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3.21 AVERAGE
3.21 AVERAGE
a searing portrait of the monstrosity of Silicon Valley and the people within it. But even as frustrating and flawed as the characters can be, Wang gives them nuance and dimensionality that makes this a compelling read. I read it in < 24 hours.
This book is Crazy Rich Asians for the Asian-American experience. It's a little shallow and takes itself a bit more seriously, but isn't that true of the Asian-American experience too? I felt like it spoke to me right from the start, but maybe that's because the focus on status and power meant being an Asian-American female at BCG, and... well... That's some relatable content right there. :)
It did drag on after a while though, and I found myself bored of the story very easily. But once again, it ended with a BANG. I really enjoyed the part a certain investigation began, and we started to see how these plot threads came together. I just wish each character's stories tied a bit more. The Godfather bit at the end? A character named Don? This book is meta in ways I didn't even realize or appreciate until it was over.
It did drag on after a while though, and I found myself bored of the story very easily. But once again, it ended with a BANG. I really enjoyed the part a certain investigation began, and we started to see how these plot threads came together. I just wish each character's stories tied a bit more. The Godfather bit at the end? A character named Don? This book is meta in ways I didn't even realize or appreciate until it was over.
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Death of parent
I would give this book 2.5 stars. The story is well-written and balanced however it is such a mundane slice of someone's life with no real sense of the purpose that Wang was attempting to provide. Though maybe I would feel differently if I read this in one shot rather than picking it up and putting it down.
Love Kathy Wang's writing style! Very quirky but surprisingly real. Bonus point for all the references to SF South Bay. It's not everyday you get to read about the lives of Asians in silicon valley.
This was great. At times funny, other times tragic, but always compelling.
If you’re a fan of books that examine the practicalities and reflective themes that are hand-in-hand at the end of life, this may be the book for you.
We follow Stanley as he is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, with the bulk of the narrative told in alternating perspectives between his son Fred, daughter Kate, and (my personal favorite!) ex-wife Linda. As Stanley has represented to his family that he has a fortune of sorts, much of the novel is consumed with discussions around material wealth and hence I totally see the comparisons being made to the Crazy Rich Asians series. While there are moments of hilarity and wit (particularly in Linda’s chapters) I found it lacking the pace to make this a really gripping story. The real star of this book for me was Linda - she is an empowered and well developed character, her reflections and approach to life amidst what is happening to her ex-husband were well written and I genuinely enjoyed my time reading her chapters.
A slower read, but one worth checking out if these are themes you enjoy exploring in literature.
Many thanks to William Morrow / TLC Book Tours for a review copy
We follow Stanley as he is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, with the bulk of the narrative told in alternating perspectives between his son Fred, daughter Kate, and (my personal favorite!) ex-wife Linda. As Stanley has represented to his family that he has a fortune of sorts, much of the novel is consumed with discussions around material wealth and hence I totally see the comparisons being made to the Crazy Rich Asians series. While there are moments of hilarity and wit (particularly in Linda’s chapters) I found it lacking the pace to make this a really gripping story. The real star of this book for me was Linda - she is an empowered and well developed character, her reflections and approach to life amidst what is happening to her ex-husband were well written and I genuinely enjoyed my time reading her chapters.
A slower read, but one worth checking out if these are themes you enjoy exploring in literature.
Many thanks to William Morrow / TLC Book Tours for a review copy
Family Trust was entertaining, I'll give it that. The characters were interesting, and I was able to understand their individual perspectives.
However, narratively, I didn't find this book the most compelling. For all that it seemed to be building up to a twist ending that none of the characters expected, as a reader I was disappointed to find that it was an outcome that had already been explored. I feel like the plot was a little clumsily constructed, and it could've been a much better book if everything had been a little bit... tidier.
I definitely enjoyed the political themes. Fred's story was satisfying to watch play out, although most of it was quite predictable. I liked Kate as a character, but I felt like there wasn't much coherency with the way that her arc was put together. The sudden switch to Mary's perspective was nice, too.
Overall, a decent but unimpressive book by my standards.
However, narratively, I didn't find this book the most compelling. For all that it seemed to be building up to a twist ending that none of the characters expected, as a reader I was disappointed to find that it was an outcome that had already been explored. I feel like the plot was a little clumsily constructed, and it could've been a much better book if everything had been a little bit... tidier.
I definitely enjoyed the political themes. Fred's story was satisfying to watch play out, although most of it was quite predictable. I liked Kate as a character, but I felt like there wasn't much coherency with the way that her arc was put together. The sudden switch to Mary's perspective was nice, too.
Overall, a decent but unimpressive book by my standards.
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Nest meets Sexy Rich Asians meets Dial A for Aunties.