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emmabjones's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
psellars11's review against another edition
5.0
I didn’t realize Michelle Zauner had written this book - it was always on my list because I am part white and Asian and I thought the discussions of Asian culture and family relationships would be interesting to me. It definitely was, and it really highlights the trauma evident in many Asian households and the rigid relationships parents and children have, especially dealing with their lives in America. Zauner writes so eloquently, touching on many trying and traumatic aspects of growing up biracial in America, from having few friends, to rebelling against Asian culture, to wistfully regretting that rebellion as an adult, and trying to reclaim and recapture that identity again later on. The loss of connection to your Asian family, the desire to be conventionally beautiful in either white or Asian culture, and so on. Additionally, the importance of food is woven throughout, as it’s emblematic of Korean culture and her relationship with her mother.
This book will make you cry. I cried at least 4-5 times when the grief was discussed and her mother’s death. I knew it was inevitable but it still hurt me nonetheless. It was incredibly cathartic and if you are in the right headspace- this is an incredible, touching read. It ended on a positive note highlighting Zauner’s relationship with Peter and their success in their band, Japanese Breakfast. I loved the homage to her mother with the cover of the album too.
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Racism, Terminal illness, and Car accident
hanandcheese's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Cancer
amkleintje's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
kirstym25's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism and Car accident
melissa_cosgrove's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Rape and Abortion
theotherlindsay's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Cancer and Death
thursdd4y's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Death of parent
linearev's review against another edition
4.75
However, I was not in the slightest, ready, for the heavy hitting force of the fact, that this is a self biography. A portrait of no the the Korean minority in USA but also of a complicated relationship between a mother and daughter. A generational tradition of complicated love and amazing food. It introduces the reader to the inner workings of someone who is both rather relatable as she is partly American, yet also somewhat astranged (from someone who grew up so differently). And yet, the brilliance of her writing reveals itself by letting us into her Korean side and guiding us through that world. It left me feeling both entertained yet also more knowledgeable each time I finished a chapter. Because somehow she balanced this complicated self portrait with humor which created the sort of entertainment often found in fictional books.
All to say that this was very good. It sort of reminds me of the new and popular “I’m glad my mom died” which ironically takes the opposite stance of the maternal relation between the main people, yet left me with the same feeling of stepping out of the life of someone compelling and complicated. I liked it enormously and hope to read more from her soon.
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
archaicrobin's review against another edition
5.0
Zauner does not shy away from the difficult story of her mother’s decline and being the first line of defense and support as the cancer slowly takes her mother away. This memoir is phenomenal, heart wrenching, and beautiful. It was difficult to read at times from how bleak it is at moments, but Zauner’s prose and focus on moving on despite her loss is inspiring. I have been a fan of Japanese Breakfast for years but I am not also a dedicated fan to her as an author as well. Highly recommend reading and listing to Michell Zauner’s works!
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Death of parent