Reviews with content warning for Bullying - American Born Chinese

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American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

28 reviews

tinytrashqueen's review against another edition

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fast-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

2.0

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billd's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

I decided to find this graphic novel, American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang after enjoying Lunar New Year Love Story a couple of weeks ago. Quite different, it was still an excellent story, with great artwork by Yang and vibrant coloring by Lark Pien.

Basically you've got three stories intertwined in this novel. Jin Wang has just moved to a new school and is trying to fit into a new school, one where he stands out because of he is different. The 2nd story involves the Monkey King who is rejected by the other Asian gods and wants revenge. The 3rd story is about Danny, another student trying to develop a relationship with one of his schoolmates only to be intruded on by his cousin, Chin-Kee, who is loud and irritating. The book moves between the three stories and finally, neatly puts them all together, in a surprising, neat way, making everything clear.

It's a story about trying to fit in, make friends, maybe trying to develop a relationship, when your cultures are different. It can be an uncomfortable story at times but as Gene Luen Yang says in his afterword, it's a story he felt had to be told. And even though he tells it from his Asian - American experience of being bullied and ignored, he says that people of all races, sexual orientation and faiths told him they could relate to it. Can I relate to it? I grew up in a very insular environment so maybe not but I hope I can appreciate it and learn from it. And I think that's the point, which is told imaginatively and emotionally. (As a note, American Born Chinese was one of 20 books removed from general circulation by the Mississippi Madison County Schools. It requires parental permission for students to take it out.)

Check it out. It's worth reading. (4.0 stars)

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whatisjordyreading's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny reflective sad 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

5.0

a very important book. thank you Gene Luen Yang ✨️
allow this book to challenge you-- to shift & grow your mind and heart.

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mezzoanddolce's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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

I LOVED this

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bashsbooks's review

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emotional funny reflective fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

I read Gene Luen Yang's Boxers and Saints as a teen, but I hadn't thought about his work in many years until a friend of mine mentioned this book recently. I enjoyed American Born Chinese quite a lot - I found the three storylines interesting, and there was quite a bit of depth to the central theme, of coming to terms with who you are, of being an outcast, of finding people who want you to be you. The ending felt a little rushed - the way the three storylines came together seemed a little too quick. But otherwise, great graphic novel.

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