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bookishaddictions's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This one has been on my shelf forever it seems, so it was time to give it a read. I started this hyped to learn since I don’t normally hear much about Cambodian Americans, and I found I myself researching often and learned quite a bit. Overall, I thought the stories were interesting. Each of the short stories depicts one people living their daily (and often connected) lives; this includes the good, the bad, and the ugly. This book did make me uncomfortable in a bad way though, and that ultimately made it a three star read for me. I do not have an issue with smut or dirty scenes in themselves, however, I typically like my books to be upfront about there being sexual content. I was not prepared for the amount of detailed sexual content was included, so it caught me very off guard. If there had been some indicator that there was sexual content in this one, I think I would have been cool with it. On the bright side, there was a lot of talk of yummy sounding food; I’m now looking to see if I have Cambodian near me 🤣✌🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Alcohol, and Drug use
Minor: Domestic abuse and Homophobia
maregred's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide
Moderate: Alcoholism, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Dementia, Drug use, War, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Cultural appropriation, Suicide, Racism, Alcohol, Classism, and Sexual content
readingthroughinfinity's review
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a raw, honest, and moving collection of short stories about Cambodian-Americans finding meaning in their lives and interpersonal bonds in the US. Some of the stand out stories for me were Three women of Chuck's donuts, Maly, Maly, Maly, Human Development, and Generational differences, which were all about family ties and emotional connections with other people.
Anthony Veasna So has a really intimate way of describing human interactions that suggests he really understands the psyche of his characters. I could be wrong, but I got the sense that several of these stories were semi-autobiographical because some of the characters referred to the protagonist as Anthony (and the character's background matched what I know about the author).
This was a bittersweet read because the writing was excellent and really thought-provoking, but the author died before the collection was published, so I know I'll only get to read one more of his books (Songs on Endless Repeat, set to be published in 2023).
Anthony Veasna So has a really intimate way of describing human interactions that suggests he really understands the psyche of his characters. I could be wrong, but I got the sense that several of these stories were semi-autobiographical because some of the characters referred to the protagonist as Anthony (and the character's background matched what I know about the author).
This was a bittersweet read because the writing was excellent and really thought-provoking, but the author died before the collection was published, so I know I'll only get to read one more of his books (Songs on Endless Repeat, set to be published in 2023).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, and Death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Mass/school shootings, and Violence
whatannikareads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I enjoyed a majority of these short stories! One of the stories I did not care for, but for the most part this was a really intimate look into the Cambodian American experience in Stockton, CA. I appreciate that the stories wove fibers of what seems to be Anthony’s real-life experiences and people on his life. It’s very educational about this particular ASAM subculture that needs more light shed upon it. I also appreciate that the last story educated me on a school shooting I’d never even heard of until this book, which is so unfortunate, but I love the perspective he took on it. I’m so sad he wasn’t able to see his final work published, but I’m so glad it exists.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Physical abuse, Death, Dementia, Drug use, Mass/school shootings, Sexual content, and Suicide
jessie_h's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I'm not sure yet what my final rating for this short story collection will be as I'm still processing my thoughts and feelings about it. I will say the minimum will be a 4 stars. I read this book for book club and its one of those books that I'm glad someone pushed me to read because I probably would have never heard of it otherwise.
This book is complex, humorous, haunting, saddening, and intriguing in equal measures. The author (may he rest in peace) wrote about what he knew and it was about being Cambodian American, being the child of refugees who survived the Khmer Rouge, and being gay in a tight-knit minority community. The amount of generational trauma intermingled in these stories is enough to make you weep. I enjoyed reading this collection and I expect that it will be one of those books that I will never stop thinking about.
This book is complex, humorous, haunting, saddening, and intriguing in equal measures. The author (may he rest in peace) wrote about what he knew and it was about being Cambodian American, being the child of refugees who survived the Khmer Rouge, and being gay in a tight-knit minority community. The amount of generational trauma intermingled in these stories is enough to make you weep. I enjoyed reading this collection and I expect that it will be one of those books that I will never stop thinking about.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Addiction and Genocide
annuich's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Blood, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, War, Violence, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Mental illness, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Infidelity, Genocide, Drug use, and Dementia
matthewsalibi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Thanks to NetGalley and Ecco for an advance copy of this book. (I loved it so much I've ordered the hardcover to keep!)
So's voice is so fresh and so specific. It was enthralling to spend these pages with the children of Cambodian refugees in Stockton, CA. The whole collection crackles -- what can't So do?? A book of perfectly-executed short stories, a master class in the form. He winds these stories up so perfectly, it adds a whole meta level of enjoyment; it was fun to step back every few pages to admire how expertly the stories are constructed, how effortlessly he sets up meaning and consequences for his characters.
Also, several LGBTQ+ characters, (maybe all gay men, now that I think about it?), so much more interesting and nuanced than you often find. If you like short stories or stories about complex cultural identities, you should spend some time with this standout collection.
So's voice is so fresh and so specific. It was enthralling to spend these pages with the children of Cambodian refugees in Stockton, CA. The whole collection crackles -- what can't So do?? A book of perfectly-executed short stories, a master class in the form. He winds these stories up so perfectly, it adds a whole meta level of enjoyment; it was fun to step back every few pages to admire how expertly the stories are constructed, how effortlessly he sets up meaning and consequences for his characters.
Also, several LGBTQ+ characters, (maybe all gay men, now that I think about it?), so much more interesting and nuanced than you often find. If you like short stories or stories about complex cultural identities, you should spend some time with this standout collection.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Infidelity, Drug use, Suicide, and Dementia
melaniereadsbooks's review
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank you to Netgalley and Ecco for an arc of this book.
This is a collection of stories about what it means to be Cambodian-American. It combines stories from the older generation that immigrated to America during the Cambodian Genocides, to the younger generation and what it is like to live in that shadow.
This is such a powerful collection of stories. The writing is really strong and intense. I loved the stories that included queer characters. I also really loved the way all the stories began to come together the farther you got into the book. I really enjoyed how they were connected to form this community. Great book.
Pub Date: August 3, 2021
This is a collection of stories about what it means to be Cambodian-American. It combines stories from the older generation that immigrated to America during the Cambodian Genocides, to the younger generation and what it is like to live in that shadow.
This is such a powerful collection of stories. The writing is really strong and intense. I loved the stories that included queer characters. I also really loved the way all the stories began to come together the farther you got into the book. I really enjoyed how they were connected to form this community. Great book.
Pub Date: August 3, 2021
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Genocide, Racism, Drug use, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Gun violence and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Homophobia
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