Reviews

Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li

_philly_'s review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

maxreads1720's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I enjoyed this book a lot! I liked how the author jumped perspectives of a few characters in the book to show how a seemingly hodgepodge group of people are all connected by this one restaurant. The things said and decisions made felt very human, and I liked how the author was able to make you feel so frustrated with these decisions but also make you feel like the decision made sense in the moment. I feel like this could be made into a limited series and/or movie. Good read!

daumari's review against another edition

3.0

Will come back to edit this on computer, maybe, as I'm still processing this. Took longer than I thought to read, largely because I prioritize library books over ones I own. Also a reminder I don't read contemporary fiction that often.

Number One Chinese Restaurant is a family drama, ostensibly about Jimmy Han and his relationships with his brother and Mom, but the heart of the story I felt was between longtime server Nan, her son Pat, and her coworker Ah-Jack.

I guess I just still feel unsettled that nothing about Uncle Pang was resolved and he remains a murky black box.

haileym_25's review against another edition

emotional

• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

corriespondent's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

bookworm_713's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

atsumeri's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

estellecool's review against another edition

4.25

This book just felt so effortless, we were moving between perspectives and it was interesting and easy to read and just like all the characters felt so real. The only reason it was a 5 star is I just didn’t get quite emotionally invested enough, just felt more muted about the ending than I would have guessed at the beginning.

bexellency's review

Unfortunately I started this audiobook while sick and between it reminding me of that and having lost the plot while listening while ill I won’t be carrying on.

moshalala's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0