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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
Although the TV show was based off Eddie Huang's memoir of the same name, I'm sure anyone would agree that it's a very loose adaptation in terms of content. While the TV show might be a family friendly affair that explores growing up Asian in 90s America, Eddie Huang's memoir explores a grittier and more realistic side.
While Huang is well known as a chef, this book is not a cooking memoir. He details his life growing up searching for meaning in his identity, his love of hip-hop, and his not-so-smart choices he made as a teenager. He does it all with an almost grandiose attitude that, when reading, I'm sure can sound a little boastful. But when listening to his voice and tone in audiobook format, there's definitely a sense of maturity and wisdom that gets through to the reader and I came to appreciate his struggles and successes even more so. While rough around the edges, this is certainly a story that he wrote from the heart.
If you're wondering, there is one recipe that he included in the book.
Definitely worth the read, and even more so in audiobook format.
While Huang is well known as a chef, this book is not a cooking memoir. He details his life growing up searching for meaning in his identity, his love of hip-hop, and his not-so-smart choices he made as a teenager. He does it all with an almost grandiose attitude that, when reading, I'm sure can sound a little boastful. But when listening to his voice and tone in audiobook format, there's definitely a sense of maturity and wisdom that gets through to the reader and I came to appreciate his struggles and successes even more so. While rough around the edges, this is certainly a story that he wrote from the heart.
If you're wondering, there is one recipe that he included in the book.
Definitely worth the read, and even more so in audiobook format.
What started off as research for a spec I was writing turned into one hell of an unexpected delight. Growing up as the child of FOBs has been such a defining part of who I am, and I am entirely cut off from that community in LA. Huang spoke to so many parts of my experience with a nuance and complexity and flavor that I had never experienced before. His thoughts on cultural appropriation versus sharing culture via food are charmingly sophisticated and plain-spoken, which is rare for culture/race discussions these days. While I disagree with some of what he has to say, I sincerely hope more people engage with his work and point-of-view. It is, at the very least, surprising, engaging, and satisfying. A+
It's alright.
It was difficult to get through his cliquish, OTT hip hop speak so I decided to listen to it on audiobook, which was much better BTW. His intelligence is obvious, and so is his passion for cooking and food. But I suppose the problem for me with this memoir is that he has... um... issues? with his identity, which (to be fair) he explicitly is using this memoir as a way to work out. Which is commendable for him to do as a human being, but doesn't make his book good reading. His identity issues pervade the entire book, and being that I definitely have my own issues with being a half-Asian child of first generation Filipino immigrants, was like nails on a chalkboard. Which was like, you'd think we have something in common! Well, bao, I guess (the Filipino kind is called siopao: "sho-pow"). Maybe it was because I grew up in California with a family that didn't abuse me? In a Filipino community (Carson, about 25% Asian), as well. When we moved, we moved to Irvine (about 30% Asian while I was there, and now 45% Asian as of 2010). Tons of Asians around me my whole life. I felt like an outsider because of my speech impediment, acne and being mixed, but not Asian. Also, I am woman, and the issues with Asian stereotyping is different. I feel that Eddie Huang has been deeply hurt by the emasculation of Asian men in our racist society, to where he has internalized it and really... has almost made it a part of his identity. He derision of "Uncle Chans" and idealization of "hypermasculine" Black hip hop popular culture (which is, in my opinion, awkwardly problematic of him) come to mind, and his sexism. And being that my Asian stereotype to fight is being over-sexualized I was like, "ugh." Seriously, like three days ago (literally three days ago) I went to Jollibee while I was sick to get some comfort food and there was this white guy kept eyeballing me in that way that was like, he wanted to eat ME. Like, does he stalk around the Filipino food market to find Asian single women to oogle? Especially half-Asian women (which I have noticed is a specific well... fetish). Honestly, I think he does. GROSS.
