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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
I loved it!!!! An intricate exploration of culture, identity, race, food, and what it means to be an “American.” All of this set in such a fun and intriguing storyline, and all real life!
I love this sitcom and thought the book would be entertaining, especially when read by the author. I was wrong. The juxtaposition of well thought-out food critique and f-bomb laden banter about getting high and wreaking havoc didn't work for me. I'm far from puritanical, but I thought much of the slang-infused storytelling was juvenile and, frankly, a bit boring. Sneakerheads might get a kick out of it. Foodies? Maybe. Two stars because of a few redeeming moments: part of Chapter 9 and, toward the end, the commentary about cultural appropriation of ethnic cuisine.
I grabbed this book because I enjoyed the TV show that shares the same title. If you’re looking for something similar to the light-hearted and loving TV family, this book may not be for you. They aren’t similar at all. That being said, I enjoyed the author’s style, the book just wasn’t quite what I was looking for. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
How’s someone who namedrops Audre Lorde so much still gonna be so sexist? If you’re going to bring intersectional feminists to the table to show your wokeness chops you’d damn well better do the dishes. Furthermore, I’m just not sure I trust the credentials of someone who uncritically stans the R*dsk*ns and thinks the height of activism is selling Obama T-shirts while stepping all over Asian and Arab women to make a point about Asian masculinity. As so much written by men is, it’s up on the class and racial aspects of oppression, way, way down on the axes of gender and sexuality. Although I’m sure he thinks himself the second coming of Lynn Fujiwara.
Otherwise fairly enjoyable.
ETA one day later: I have since discovered some pretty nasty examples of misogynoiristic harassment in his past and definitely can no longer recommend this book or anything related to Huang. Lots of people manage to write interestingly and incisively about race, assimilation, whiteness, abuse, trauma, and humor without themselves furthering oppression. Down to two stars.
Otherwise fairly enjoyable.
ETA one day later: I have since discovered some pretty nasty examples of misogynoiristic harassment in his past and definitely can no longer recommend this book or anything related to Huang. Lots of people manage to write interestingly and incisively about race, assimilation, whiteness, abuse, trauma, and humor without themselves furthering oppression. Down to two stars.
An Asian male myself, I found Eddie’s writing extremely relatable. His anger and crude language at times during his upbringing almost felt like a diary entry that I’d write myself. Scary considering he’s almost twenty years my senior and you would’ve thought things would’ve changed since his time
This is a great book if you love hip-hop, food, and sneakers. I, unfortunately, am not a huge fan of any of those listed but it was amusing at times that I could get the references.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced