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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
On my parents' trip to see my grandfather last month, my mother wanted something to read for the car ride and saw this in my library book pile. She said she couldn't finish/didn't like it because of the swear words and sex (though tbh I can think of maybe 1 chapter where the second is a thing). Even though they're both 2nd gen, Eddie Huang is a Gen Xer and a rotten banana to boot, so I can kinda get the cultural disconnect.
I wasn't familiar with Huang but I did recognize the name Baohaus and the cover/title were intriguing, which is why I checked it out. It reminds me very much of [b:Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly|33313|Kitchen Confidential Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly|Anthony Bourdain|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348988611s/33313.jpg|4219] in terms of I-Don't-Give-A-Fuck tone and writing style. Also because they're both autobiographies with the occasional food bits thrown in. I'm inclined to agree with Huang's assessment that celebrity chefs getting famous marketing 'ethnic' cuisine is nothing short of culinary imperialism, and now I'm really hungry for some bao (even if I am one of those ABCs checking off every Model Minority stereotype I've stumbled into).
I wasn't familiar with Huang but I did recognize the name Baohaus and the cover/title were intriguing, which is why I checked it out. It reminds me very much of [b:Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly|33313|Kitchen Confidential Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly|Anthony Bourdain|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348988611s/33313.jpg|4219] in terms of I-Don't-Give-A-Fuck tone and writing style. Also because they're both autobiographies with the occasional food bits thrown in. I'm inclined to agree with Huang's assessment that celebrity chefs getting famous marketing 'ethnic' cuisine is nothing short of culinary imperialism, and now I'm really hungry for some bao (even if I am one of those ABCs checking off every Model Minority stereotype I've stumbled into).
3.75 Honestly surprised this got made into a show on ABC with some of the crazy things that happened to him during his childhood. Inspiring and real. I actually feel like I learned something. I liked how he talked about how the further south you go in Florida the less "southern" it gets. Sad I never got to eat at his restaurant in NYC.
My expectations about this book were very wrong. I picked it up in a library sale and saw the tie-in to the TV show but it was VERY different. I did some reading and Huang agreed that his story and the show are worlds apart. Loved him talking about food and hip hop and basketball and race and his teachers, but there were definitely some issues when it came to gender and how he spoke about women.
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Not a literary masterpiece, but it doesn't claim to be. Fresh Off The Boat is a quintessential anti-post-racial narrative. Should be mandatory reading in any contemporary ethnic studies course.
So, this book gets a lot of credit for sustaining my attention, because before this, I have never been able to really finish an autobiography.
I liked how real the author was. It's weird but I felt like after reading this book I was able to properly appreciate how gentrification can (negatively) affect the community. Also being a foodie, I loved all the parts about food. It's so true that the best food is many times just the simple dishes we have at home.
However, I need to cut off points for some of the middle chapters. Those were really boring and did not offer me anything insightful to think about. Plus, while I respect and admire the author for taking his own path in life, I don't think it is right to judge people who follow the more traditional path, as long as that's what they want. So, it's a 3 stars for me.
I liked how real the author was. It's weird but I felt like after reading this book I was able to properly appreciate how gentrification can (negatively) affect the community. Also being a foodie, I loved all the parts about food. It's so true that the best food is many times just the simple dishes we have at home.
However, I need to cut off points for some of the middle chapters. Those were really boring and did not offer me anything insightful to think about. Plus, while I respect and admire the author for taking his own path in life, I don't think it is right to judge people who follow the more traditional path, as long as that's what they want. So, it's a 3 stars for me.
I have the biggest love hate relationship with Eddie because he is someone I wouldn’t get along with he’s to cocky, smokes drug and can be a straight up dick. I admire him as well because he’s so hardworking, is very intellectual and successful but my favourite quality of Eddie is his love for his family! Especially with his brothers Emery and Evan. When he talks about his brothers in the book you can really feel how much he cares and want to protect his younger brothers. I love his dedication “To Emery who loved it and Evan who built it” made me cry!!!! Such a great story and I recommend listening to the audiobook
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Huang is a genius on so many fronts and it’s evidenced again by the wildly entertaining, darkly humorous and heart-tugging stories collected here. You can easily see why he caught the attention of a nation and rocketed to fame, especially considering his rocky roots. With passion and humility, the chef, activist, lawyer, and comedian invites us to see the world through a wholly unique lens!
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
After watching and loving the show, I listened to the audiobook, since I believe life stories should be told through speaking and not words on a page. I’m so shocked at how much of disservice the show did to Eddie’s life story.
I’m super impressed with Eddie’s ability to reflect and articulate on his thoughts and feelings. The author has a unique skill for story telling to make you feel like you were there for all of his experiences.
Im not really interested in traveling to America, but after this I’m tempted to buy a plane ticket just to try his food.
As an Australian, the dominate ethnic group in my city is Chinese, so if your looking to understand a smidge of your neighbours culture and experience, Eddie’s book is a great point of reference for some of the hardships and adversity.
Thanks Eddie!!!
I’m super impressed with Eddie’s ability to reflect and articulate on his thoughts and feelings. The author has a unique skill for story telling to make you feel like you were there for all of his experiences.
Im not really interested in traveling to America, but after this I’m tempted to buy a plane ticket just to try his food.
As an Australian, the dominate ethnic group in my city is Chinese, so if your looking to understand a smidge of your neighbours culture and experience, Eddie’s book is a great point of reference for some of the hardships and adversity.
Thanks Eddie!!!
Eddie Huang's memoir is a refreshing view on what it's like to grow up as a minority in America and finding your way in life. I have rarely laughed out loud while reading a book but Huang's words are refreshing, entertaining, and most importantly, brutally honest.