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baghaii's review
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death of parent, Racism, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity
annreadsabook's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
2.5
This is an interesting read that deals with anti-Blackness in Asian American (specifically Korean American) communities, focusing on a conflict based heavily on the murder of Latasha Harlins in the 90s. It reads more like a crime thriller since there's an element of mystery to it, but it also explores very real racial tensions.
First, I want to say that I appreciate Cha's decision to broach an important topic that unfortunately is not discussed in literature very frequently, but which has shaped interracial (Black/Asian American) solidarity and relations for decades. I would love to see more books, and fiction specifically, explore this issue. I appreciated that Cha considers the ways in which Asian American communities, which themselves have experienced devastating racism and racial violence, can perpetuate anti-Blackness because white supremacy pits us all against each other. It's an incredibly important conversation to have, and it's not an easy one.
With that being said, I felt that this book was a bit shallow in its engagement with the issues. The writing is a tad on the nose, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, since everyone needs a starting point from which they begin thinking about these issues. But I did feel like Cha was writing for an audience with a very low-level understanding of these issues. And for me, the ending wasn't all that satisfying--Grace has gone through the bare minimum amount of personal development and exploration (going from defending someone who straight up murdered a Black child to thinking that it probably wasn't okay), but Shawn and his family are shown as defending and even forgiving her at the end, suggesting a neat resolution.
Moreover, I felt uncomfortable with Cha having her Black characters refer to themselves and others as "Negroes" even in jest...was that necessary? This felt like an end-run around using the N-word outright but still give the impression of "authenticity" despite not being a member of Black communities. I was additionally a bit irked by the fact that Shawn's Black family was so mired in "criminal" activity and incarceration--every other member of the family was either in prison/jail, previously incarcerated, or embroiled in gang activity. It's true that Black folks are more likely to be incarcerated and impacted by policing, but when the primary audience of this book is Asian American folks, I feel some discomfort in this depiction. I seriously question whether this is simply further entrenching stereotypes.
Another thing that aggravated me was Cha's choice to have Shawn's nephew be the killer. It seemed a bit lazy and random given that Shawn's nephew had little to no concrete motivation since he never personally knew his aunt and Shawn's nephew barely even figured in the story at all until it was revealed that he killed Grace's mother.
Cha is getting at some really important interracial dynamics, and sadly this topic isn't discussed nearly as much as it should be in literature, but I think much more care needs to be taken. I'm generally not a fan of dual-author books, but given how complex and thorny this issue is, I think two authors would be really helpful here to ensure that Black and Asian American voices are accurately and carefully reflected.
First, I want to say that I appreciate Cha's decision to broach an important topic that unfortunately is not discussed in literature very frequently, but which has shaped interracial (Black/Asian American) solidarity and relations for decades. I would love to see more books, and fiction specifically, explore this issue. I appreciated that Cha considers the ways in which Asian American communities, which themselves have experienced devastating racism and racial violence, can perpetuate anti-Blackness because white supremacy pits us all against each other. It's an incredibly important conversation to have, and it's not an easy one.
With that being said, I felt that this book was a bit shallow in its engagement with the issues. The writing is a tad on the nose, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, since everyone needs a starting point from which they begin thinking about these issues. But I did feel like Cha was writing for an audience with a very low-level understanding of these issues. And for me, the ending wasn't all that satisfying--Grace has gone through the bare minimum amount of personal development and exploration (going from defending someone who straight up murdered a Black child to thinking that it probably wasn't okay), but Shawn and his family are shown as defending and even forgiving her at the end, suggesting a neat resolution.
Moreover, I felt uncomfortable with Cha having her Black characters refer to themselves and others as "Negroes" even in jest...was that necessary? This felt like an end-run around using the N-word outright but still give the impression of "authenticity" despite not being a member of Black communities. I was additionally a bit irked by the fact that Shawn's Black family was so mired in "criminal" activity and incarceration--every other member of the family was either in prison/jail, previously incarcerated, or embroiled in gang activity. It's true that Black folks are more likely to be incarcerated and impacted by policing, but when the primary audience of this book is Asian American folks, I feel some discomfort in this depiction. I seriously question whether this is simply further entrenching stereotypes.