He writes like a stand-up comedy routine, which I wish I knew before starting! When he talks about how in stand-up you take the parts of yourself and exaggerate it (when you are almost finished with the memoir), I was like, "Yeah, figured you were doing something like that," but he also mixes in very sincere parts and the transition is not well executed (another thing that is easier to discern in the audiobook).
He has a very specific and strong idea of what authenticity looks like, and it looks very different from what my idea of authenticity looks like. It's the usual masculine, working-class... bullshit. Like, ah... the noble, strong working class (which he has never actually been a part of). With lots of traditional/community ties. Cliquish snobbery. I am more comfortable being radically myself, even if I have to do it alone, which being a weirdo bisexual/biracial woman has practically forced me into doing.
I do feel him with the food though. Just writing this review makes me think of telling people (white people) about siopao and them correcting me with like, "It's called 'B'ao," and in my head I am like... you MOTHERFUCKER.
It was difficult to get through his cliquish, OTT hip hop speak so I decided to listen to it on audiobook, which was much better BTW. His intelligence is obvious, and so is his passion for cooking and food. But I suppose the problem for me with this memoir is that he has... um... issues? with his identity, which (to be fair) he explicitly is using this memoir as a way to work out. Which is commendable for him to do as a human being, but doesn't make his book good reading. His identity issues pervade the entire book, and being that I definitely have my own issues with being a half-Asian child of first generation Filipino immigrants, was like nails on a chalkboard. Which was like, you'd think we have something in common! Well, bao, I guess (the Filipino kind is called siopao: "sho-pow"). Maybe it was because I grew up in California with a family that didn't abuse me? In a Filipino community (Carson, about 25% Asian), as well. When we moved, we moved to Irvine (about 30% Asian while I was there, and now 45% Asian as of 2010). Tons of Asians around me my whole life. I felt like an outsider because of my speech impediment, acne and being mixed, but not Asian. Also, I am woman, and the issues with Asian stereotyping is different. I feel that Eddie Huang has been deeply hurt by the emasculation of Asian men in our racist society, to where he has internalized it and really... has almost made it a part of his identity. He derision of "Uncle Chans" and idealization of "hypermasculine" Black hip hop popular culture (which is, in my opinion, awkwardly problematic of him) come to mind, and his sexism. And being that my Asian stereotype to fight is being over-sexualized I was like, "ugh." Seriously, like three days ago (literally three days ago) I went to Jollibee while I was sick to get some comfort food and there was this white guy kept eyeballing me in that way that was like, he wanted to eat ME. Like, does he stalk around the Filipino food market to find Asian single women to oogle? Especially half-Asian women (which I have noticed is a specific well... fetish). Honestly, I think he does. GROSS.
He writes like a stand-up comedy routine, which I wish I knew before starting! When he talks about how in stand-up you take the parts of yourself and exaggerate it (when you are almost finished with the memoir), I was like, "Yeah, figured you were doing something like that," but he also mixes in very sincere parts and the transition is not well executed (another thing that is easier to discern in the audiobook).
He has a very specific and strong idea of what authenticity looks like, and it looks very different from what my idea of authenticity looks like. It's the usual masculine, working-class... bullshit. Like, ah... the noble, strong working class (which he has never actually been a part of). With lots of traditional/community ties. Cliquish snobbery. I am more comfortable being radically myself, even if I have to do it alone, which being a weirdo bisexual/biracial woman has practically forced me into doing.
I do feel him with the food though. Just writing this review makes me think of telling people (white people) about siopao and them correcting me with like, "It's called 'B'ao," and in my head I am like... you MOTHERFUCKER.
I really liked this. Huang has a ton of smart things to say about race in America -- in particular about the experience of first-gen Americans struggling with holding onto the culture of their forebears amid the unspoken urge to assimilate. It's all stuff I could easily relate to and Huang offers a fresh, illuminating perspective. I don't agree with some of his arguments and conclusions but I respect the hell out of all of them. Maybe my one pet peeve is how quick he is to discredit things he doesn't understand; it's hypocritical on the surface but also just part of being human, so he gets a pass.
