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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
ghostnaps's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I wanted to love this more than I did but it unfortunately didn’t have the substance I wanted it to. My biggest gripe is that I did not at all enjoy the relationship between Oliver and Tammy. I’m not sure why it was added when we simply could’ve left it at him being a family friend? Oliver’s character also wasn’t explored well enough for me to see him as anything but a groomer from the second he meets Tammy… The detail in which Luo explores the Asian-American experience between two different generations is well done. Out of all the POVs, I enjoyed Tony’s the most. Tammy’s characterization always seemed in relation to men in her life whether Tony, Oliver, or Vince. Not to say we aren’t influenced by loved ones but it feels like the women in the story are only explored in the sense of their dynamic with men.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find myself attached to the characters and there was no driving element to the story to sustain interest as they go about their own lives. However, I recognize some people may enjoy the book more for how it approaches the American dream and what it means to people of different backgrounds.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find myself attached to the characters and there was no driving element to the story to sustain interest as they go about their own lives. However, I recognize some people may enjoy the book more for how it approaches the American dream and what it means to people of different backgrounds.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Pedophilia
Minor: Drug use and Xenophobia
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