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sarahspencerknits's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
jamiedwight's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
rkaur's review
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
hannahlewis803's review
I really don’t know how to rate this book. The writing style had me intrigued from the beginning. It started off strong but had some things in the story that made me raise an eyebrow. Then it completely lost me around the 85% mark.
tatianasv's review
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-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
2.75
thaiteconta's review
5.0
this book tell such a beautiful and gripping story of how the "american dream" ideia is broke and twisted, through the pov of a immigrant chinese father and his half american daughter. He only want her to succeed and thinks that for that, she had to present herself white. And she knows she never will be white, she'll never fit in with white people. Nonetheless, you can see the hurt and love among each other. This book wont make you cry on every page, but will make you hurt - sometimes laugh.
xtinaroni's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
biaslib's review
3.0
I picked up this book from BOTM not expecting much from it. Initially, I presumed it would feature different stories from various individuals, only to discover that it revolves around a singular story told through three distinct perspectives. While I found the concept intriguing, I didn't like it as much as I hoped I would.
The narrative centers on a Chinese immigrant family, which immediately caught my interest and drew me in. It explores themes of identity, belonging, and the immigrant experience, and each perspective offers a unique insight into the characters' backgrounds and struggles. However, as I got into it, I realized it didn't quite hit the mark for me. Still, I did enjoy reading it to some extent.
Overall, it was an okay read. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but it provided some insight into the immigrant experience, which was cool. It was a nice break from heavier books I've been reading lately, so it served its purpose in that regard. If you're in need of a light read between more intense ones, it might be worth checking out.
The narrative centers on a Chinese immigrant family, which immediately caught my interest and drew me in. It explores themes of identity, belonging, and the immigrant experience, and each perspective offers a unique insight into the characters' backgrounds and struggles. However, as I got into it, I realized it didn't quite hit the mark for me. Still, I did enjoy reading it to some extent.
Overall, it was an okay read. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but it provided some insight into the immigrant experience, which was cool. It was a nice break from heavier books I've been reading lately, so it served its purpose in that regard. If you're in need of a light read between more intense ones, it might be worth checking out.
memydogandbooks's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A powerful debut!
[AD: Thanks to VERVEBooks for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review]
SYNOPSIS:
"An unexpected act of violence brings together a Chinese-American family and a wealthy white lawyer in this propulsive and sweeping story of family, identity and the American experience.
Taut, panoramic and powerful, debut novelist Susie Luo's Paper Names is an unforgettable story about the long shadows of our parents, the ripple effect of our decisions and the ways in which our love transcends difference."
MY THOUGHTS:
- I'm impressed this book is a debut, it's a poignant story about being a Chinese immigrant to America, identity, family, love, the American dream and more.
- This is not a "stereotypical" immigration story (whatever that is) but is a very character driven, contemplative story about three very different characters and their connections.
- I loved reading about all three main characters - Tony, Tammy (Chinese father and daughter) and Oliver (very priveledge white American).
- At less than 300 pages this story still manages to pack a punch about class, privlege, multi-generational immigrant families, race, all across multiple POVs and non linear timelines.
- Eqloquently written with a utterly absorbing main characters that you become invested in.
- Emotional and evocative story that I feel will stay with me for a good while after reading.
[AD: Thanks to VERVEBooks for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review]
SYNOPSIS:
"An unexpected act of violence brings together a Chinese-American family and a wealthy white lawyer in this propulsive and sweeping story of family, identity and the American experience.
Taut, panoramic and powerful, debut novelist Susie Luo's Paper Names is an unforgettable story about the long shadows of our parents, the ripple effect of our decisions and the ways in which our love transcends difference."
MY THOUGHTS:
- I'm impressed this book is a debut, it's a poignant story about being a Chinese immigrant to America, identity, family, love, the American dream and more.
- This is not a "stereotypical" immigration story (whatever that is) but is a very character driven, contemplative story about three very different characters and their connections.
- I loved reading about all three main characters - Tony, Tammy (Chinese father and daughter) and Oliver (very priveledge white American).
- At less than 300 pages this story still manages to pack a punch about class, privlege, multi-generational immigrant families, race, all across multiple POVs and non linear timelines.
- Eqloquently written with a utterly absorbing main characters that you become invested in.
- Emotional and evocative story that I feel will stay with me for a good while after reading.
missywhidden's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0