Another thing that aggravated me was
Cha is getting at some really important interracial dynamics, and sadly this topic isn't discussed nearly as much as it should be in literature, but I think much more care needs to be taken. I'm generally not a fan of dual-author books, but given how complex and thorny this issue is, I think two authors would be really helpful here to ensure that Black and Asian American voices are accurately and carefully reflected.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Xenophobia, Child death, and Death of parent
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
your house will pay is a tense novel that delves into racism and the loaded history of the LA riots. what i admire most abt this book is how cha charts the charged, weighted, complex emotions of her characters, the tangled emotional webs on both sides: a black man perpetually on edge + the loaded legacy of his family's victimhood, and a daughter grappling w/ the sudden knowledge of her murderess mother. it's all very layered and complex, yet cha depicts it all masterfully, straddling the grey area not only by writing in two distinct narrative voices but also making the reader empathize and understanding of most of the characters' plight in spite of their dislike.
another thing i enjoy is reading abt the characters' thought processes, particularly shawn. he's been thru more than most, and seeing him realize that playing by the rules is a losing game - but having to do it anyway - is a just condemnation of the rigged and racist establishment and system occupied w/ keeping their power. and while the personal fully illustrates the systemic problem, the story also explores larger systemic issues as well, showing the reader the complexity of it all. i also think cha does a very good job of establishing a sense of place in both the 90s and present day, depicting a los angeles thats alive in both its grit and humdrum.
overall, this is a somber book realistic in its depiction of the setting and systemic issues, and one fascinating for its character study.
another thing i enjoy is reading abt the characters' thought processes, particularly shawn. he's been thru more than most, and seeing him realize that playing by the rules is a losing game - but having to do it anyway - is a just condemnation of the rigged and racist establishment and system occupied w/ keeping their power. and while the personal fully illustrates the systemic problem, the story also explores larger systemic issues as well, showing the reader the complexity of it all. i also think cha does a very good job of establishing a sense of place in both the 90s and present day, depicting a los angeles thats alive in both its grit and humdrum.
overall, this is a somber book realistic in its depiction of the setting and systemic issues, and one fascinating for its character study.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Racial slurs, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Murder, Child death, Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Minor: Medical content, Stalking, and Infidelity
miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
Really interesting choice of narratives, made you feel torn between but not at all torn
‘How devastating to return from the verge of death and be disappointed.’
‘How devastating to return from the verge of death and be disappointed.’
‘But he couldn't stomach it anymore. Not since he was a child, getting his head rubbed by every kindhearted motherfucker who warmed his soul from a safe distance at the bonfire of Shawn's
tragedy. He was forever a black child who'd been publicly wronged, and so he was an altar for the well-meaning pilgrims, who wanted his grace in exchange for their patronage. At least Ava got to die before they made a production out of the great tragedy of her life.’
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Alcohol, Gun violence, Death, Racism, Grief, Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Hate crime, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Violence
gaycornbread420's review
challenging
emotional
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
4.5
Really disappointed by the ending, but before that I thought it was great
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Police brutality, Racism, Death, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Death of parent
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Police brutality, Car accident, and Death of parent
kutub_qahwa's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow, what a book! Such an emotional journey, parts of it were so hard to read, and parts that I sped through. The author does an amazing job capturing such different lives and perspectives. There are so many feelings this book bring out. 10/10 recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Cursing, Car accident, Xenophobia, Violence, Racial slurs, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, Medical content, Gun violence, Grief, Child death, and Murder
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Animal death and Animal cruelty
internationalreads's review
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Police brutality, Racism, Violence, and Xenophobia
ajlct's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Hate crime, Murder, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
claudia_bow's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Gore
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
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