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javafenn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I spent several weeks thinking about what to say about this book and I still can’t find the words. The stories were good but they almost felt like they were void of any hope and only meant to exploit trauma. It felt as if it was something to shock but nothing more. Not all of it was like that but it felt like a lot of it was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Racism
lejam's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book had a mixture of questionable and great stories. It could be that I did not understand what the author was trying to portray in some of them, so I felt it was a little random? However, there were also a great handful that made me smile, reflect on my personal experiences with immigrant parents, or made me feel empty inside afterwards. I think this book is a decent introduction to short story collections. It’s an easy read and you will definitely find at least one you’ll want to come back to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying
sarah984's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The stories are very short vignettes featuring Lao refugees/immigrants living in Canada. Most of the characters are interesting and feel like real people but the stories don't really have a structure, they just depict a moment. Sometimes it felt like I was just getting to know a character and the story ended.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Minor: Cancer, Grief, Violence, and Pedophilia
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