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clotalksbooks's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
4.75
A beautiful book. An exploration of family and experience across three generations. The power of storytelling expertly told. It was so interesting to get an insight into different cultures, and the seeking of belonging, the challenges associated. I could practically taste the food, smell the smells, hear the sounds. Such clever writing. It wasn't a book I zoomed through, as it did take some time to reflect and absorb. There were some passages where I was sobbing, but I was overall left with hope and admiration. I now have a desire to learn more. Although some parts didnt grab me quite as strongly as the rest, it is a very good book.
_karinaiello_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A solid 3.75 for me, this was a very well-structured story and, although it contained quite a lot of history that I was unfamiliar with, it was easy to follow. The not-quite-four-star review comes from the almost too simplistic way the story was told. It seemed a bit "easy" in terms of the way everything happened and wrapped up. While a lot happened, it felt like a lot was not happening at the same time. I feel like it was missing a tiny bit of something, but I can't quite put my finger on what it was. Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
cam_musubi's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sorrel_applegate's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
kukazashi's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Violence, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Sexual assault, Child death, Murder, and Racism
schishkabob's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
philly37898's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
heidipolkissa82's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.5
julanna's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
hiitsmecassie's review against another edition
4.0
i’ve been looking for a multi generational book about chinese immigrants for so long as i am chinese and very much into history i give it a 4 but most of the rating is because of meilins story once renshu goes to america i found myself wishing that she’d just go back to meilin idk i think it’s because i found the characters in america were insufferable especially rachel i liked that she wanted lily to know her heritage but then she’d let her parents call her child a gook i’m biracial too i know what it’s like to have terrible white grandparents yet nobody said don’t call your grandchild a gook