Huang's got a terrific writer's voice. He incorporates slang and cultural references effortlessly. It's never on the nose or forced -- it feels very authentic, which you can tell is important to him. I wish more people were themselves enough to write this way.. Pro tip: It's worth it to spring for (or borrow) the audiobook because Huang's narration really pops.
Huang's most powerful argument is his defense of ethnic food as a cultural artifact. I knew I was always right to hate on shitty fusion food; Eddie simply put my feelings into words. You gotta respect where the dishes came from and what they represent.
Huang's got a terrific writer's voice. He incorporates slang and cultural references effortlessly. It's never on the nose or forced -- it feels very authentic, which you can tell is important to him. I wish more people were themselves enough to write this way.. Pro tip: It's worth it to spring for (or borrow) the audiobook because Huang's narration really pops.
Huang's most powerful argument is his defense of ethnic food as a cultural artifact. I knew I was always right to hate on shitty fusion food; Eddie simply put my feelings into words. You gotta respect where the dishes came from and what they represent.
Some people have a rough start in life and they use it as an excuse to never reach for anything, to never excel. Then there are people like Eddie Huang. Actually, I'm not sure there *is* anyone else like Eddie. Fresh Off the Boat is as unique a memoir as they come, and it certainly is like no other from someone who is reasonably well-known for his cooking.
Eddie's family are FOB (fresh off the boat - new immigrants) when the book begins, though he is born in the United States. His father is...old-fashioned...and his treatment of his children veers way off the path into abusive territory. His mother appears to be not in her right mind half the time. And Eddie is completely honest about how he was often in trouble and was a rough kid. However, the book is written with utter truth and no pleas for understanding or excuses for behavior. He basically just says, this is who I am and how I got here. Take it or leave it. And he makes it very clear that if you choose to leave it, he won't really care one way or the other. His honesty is refreshing and is what truly makes the book more than the sum of its parts.
From the abuse doled out by his father, to the discrimination he received at the hands of kids and adults alike, to his best friends - Eddie lets it all hang out. It's a very well-written story, with an absolutely unique and intelligent voice. There were only two things that bothered me about the book, neither of them deal-breakers (in my mind). One - the story gets slightly off track about 1/3 of the way in, where the stories about partying begin to take over. I think it went on longer than necessary, but thankfully it was short-lived. Two - there were times when I couldn't understand a flippin' thing he was saying! The English he was writing was more like some crazy foreign language I never got around to learning. Thankfully, it came and went in fairly small bits at a time. It fit the story, so it's truly hard to nitpick that.
All-in-all, I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. He has built a successful business being true to himself, and this book is no different.
Eddie's family are FOB (fresh off the boat - new immigrants) when the book begins, though he is born in the United States. His father is...old-fashioned...and his treatment of his children veers way off the path into abusive territory. His mother appears to be not in her right mind half the time. And Eddie is completely honest about how he was often in trouble and was a rough kid. However, the book is written with utter truth and no pleas for understanding or excuses for behavior. He basically just says, this is who I am and how I got here. Take it or leave it. And he makes it very clear that if you choose to leave it, he won't really care one way or the other. His honesty is refreshing and is what truly makes the book more than the sum of its parts.
From the abuse doled out by his father, to the discrimination he received at the hands of kids and adults alike, to his best friends - Eddie lets it all hang out. It's a very well-written story, with an absolutely unique and intelligent voice. There were only two things that bothered me about the book, neither of them deal-breakers (in my mind). One - the story gets slightly off track about 1/3 of the way in, where the stories about partying begin to take over. I think it went on longer than necessary, but thankfully it was short-lived. Two - there were times when I couldn't understand a flippin' thing he was saying! The English he was writing was more like some crazy foreign language I never got around to learning. Thankfully, it came and went in fairly small bits at a time. It fit the story, so it's truly hard to nitpick that.
All-in-all, I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. He has built a successful business being true to himself, and this book is no different.
