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jenguerrero's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mass/school shootings
Minor: Suicide
athena484's review
- 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? No
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content and War
Minor: Mass/school shootings
annuich's review against another edition
- 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
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
emmclaay's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Sexual content, and Violence
readingwithkt's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Often exploring difficult or complex themes, AFTERPARTIES holds a special focus on the Cambodian genocide (1975-1979) and the lasting effects on those who survived it. The collection explores intergenerational trauma, and trauma in general; the marks it leaves upon us, and a possible new path forward for survivors.
At times entertaining, at other points unsettling or disturbing; Anthony Veasna So's writing is evocative and immersive. I'm grateful to have read an early copy of this title via Netgalley.
I was devastated to learn of Anthony Veasna So's passing - a writer that has been taken from us far too soon. My thoughts are with his partner, family, and loved ones. And thank you to Anthony Veasna So for writing these stories and choosing to put them out into the world.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Terminal illness
Minor: Genocide
librariangeorgia's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Genocide, Gun violence, and Death
Minor: Mass/school shootings and Homophobia
melaniereadsbooks's review
- 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
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
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Genocide, Racism, Drug use, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Gun violence and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Homophobia
notabookseller's review
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Stalking, and Suicide
mezzano's review
- 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
So's strongest stories are those which focus intensely on a particular character. Each story displays how trauma has affected an entire community, even those who are an ocean away from memories of genocide, poverty, and war. Superking Son Scores Again is a great story as it blends the past generational traumas with the pressures and expectations of young students today, but using badminton as a driving force for the story. Human Development focuses on a teacher who is teaching Moby Dick to students, while surrounded by a sea of connections who are making plenty of money focusing on technological advancements and applications. This story was particularly memorable, as the main character is both envious and flawed, but still trying to find his own meaning after graduating from esteemed universities. There are plenty of stories which don't focus on students or education at all, such as Three Women of Chuck's Donuts and Generational Differences, which all bring something to think about and relish in their own right. While some of the middle stories blend together at times, this is mostly the result of certain stories shining more brightly than others than any story being particularly dim or boring.
Upon learning of Anthony Veasana So's untimely death, I found it saddening that there would be no second collection of stories. Still, So's debut feels like an instant classic--a must have for any bookshelf.
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Minor: Mass/school shootings