Reviews

Bijna thuis by Jean Kwok

anjalisudarsan's review against another edition

5.0

Such a touching story. Right from the start, this book had me feeling for Kimberly (the protagonist) and her mother's hardships. Images of dire poverty and having to adjust in a culture so different from yours, when you're not able to communicate in the language were so vivid and felt real. I later learnt that the author herself had been through similar circumstances.
I also loved the inspiration-element of this book; how even in such a situation, Kimberly keeps pushing and working hard for her mother and her future. It's such a beautiful story, and being a quick read it was quite enjoyable.

alsist's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

zwachtel50's review against another edition

emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

verafogel's review against another edition

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Clearly everything that happens in this book is extremely fictional

Kim’s talent for school was simply too good for someone in her situation so it got hard to to actually believe the story while reading it. Nevertheless, it was very inspiring and motivated me to keep studying specially during term exams. 
That being said I hated the ending. I agree that they wouldn’t have been happy together but she managed terribly the hole situation. She should have told Matt about the baby and given the opportunity to have a present dad in his life, even if they weren’t together.

reader4evr's review against another edition

5.0

I am surprised by how much I really enjoyed this book. I can tell you that I wasn't super excited when I saw this on my list of 10 to read but once I got into the book, I feel in love with Kimberly and her ma.

This is a great book of overcoming obstacles and family. I was totally happy with how the book ended as well (although you don't find out about what happened 12 years to her Aunt Paula who was TOTALLY taking advantage of them).

I don't think this would have an wide appeal to teenagers but if they were looking for the topics within this book, it would be a perfect choice.

pheocore's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

daniellejb's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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

3.25

A tough story on the challenges of one Chinese immigrant family to the US - the poverty, the language barriers, the need to do well in school to better your living - combined with a coming of age narrative and a pinch of romance. My biggest qualm is that the ending felt a little rushed (however I’m reading an uncorrected proof so perhaps there were changes). This felt like a deeply personal story and will have moment that stick with me but I’m left lacking in a way that I can’t put my finger on. 

madzmadz's review against another edition

informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

bellsss's review against another edition

3.75

I enjoyed following her story. I liked this one, although the overall atmosphere may have felt a bit flat.

annasg's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0