Reviews

It was a compelling and enjoyable read, but I didn't feel like I deeply connected to the characters in a way that I'll be raving about this book to everyone I know. I did find the insight into the stressors on women in the 1960s-1970s really interesting; the cookbook scene was, to me, the thing that will stick with me.

juliarziegler's review against another edition

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4.0

At times, you want to hit every character in this book, besides maybe Hannah. And also, at times, you want to hug every character. The portrayal of relationships is what stood out to me about this book (mother/daughter, sibling, husband/wife). Ng is absurdly good at depicting familial tension, ESPECIALLY, in a mixed race family. As the child of a white mom and Asian dad, like the main character Lydia, I found myself relating to a lot of the tropes. The one thing I didn’t find so great was the dialogue. Everything about the story seemed so real until dialogue came along…and then I was pulled out of the story. Just didn’t feel very realistic.

krisl9's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

megancortez's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Amazing. Absolutely amazing. A literary masterpiece of the modern era. A harrowing story about a cataclysm of grief and tragedy, and the quiet resilience that precipitates at the bottom of heartbreak.

Content Warnings

torimontee's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

3.0

osamatheauthor's review against another edition

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4.0

4.1/5

Perhaps, I found a solid base to ask the following questions after reading this novel.
1. What happens when kids are bound to follow their parents’ incomplete dreams?
2. What if children were taught how to express what they actually feel?
3. Is negligence a tumor?
4. Are decisions meant to be taken by being sentimental?
5. What if affection does not allow you room to bloom?
6. Is true love really unconditional?

sadah's review against another edition

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4.0

This book is a lyrical portrait of a crumbling family. Ng captures the interior lives and dynamics of her subjects with an aching precision. It felt as if every character were an island upon themselves, masking their inner worlds with perfectly crafted facades. An unhappy mother living vicariously through her burdened daughter. A father, teeming with internalized racism and shame. Overshadowed children caught in the crossfire.

It took a tragedy to bring it all to light. I liked that this book almost reads as a fable, warning the costs of pursuing perfection and the risks of leaving things unsaid. *4 stars

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