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maris0994's review
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookwoom's review
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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
4.0
aja_jay's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tessyoung's review
3.0
This was an enjoyable listen, light, amusing with an interesting main character who wasn't immediately likeable, and appealed to me all the more for this. There are some real ouch moments when she takes out her own hurt on others.
The plot of being torn between parents exceptions and the competition between 'East" and 'West', seemed a little run of the mill although it as explored quietly nicely through the juxtaposition of Gretchen's experience with that of her mother.
The reflections on cultural differences between Singapore and US were interesting, as were the wider insights into the history of Singapore, although there could have been more of that in my view. The time when the writing really comes alive however is in the descriptions of food, the tastes and flavours of which came really alive.
The plot of being torn between parents exceptions and the competition between 'East" and 'West', seemed a little run of the mill although it as explored quietly nicely through the juxtaposition of Gretchen's experience with that of her mother.
The reflections on cultural differences between Singapore and US were interesting, as were the wider insights into the history of Singapore, although there could have been more of that in my view. The time when the writing really comes alive however is in the descriptions of food, the tastes and flavours of which came really alive.
peaseloise's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
erinsreadinglist's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
lauraxbakker's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
This is not what I usually read, but I really liked it anyway. It was a very nice read and I read it in two sittings. I also think this is the first book I have ever read set in Asia and is written around an Asian main character. I really enjoyed it, and I do want to jump in some other Asian (womens) fiction
This is not what I usually read, but I really liked it anyway. It was a very nice read and I read it in two sittings. I also think this is the first book I have ever read set in Asia and is written around an Asian main character. I really enjoyed it, and I do want to jump in some other Asian (womens) fiction
jacki_f's review against another edition
4.0
Gretchen is the daughter of a artisanal soy sauce "empire". Her grandfather founded the company, where her father, uncle and cousin all work. Gretchen left Singapore some tens years ago and has been living in San Francisco, pursuing a career in music. When her marriage breaks up, she returns to Singapore, intending to spend the summer working at the family business before returning to the US to continue her studies. Being in Singapore will force her to face up to family issues that she has been in denial about as well as giving her fresh perspective on her marriage and her chosen career.
There are a lot of things that I really liked about this book. I loved the Singapore setting - I was in the city not so long ago and really enjoyed revisiting it. I also found the information about artisanal soy sauce genuinely fascinating. Initially my impression was that the writing was kind of amateurish. Uneven pacing, lots of telling us how people feel, stereotypical characters (yes, I'm talking to you Cal). However as I read on, I found myself increasingly caught up in Gretchen's story and thinking about it when I wasn't reading the book. I also liked the way that the story kept taking little twists that I didn't see coming - everytime I thought something was going to be very predictable, I was wrong.
Gretchen's personality is somewhat annoying. I felt like shaking her sometimes and saying "grow up! You're thirty!" But the more I think about it, the more that's a sign that the author had delivered a real, nuanced person to me. So despite its flaws - or maybe because of them - I did enjoy this book.
There are a lot of things that I really liked about this book. I loved the Singapore setting - I was in the city not so long ago and really enjoyed revisiting it. I also found the information about artisanal soy sauce genuinely fascinating. Initially my impression was that the writing was kind of amateurish. Uneven pacing, lots of telling us how people feel, stereotypical characters (yes, I'm talking to you Cal). However as I read on, I found myself increasingly caught up in Gretchen's story and thinking about it when I wasn't reading the book. I also liked the way that the story kept taking little twists that I didn't see coming - everytime I thought something was going to be very predictable, I was wrong.
Gretchen's personality is somewhat annoying. I felt like shaking her sometimes and saying "grow up! You're thirty!" But the more I think about it, the more that's a sign that the author had delivered a real, nuanced person to me. So despite its flaws - or maybe because of them - I did enjoy this book.