Reviews with content warning for Cursing - Crying in H Mart

I find it hard to review this book because it’s so deeply raw and personal, and reminiscent of the many cathartic writing exercises I’ve done myself.

I will say this, many aspects of the book resonated with my own experience, such as growing up in between two (or in my case, three) cultures, food being an integral part your culture and identity, and the fear that you will lose all ties and claim to your parent’s culture when they pass.

Also, don’t read/listen to this when you’re hungry.

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boba_nbooks's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

A beautiful memoir documenting a young woman’s journey of grief as she slowly loses her mother to cancer. I loved learning about the Korean traditions, and it was interesting to hear the author talk about how she battled between her Korean and American identities. Well-written and gut-wrenching, this memoir truly pulled me in and didn’t let go.

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stephanieridiculous's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.0

Whew, what an emotional book!

A lovely exploration of identity, family, culture, and grief. While this book is heavy I didn't find it emotionally taxing. It's uplifting in the midst of it's weight, and Zauner is an exceptional story teller.

Aside from the primary topic of the book, parental death by cancer (which can get fairly graphic, but in a respectful way), the content warnings are somewhat mild. One very brief reference to past rape, references to drug/alcohol abuse, DV, occasional swear words, and this is the weirdest: there is one part where she compares something she's cooking to the consistency of male bodily fluids. Two references within a page of each other, so over quickly - but I won't be able to not think about that if I ever eat that food! I did put emotional abuse as a graphic content warning, but I suspect that's very cultural. The way Zauner explains her mother treated her would definitely classify as emotional abuse where I live, but I understand that's very different around the globe.

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alyx's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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kingwow's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

easily the saddest book I've read in a while. However, its so inspiring in how she reconnects to her korean roots and that connection she has with her mother. Brutally honest.

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