Scan barcode
ilutzer's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
A beautifully written novel about the complicated structure of a family with themes of the pressures parents put on their children, how those stem from their own childhood wounds and desires, and themes of family trust, secrets, and belonging (or lack thereof). The characters are complex, to the point that they feel real and reading about the characters' past pain and their mistakes elicits feelings of frustration and empathy. Ng did an incredible job creating characters whose past experiences shaped who they became.
Moreover, Everything I Never Told You is a fantastic tribute to Chinese American families and non-stereotypical representation of half-White, half-Chinese children and the struggles they face in regard to growing up and to their ethnic identities and how the world perceives them. Though painful to read, the examples of xenophobia and racism (commonly described in the form of microaggressions and staring) are real, lived experiences of many people and an important part of the characters' stories and the reality of Asian Americans. Ng incorporated the history of James' parent's immigration experience in a way that was informative of a history that is not typically covered in US history classes.
This is a book that I see myself reading again and again.
Moreover, Everything I Never Told You is a fantastic tribute to Chinese American families and non-stereotypical representation of half-White, half-Chinese children and the struggles they face in regard to growing up and to their ethnic identities and how the world perceives them. Though painful to read, the examples of xenophobia and racism (commonly described in the form of microaggressions and staring) are real, lived experiences of many people and an important part of the characters' stories and the reality of Asian Americans. Ng incorporated the history of James' parent's immigration experience in a way that was informative of a history that is not typically covered in US history classes.
This is a book that I see myself reading again and again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Child death, and Racism
Moderate: Sexism and Xenophobia
Minor: Infidelity
taroroot's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
Celeste Ng does not disappoint. I read Little Fires Everywhere last year and i loved it. this book was so full of beautiful moments that gave insight into the minds of parents and children. each of the siblings had such a unique outlook in life and a well developed relationship with each other as well. i loved this book a lot <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Infidelity, and Child death
Moderate: Racism, Abandonment, and Racial slurs
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism
cutecooper's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Suicide, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism
yellow_library's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
A beautiful, skillful, and heartwrenching depiction of family and relationship dynamics, what happens when our desires are left unexpressed, the struggle between striving to be different and striving to be normal. The weight of inheriting your parents dreams.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Sexism and Racism
Minor: Child abuse
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I might like this one even more than Little Fires Everywhere. Similar to her second novel, Everything I Never Told You sees Ng dive deep into a work of character study, dissecting all the characters' histories, identities, motivations, fears, hope, and dreams and how these things create a complex, interconnected web of actions and reactions to others.
The Lee family members' struggles w/ the consequences of their race and gender--and sometimes the intersection of both--are sympathetic and frustrating. Ng has a startlingly receptive and accurate way of illustrating the subtleties of feelings and the unsaid, and their effects on one's life and, subsequently, relationship w/ others.
The Lee family members' struggles w/ the consequences of their race and gender--and sometimes the intersection of both--are sympathetic and frustrating. Ng has a startlingly receptive and accurate way of illustrating the subtleties of feelings and the unsaid, and their effects on one's life and, subsequently, relationship w/ others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Death and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual content
kwojtk's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
important but subtle messages about race, sexism and family and how u should talk to ur loved ones and tell them how u feel!!! beautiful character portrait, big fan of ng's writing style too
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Sexism and Racial slurs
Minor: Suicide
vera_cologne's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Suicide, Misogyny, Infidelity, Sexism, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia
erikalv97's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
I can’t hardly find the words to say how I felt about this book.
It’s well-written, and though I found it hard to like the story at the beginning, by the final chapters I couldn’t put the book down.
(Please, please, PLEASE check the cw, I didn’t and I feel shaken up)
It’s well-written, and though I found it hard to like the story at the beginning, by the final chapters I couldn’t put the book down.
(Please, please, PLEASE check the cw, I didn’t and I feel shaken up)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Alcohol, Child death, Death, Grief, and Infidelity
shannanigans92's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Grief, and Child death
Moderate: Racism and Suicide
Minor: Alcohol, Child abuse, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Vomit
marabdelmageed's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Celeste Ng is a truly amazing author -- I love her writing style, her method of storytelling, and simply put, her ideas. This was such a good book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Alcohol, Homophobia, and Suicide