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raekit's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fascinating read. Truong has great skill in the way she reveals things deep into the novel that completely change everything you thought you knew about the world she created. It's such a surprising read in that way: you'll think you have a handle on things and deftly she upends what you think you know.
This is a novel about family and how we love each other and also fail each other. It is well-worth-it read but certainly not a light one.
This is a novel about family and how we love each other and also fail each other. It is well-worth-it read but certainly not a light one.
bethvf's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book and hated to see it end. I think I could easily read it again right away and I'm sure there would be many nuances I missed the first time. I'm not from the South, not Asian and do not have Sythenesia but nonetheless, I totally related to the protagonist. As other reviews have said, I was reminded of "To Kill a Mockingbird" in many ways and not just from the repeated references to it within the text.
mmmaaaccc's review against another edition
fast-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
3.25
ninetalevixen's review against another edition
4.0
at least 4 stars, maybe as high as 4.5 or 5 stars?
I definitely want to reread this in a print/ebook format, since it's not completely suited to an audiobook: it's kind of hard to keep track of what's going on when the dialogue alternates with what Linda tastes for each word (not the fault of author or narrator; it's an inherent issue of the format), and I honestly can't tell whether I find the philosophizing profound or tedious.
Still, I really enjoyed the rep (Vietnamese-American transracial adoptee, synthesthete), the nonlinear storytelling that created intrigue and set up reveals without feeling melodramatic, and the recurring allusions to figures of mythology/legend. And for what it's worth, it's definitely promising that I already want to read this again!
I definitely want to reread this in a print/ebook format, since it's not completely suited to an audiobook: it's kind of hard to keep track of what's going on when the dialogue alternates with what Linda tastes for each word (not the fault of author or narrator; it's an inherent issue of the format), and I honestly can't tell whether I find the philosophizing profound or tedious.
Still, I really enjoyed the rep (Vietnamese-American transracial adoptee, synthesthete), the nonlinear storytelling that created intrigue and set up reveals without feeling melodramatic, and the recurring allusions to figures of mythology/legend. And for what it's worth, it's definitely promising that I already want to read this again!
elibrooke's review against another edition
5.0
this one broke me wide open - hard-won truths beautifully told on the narrator's own terms.
what a voice.
what a voice.
ruinedmap's review against another edition
3.0
This is a book that is easy to fall into. The setting, characters have a familiar lilt to it, reminiscent of Southern classics like To Kill A Mockingbird. The main character's synesthesia allows for some interestingly poetic interpretations of classic scenes (boy meets girl scenes, especially). Others have mentioned that the book is a little self-conscious. I think it started out more charming and engaging than self-conscious, but toward the middle some of the "Southern" story characterizations, tropes, plot started to become a little more obvious and tiresome. The sense of imaginative-ness and quirkiness kind of dissolved as the plot moved along. The main character grew into one of those all-black wearing loner intellectual types. I'm still into reading it though. I like what she's attempting to do (the big reveal, which was spoiled for me in some of the reviews/interviews I listened to), and her writing is easy on the ears.
Just finished. I felt like the story was going through the motions in the second half. Everything seemed too on the nose and pat toward the end. I really wanted to like this book, because there are lots of smart and observant moments in the book. Maybe the smart and observant qualities would have been more fitting in an essay, not necessarily in a family drama. Maybe there was just too much there in the service of making a point.
I think the appeal of this book is similar to that of a genre novel. You sort of have to enjoy inhabiting the world of this book (family drama/dysfunction) and its conventions (how it goes about detailing the South, resolving or coming to terms with family drama/dysfunction) to be able to forgive some of the predictable moves the writer makes.
But it was worth reading. The intentions behind the book were original... I think. Just sometimes not the execution, which seemed a little clinical at times (you can almost see the cliff notes that might go along with the story).
I actually loved the "distractions" in the book. The historical vignettes especially, about Virginia Dare, the Wright Brothers, George Moses Horton. The writer's voice shines in these asides (but kind of irritatingly gets ruined, because you realize it sometimes serves to bring home certain points the author wants to make a little too obviously).
Just finished. I felt like the story was going through the motions in the second half. Everything seemed too on the nose and pat toward the end. I really wanted to like this book, because there are lots of smart and observant moments in the book. Maybe the smart and observant qualities would have been more fitting in an essay, not necessarily in a family drama. Maybe there was just too much there in the service of making a point.
I think the appeal of this book is similar to that of a genre novel. You sort of have to enjoy inhabiting the world of this book (family drama/dysfunction) and its conventions (how it goes about detailing the South, resolving or coming to terms with family drama/dysfunction) to be able to forgive some of the predictable moves the writer makes.
But it was worth reading. The intentions behind the book were original... I think. Just sometimes not the execution, which seemed a little clinical at times (you can almost see the cliff notes that might go along with the story).
I actually loved the "distractions" in the book. The historical vignettes especially, about Virginia Dare, the Wright Brothers, George Moses Horton. The writer's voice shines in these asides (but kind of irritatingly gets ruined, because you realize it sometimes serves to bring home certain points the author wants to make a little too obviously).
emileespence's review against another edition
5.0
wow. I am not someone to “wow” at the end of a book, but the tenderness I felt in the last few pages of this novel was nothing short of overwhelming. The story brings you in and holds you close and even for those not focusing on Southern literature, this is a highly recommended read. It starts out slow, as most do, but by the middle of the book you feel such a kindredness with the narrator in a way that keeps you up at night.
femme4fleurs's review against another edition
3.0
I loved a lot about this book, but as many other reviewers have noted, the ending was oddly rushed.
jiujensu's review against another edition
4.0
I had heard it was at least somewhat autobiographical and was starting to think I was wrong until about the middle where she begins talking about her Vietnamese heritage. That annoyed me at first, but after sleeping on it I think it was kind of brilliant. It also probably reflects her opinion on the different things that have shaped her life which I also thought was a great way to express herself. Being shy myself, I connected with the relief and loathing of invisibility, among other of the preteen and teen issues.
I do want to learn more about the author and find out how strictly autobiographical or not this was. It would be interesting.
I do want to learn more about the author and find out how strictly autobiographical or not this was. It would be interesting.
literaryliz98's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting read about a girl with synesthesia which causes her to taste something depending on the word she hears. I found it to be mostly strange, with some sad parts. Not sure I'd recommend or not.