Take a photo of a barcode or cover
cally_mac's review
5.0
These stories are so good and so confident they feel like small novels from a veteran writer. It’s hard to do long rhythmic winding sentences and keep the reader involved but she pretty much nailed it and had you hooked until 70 pages of short story had gone by and you hadn’t even really noticed. Only downside was the linked nature of the stories occasionally came off as forced.
nerdese's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
This was definitely an interesting read, and not exactly what I expected. These stories had a very distinctive voice -- it didn't surprise me that this was published by an imprint helmed by Lena Dunham. It has that wordy, millennial feel. Long rambling paragraphs of description, but it sort of worked for me? I stalled out a bit given the length of these stories. I know now that I tend to connect better with shorter stories (for example, last year's What It Means When A Man falls From The Sky.) But Zhang clearly has a confident voice, and I loved the cohesion, how all the stories had these intermingling threads of family struggle and the new immigrant experience. The stories were dirty, some were even a bit gross, but they all had some form of painful truth to them. I know this collection definitely won't be for everyone, but Zhang's is an exciting voice. I'd love to read a novel from her.
This was definitely an interesting read, and not exactly what I expected. These stories had a very distinctive voice -- it didn't surprise me that this was published by an imprint helmed by Lena Dunham. It has that wordy, millennial feel. Long rambling paragraphs of description, but it sort of worked for me? I stalled out a bit given the length of these stories. I know now that I tend to connect better with shorter stories (for example, last year's What It Means When A Man falls From The Sky.) But Zhang clearly has a confident voice, and I loved the cohesion, how all the stories had these intermingling threads of family struggle and the new immigrant experience. The stories were dirty, some were even a bit gross, but they all had some form of painful truth to them. I know this collection definitely won't be for everyone, but Zhang's is an exciting voice. I'd love to read a novel from her.
mellowbeing's review against another edition
2.0
I feel so torn about “Sour Heart” by Jenny Zhang.
On the one hand, I’m enjoying all the references to growing up in NYC and the immigrant experience.
On the other hand, what the hell is up with some of these scenes?! I don’t get why they’re included... shock factor?
On the one hand, I’m enjoying all the references to growing up in NYC and the immigrant experience.
On the other hand, what the hell is up with some of these scenes?! I don’t get why they’re included... shock factor?
ashley729's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
Wow, I must say II am relieved these stories are fiction, the front cover flap had me a bit confused and some of the stories were rather cruel at times. A collection of stories told from the daughters of Chinese immigrants in New York. While each story was its own there was some Easter eggs with characters who popped up again. A common thread woven through all the stories was family, how different relationships look, and the sacrifices immigrant parents make so their children have a chance at a better life. It also explores the pressure put on immigrant children who end up carrying the burden of making the journey worth it for their parents who did not get the chance to explore the opportunities that exist in the US. The stories can be a lot — there is cruelty, bitterness, and sour hearts throughout. Each essay wraps itself up so this is a good book to come back to as there are clear places you can stop reading/process!
Wow, I must say II am relieved these stories are fiction, the front cover flap had me a bit confused and some of the stories were rather cruel at times. A collection of stories told from the daughters of Chinese immigrants in New York. While each story was its own there was some Easter eggs with characters who popped up again. A common thread woven through all the stories was family, how different relationships look, and the sacrifices immigrant parents make so their children have a chance at a better life. It also explores the pressure put on immigrant children who end up carrying the burden of making the journey worth it for their parents who did not get the chance to explore the opportunities that exist in the US. The stories can be a lot — there is cruelty, bitterness, and sour hearts throughout. Each essay wraps itself up so this is a good book to come back to as there are clear places you can stop reading/process!
crossroadsofdestiny1104's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mazloum's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting collection of stories told from the point of view of young Chinese women who'd moved with their families to the US. I felt like this book was a little tough to get through, as the writing was exceedingly dense at times - though not due to information density, but rather...feeling too much? I definitely got the feeling that the author was speaking from a place that had immense value to her, but there were times when I asked myself 'why am I reading these details? They're not in service to anything in particular.'
The final story however, resonated with me; an examination of how feelings towards family change rapidly over the span of a decade or so. It doesn't fully absolve the relative dullness of some parts, but it reveals the heart within the book, making it much easier to stomach.
The final story however, resonated with me; an examination of how feelings towards family change rapidly over the span of a decade or so. It doesn't fully absolve the relative dullness of some parts, but it reveals the heart within the book, making it much easier to stomach.
jschofer's review against another edition
4.0
I only read this because some friends were participating in the Colgate Living Writers series and this was the first book. I don't know that I particularly loved this book, but I do know that I love having read it - not sure if that makes sense.
rmosseau's review against another edition
2.0
70% of this should’ve stayed an inside thought. the other 30% was disturbing & fascinating
a few stories were so well written & stunning that i wished i could’ve read from their perspective more. the overall theme of these short stories were gripping and truly mesmerizing. they are stories that need to be told.
unfortunately i don’t do well with violence & the stories couldn’t pull me in enough to outweigh the disturbance in some of these stories.
i did love how they all weaved together
a few stories were so well written & stunning that i wished i could’ve read from their perspective more. the overall theme of these short stories were gripping and truly mesmerizing. they are stories that need to be told.
unfortunately i don’t do well with violence & the stories couldn’t pull me in enough to outweigh the disturbance in some of these stories.
i did love how they all weaved together