choi was able to accomplish a discomfort in me that I needed to feel in order for me to even remotely understand what it must be like for a minority living in this country. To try to comprehend how a young woman in an arranged marriage feels, or an immigrant coming here to live out the “American dream.” Skinship is poignant and profound and would do well in the hands of anyone hoping to find a little hope for humanity and togetherness in this world.
gio_shelves's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
deannairisreads's review against another edition
I never DNF this far in, but unfortunately I just can’t keep my eyes open for any of these stories with the exception of Skinship.
matthewbrand's review against another edition
2.0
It's a very well written book, but definitely not my taste. They were emotional (sad) stories about everyday people living their lives with regrets. I'm not sure if I was the target audience (or what the target audience was), it just didn't float my boat.