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vaekay's review against another edition
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Heavy groomer/borderline pedophilic (maybe not-so-borderline pedophilic) content. Stuck in extremely gross, misogynistic mens' point of views for the majority of the book. Bounces from the POV of a 9 year old Tammy to an adult Tammy having sex with her fiancee then back to a childhood Tammy. Lots of casual racism towards Black and brown people of color as well as other Chinese people. I understand that the internalized Sinophobia/racism is a plot point of the book, but myself and my Chinese partner were very disturbed by it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Body shaming, Classism, Death of parent, Child abuse, Xenophobia, Animal cruelty, Blood, Car accident, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, and Fatphobia
Minor: Gun violence, Deportation, Injury/Injury detail, and Islamophobia
alexandracpedro's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.0
"Paper Names" by Susie Lou shares the life stories of flawed characters. No one is perfect in this story, just like no one is perfect in real life. A person can be both aggressive and caring, both self-centred and unprejudiced, both liar and penitent. The flaws make them relatable, the redeemable characteristics make them likeable.
This book is a portal. It gives insight into what it is like to live in China and also as Chinese immigrants in New York. Yet, it goes beyond that, too. The honesty of the scenes and feelings portrayed is so deep that it transcends countries and nationalities. It is about home: losing it when we leave, and finding (or creating) it again wherever we arrive.
"Paper Names" also speaks of coming to terms with one's past, and about how everyone, in their own way, has to go through that process sooner or later. Only then are we able to find ourselves beyond material desires or toxic relationships.
The writing is easy-to-read and -understand, but sometimes I would have loved to have been able to follow the story in a more linear fashion. This doesn't take away from the story, though, only from the reading experience. Unless non-linear timelines are a no-no for you, I would still recommend that you give "Paper Names" a go!
I received the ebook "Paper Names" by Susie Lou as an ARC, but this is my candid opinion. I am extremely thankful for having had the opportunity to read it and to now review it for you, hoping that more people enjoy this timeless story.
This book is a portal. It gives insight into what it is like to live in China and also as Chinese immigrants in New York. Yet, it goes beyond that, too. The honesty of the scenes and feelings portrayed is so deep that it transcends countries and nationalities. It is about home: losing it when we leave, and finding (or creating) it again wherever we arrive.
"Paper Names" also speaks of coming to terms with one's past, and about how everyone, in their own way, has to go through that process sooner or later. Only then are we able to find ourselves beyond material desires or toxic relationships.
The writing is easy-to-read and -understand, but sometimes I would have loved to have been able to follow the story in a more linear fashion. This doesn't take away from the story, though, only from the reading experience. Unless non-linear timelines are a no-no for you, I would still recommend that you give "Paper Names" a go!
I received the ebook "Paper Names" by Susie Lou as an ARC, but this is my candid opinion. I am extremely thankful for having had the opportunity to read it and to now review it for you, hoping that more people enjoy this timeless story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Murder, Death, Death of parent, and Racism
oceanwriter's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.0
Literary fiction with generational themes has been an unintentional go-to for me this year. I picked up Paper Names not long after reading Banyan Moon so it was fun to switch perspectives. While Banyan Moon followed mother/daughter/grandmother dynamics, Paper Names had more of a father/daughter theme to it.
Tony has only ever wanted the best life for his daughter Tammy. To him, that means leaving China and building a new life in America. It hasn’t been easy for him. He's afraid to venture from his small circle out of fear. It’s easier for Tammy as a first-generation American. She and her father tend to butt heads as she strives to lead her own American lifestyle where Tony is often stuck in the middle of the culture in which he was raised and the one he sought out for Tammy. After an accident, a man named Oliver comes into their lives, bringing his own perspective on what it means to be American.
I loved reading the scenes between Tony and Tammy as well as a lot of Tony’s chapters in general. I can’t say I was hooked on the story as a whole. Given what drew me to the book, it didn’t seem like Oliver’s perspective was entirely necessary. Otherwise, the writing style was strong for a debut aside from some pacing issues. The ending happened so quickly and predictable once the setup had been made.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Car accident, and Child abuse
Moderate: Racism, Adult/minor relationship, and Animal cruelty
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Classism, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Car accident, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Physical abuse, Racism, Toxic friendship, and Violence
hannah_banana_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
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
2.75
I’m torn. It’s a good book, I enjoyed reading it. It didn’t end clean- but I guess few things do. This book reflects how messy and unresolved real relationships can progress and end as well. No one is owed something clean tied in a bow. Sad. Can’t say Insee a super clear plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Death, and Domestic abuse
allapaz's review against another edition
4.25
this was a hell of a story, the family relationships and coming-of-age and 'American dream' story and its pitfalls and struggles and triumphs and tragedies. I was floored this was a debut, the author works the non-linear timeline and different POVs so well. only really loses a star for me because (light spoiler) ....Oliver. He gave me the ick so bad with his relationship with Tammy, I think it would have been a lot more powerful if the author either A. left that as a wholesome big brother relationship, or B. went full on to call him out/make it clear that he's icky. Because, fight me, falling 'in love' with a girl you taught piano to when she was in 4th grade and you were in your 20s is weird and predatory as hell...glad he got what he deserved. after that dog chapter I was 1000% done with him but all in all, the conversations around identity and family and parent/child dynamics was lovely
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Animal cruelty
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
Re-read : Feb ‘24 - I am not as enamored with this book as I was last year. There were some touching moments that reminded me of my own immigrant parents in addition to my relationship with my first generation American feelings vs my relationship with my parents. If this wasn’t so disjointed with the timeline - I think I would have been ok but the way Oliver feels about Tammy was not … sitting right with me. The ending still tore me apart.
I loved this book so much ! The late 90’s Chinese immigrant experience is told from two POV’s - the father Tony (which he rarely hear from) and his 9 year old daughter Tammy. Oliver is another POV who gets entangled with Tammy later on when she is older. But I was so attached to Tony & Tammy, the ending was quietly powerful.
I loved this book so much ! The late 90’s Chinese immigrant experience is told from two POV’s - the father Tony (which he rarely hear from) and his 9 year old daughter Tammy. Oliver is another POV who gets entangled with Tammy later on when she is older. But I was so attached to Tony & Tammy, the ending was quietly powerful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Death, Abandonment, and Sexual content
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