3.5
I did the audio on this one, and it was great, as Eddie is so into it, he chuckles while saying his jokes, and there is a real enthusiasm. Warning, lots of swearing, it worked on audio, not sure how well it works on the page.
The book itself is not a food memoir, it's about his growing up in America, in Florida, being the only Asian kid at school and being bullied every. single. day. It's a story of racism.
He looked different, he was raised differently, he had Chinese food for lunch, and kids made fun of him all the time. He felt he didn't belong. So he became a real hustler, having pretty much a criminal career, before finding the light and turning his life around.
I read a lot of comments finding that the book is a piece of garbage for complaining so much about America (you know, the 'if you don't like it, go back to where you come from, ungrateful jerk' type of comment). But even though I can't relate to the book, I'm pretty sure this is the daily life of so many kids, including Back kids! Eddie and so many others are first generation, and they have to split themselves between who they're expected to be in school and in the world, and who they are at home with their family. They can't abandon their roots, but are not accepted as who they are in the real world. And they feel they don't belong, because we don't make any effort to put ourselves in their shoes.
Another testimony that we need diverse books, and broaden our horizon.
I did the audio on this one, and it was great, as Eddie is so into it, he chuckles while saying his jokes, and there is a real enthusiasm. Warning, lots of swearing, it worked on audio, not sure how well it works on the page.
The book itself is not a food memoir, it's about his growing up in America, in Florida, being the only Asian kid at school and being bullied every. single. day. It's a story of racism.
He looked different, he was raised differently, he had Chinese food for lunch, and kids made fun of him all the time. He felt he didn't belong. So he became a real hustler, having pretty much a criminal career, before finding the light and turning his life around.
I read a lot of comments finding that the book is a piece of garbage for complaining so much about America (you know, the 'if you don't like it, go back to where you come from, ungrateful jerk' type of comment). But even though I can't relate to the book, I'm pretty sure this is the daily life of so many kids, including Back kids! Eddie and so many others are first generation, and they have to split themselves between who they're expected to be in school and in the world, and who they are at home with their family. They can't abandon their roots, but are not accepted as who they are in the real world. And they feel they don't belong, because we don't make any effort to put ourselves in their shoes.
Another testimony that we need diverse books, and broaden our horizon.
I’m a huge fan of the “Fresh Off the Boat” TV series so I wanted to check out this book. It’s different from the series and deals with complex issues in a serious and sometimes comedic way. I really enjoyed it.
I’m a first generation Korean-American and I’m interested in how other Asians reconcile their own identity with being American. I don’t agree with how Eddie Huang views and treats women in the book and I don’t necessarily relate to some of his views of American and Asian identity and culture, but I think he hit it home with a lot of his ideas. It took me a long time to read this book because I would have to pause a lot; his descriptions of family and cultural differences hit a little too close to home and it was hard for me to deal with. I find some solace knowing I have some shared experiences with others.
Eddie Huang struggles with his voice and identity. He uses food to address and answer questions of race, culture, and what it means to be American and to try to gain some understanding. It’s awesome to see someone so passionate about something they love; for Eddie it’s food. I’m sure this book was difficult at times to write and I respect him for it. I’ve got to read his second book now.
I’m a first generation Korean-American and I’m interested in how other Asians reconcile their own identity with being American. I don’t agree with how Eddie Huang views and treats women in the book and I don’t necessarily relate to some of his views of American and Asian identity and culture, but I think he hit it home with a lot of his ideas. It took me a long time to read this book because I would have to pause a lot; his descriptions of family and cultural differences hit a little too close to home and it was hard for me to deal with. I find some solace knowing I have some shared experiences with others.
Eddie Huang struggles with his voice and identity. He uses food to address and answer questions of race, culture, and what it means to be American and to try to gain some understanding. It’s awesome to see someone so passionate about something they love; for Eddie it’s food. I’m sure this book was difficult at times to write and I respect him for it. I’ve got to read his second book now.