Reviews

Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li

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wrens's review against another edition

sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

There are so many characters you get to know in this book, and their complexities are well-captured but none of them are likable. This is not a necessity, but it makes it difficult to get invested in the book. You don't really care about the characters because all of them act selfishly and not in a compelling way

keen23's review against another edition

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3.0

Kind of fell apart at the end, just FYI. The story, not me.

njw13's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

_philly_'s review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

maxreads1720's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I enjoyed this book a lot! I liked how the author jumped perspectives of a few characters in the book to show how a seemingly hodgepodge group of people are all connected by this one restaurant. The things said and decisions made felt very human, and I liked how the author was able to make you feel so frustrated with these decisions but also make you feel like the decision made sense in the moment. I feel like this could be made into a limited series and/or movie. Good read!

daumari's review against another edition

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3.0

Will come back to edit this on computer, maybe, as I'm still processing this. Took longer than I thought to read, largely because I prioritize library books over ones I own. Also a reminder I don't read contemporary fiction that often.

Number One Chinese Restaurant is a family drama, ostensibly about Jimmy Han and his relationships with his brother and Mom, but the heart of the story I felt was between longtime server Nan, her son Pat, and her coworker Ah-Jack.

I guess I just still feel unsettled that nothing about Uncle Pang was resolved and he remains a murky black box.