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forrestalexander's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Hate crime, Violence, and Death
chalkletters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Despite the confusion about what was happening, Interior Chinatown managed to maintain interest. The reflections on living as an Asian-American weren’t subject to the same uncertainly as the action of the plot; the descriptions of living in the SRO above the Golden Palace restaurant (or the film set of the restaurant…) were particularly memorable.
The romance was sweet, though the rapid jumps in timeline meant it didn’t have as deep an emotional impact as it might otherwise have done. The biggest problem with Interior Chinatown was that it set the scene at one pace but then sped through the rest of the story so much faster that it felt disjointed.
It was a surprise to find Interior Chinatown listed as a comedy; the comedic tone didn’t come through, though that may be because Charles Yu was parodying a specifically American experience. The section which was supposed to be a children’s show was particularly surreal, so that may have been funny to people who found comedy in Geek Love.
Overall, Interior Chinatown probably merits a second read at some point in the future.
Minor: Death of parent, Death, and Racial slurs
salon3ly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Racism
cinnamonandpancakes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book doesn't hold its punches, or refrain from sliding a stiletto between your ribs, but it's so well done that you can't help admiring the skill involved.
Graphic: Murder, Racism, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, Classism, Racial slurs, Hate crime, and Violence
Part of the book deals with the early Kuomintang era of Taiwan and the violence that took place then. There is also significant reference to the particular ways the US has tried to exclude Asians from immigrating or becoming citizens.thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
its comedy is rooted in its easily recognized dark truth. i also like how yu delves into not only the historical aspect of said marginalization and discrimination, but also the issue's complexity - and conplex relationship - in relation to anti-black racism, though the book's structure does make my head spin at times.
this novel indeed - to paraphrase its main character - says all the shit that asians never say, didnt even know how to say.
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, and Gun violence
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Slavery, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation
coe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Violence
galexy_brain's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Hate crime, Death, Death of parent, and Racial slurs
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Classism, Xenophobia, Alcoholism, Colonisation, Pregnancy, Chronic illness, Cursing, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
linguini18's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
unboxedjack's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Minor: Racism, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia
rain_bellin's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs