Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim

4 reviews

bedtimesandbooks's review

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Racism

Minor: Alcohol

shutupiamreading's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

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

5.0

This was such a beautiful little book. I truly appreciated how the author wrote about mental illness/psychosis in a very kind and understanding way, emphasising that the mental illness does not define a person and their personality. It was heartbreaking to see the character go through what happened in this book but she did it with so much grace - I just loved it!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Racism, and Xenophobia

Minor: Child abuse

savannahtrice's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-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

4.0

I loved this book!! I went into it expecting a cheesy romance, and ended up with one of the best depictions of mental illness in a YA book I've read. The writing was a little corny at times because after all it is YA, but I thought it flowed really smoothly. Chim really makes you feel for these characters, and as someone who's mother struggles with mental illness, seeing that represented in this book was so comforting. Definitely recommend if you're looking for something easy to read but still important.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Animal death

Moderate: Xenophobia

beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, and Racial slurs

Minor: Dementia, Physical abuse, and Sexual content

The MC's mother

(whilst experiencing delusions) kills a fish by poking its eyes out

. Said mother also expresses

racist and ableist comments

towards others, due to her mental illness. The sixteen-year-old MC also enters into

a relationship and has several intimate scenes with a boy approximately three years older than her (about nineteen, although his age is never stated explicitly), making this a minor/adult relationship. This is a major plot point.