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penalew's review against another edition
5.0
This was a lovely book. Very empowering for young women.
kellyjcm's review against another edition
2.0
I love this cover, even though I don't know how accurately it portrays Frances' story. I'm still mulling over my thoughts, but I really enjoyed the theme of empowerment through language and speech. I'm not sure I know where Frances is at the end of the novel, either.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
Frances' life reminded me of the many tales I've heard of my parent's generation of Jewish children growing up in places like the Lower East Side or the Bronx: their parents sacrificed and scrimped so that the next generation could do better, achieve more, and only certain schools and the highest grades, the most correct behavior was allowed. Who needs sports? Who needs dates?
That Bitter Melon is set in 1989, rather than 1939 (or earlier) is what will surprise readers. Aren't we supposed to be more enlightened now, don't parents realize that praise and encouragement are "best" for their children? And how can you possibly apply to college without a c.v. filled with extra-curriculars like volunteering and music? It was interesting reading this just as the Tiger Mom issue flared, as it highlighted the truth behind the story.
ARC provided by publisher.
That Bitter Melon is set in 1989, rather than 1939 (or earlier) is what will surprise readers. Aren't we supposed to be more enlightened now, don't parents realize that praise and encouragement are "best" for their children? And how can you possibly apply to college without a c.v. filled with extra-curriculars like volunteering and music? It was interesting reading this just as the Tiger Mom issue flared, as it highlighted the truth behind the story.
ARC provided by publisher.
wintermelons's review against another edition
4.0
can't believe i found this in my bookshelf from 2012. i'm going to read this again and see how i feel about it again
buuboobaby's review against another edition
4.0
Could not put this one down. Wow. I can not imagine myself in Frances' shoes. Great debut novel!
mon_ique's review against another edition
3.0
Not sure how I feel about this book, probably because of the issues tackled in it by the MC. She did some wrong, horrible things, her mom did some wrong, horrible things, and pretty much everyone else did something wrong (which is completely normal for the human race). I cannot agree with Frances' actions at times, although I rooted for her to get away from her abusive mother. Mentally, emotionally and physically; the mother might seem loving at times, but the abuse she blasted Frances with is too commonly viewed as normal. I did like Derek, tho, and Theresa. I'm pretty sure everything was appropriate and what not (only "pretty sure" cause I think I skipped some stuff where I don't know what happened..), plus no cursing. Would recommend to people not likely to be easily influenced by MC!
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
2.0
2.5.
Pretty good. I was engaged with this and I really felt for Frances. I wanted her to succeed, and I felt the story resolved quite well.
However, there were some passage of time issues in the story, and the writing itself wasn't that strong. I never quite felt the immediacy of the mother here, as I almost felt Frances's belief that her mother was overbearing was more powerful than the actual overbearing mother. A little heavy on the tell rather than the show. The only time it ever worked was when it came to Frances's weight and her mother's insistence on the diet. I wanted more of that in the story.
Pretty good. I was engaged with this and I really felt for Frances. I wanted her to succeed, and I felt the story resolved quite well.
However, there were some passage of time issues in the story, and the writing itself wasn't that strong. I never quite felt the immediacy of the mother here, as I almost felt Frances's belief that her mother was overbearing was more powerful than the actual overbearing mother. A little heavy on the tell rather than the show. The only time it ever worked was when it came to Frances's weight and her mother's insistence on the diet. I wanted more of that in the story.
sunbear98's review against another edition
4.0
The story of a Chinese girl (Frances) that is a senior in high school. Her mother is very strict to the point of being abusive. Her mother has big plans for her to take higher math courses in order to go to Berkley and med school. An accidental placement in a speech class introduces Frances to a special teacher and ideas other than her mother's.