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ophelie_zl's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Rape
spookyfaith's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
4.0
This book was so good I could forgive her use of “lol” and other text slang.
I really appreciated her honesty and willingness to own up to her mistakes as well as correct them. She doesn’t shy away from discomfort and isn’t afraid to point out where she has made mistakes.
Her writing is both beautiful and funny; a very memorable combination.
I really appreciated her honesty and willingness to own up to her mistakes as well as correct them. She doesn’t shy away from discomfort and isn’t afraid to point out where she has made mistakes.
Her writing is both beautiful and funny; a very memorable combination.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Hate crime, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Rape
drgnhrt968's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Suicide attempt
julmariaa's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I enjoyed listening to Wu’s (on Audible) emotional yet at times comedic reflection on her childhood, complicated familial and romantic relationships, parent’s immigration and marriage story, the hustle it takes to be an Asian woman in Hollywood, examining Asian tropes such as the “tiger mom,” and more. She retells her past examining her feelings of guilt, shame and trauma.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Rape
hello_lovely13's review
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
I thought this was an easy and entertaining read. Of course, some triggering topics are discussed, but there is a consistent tone throughout the essays that gives the impression of one author. My favorite essays were “Welcome to Jurassic Park”, “Making a Scene”, and “You Do What I Say”. A lot of the essays were entertaining to read, but I often wondered why some of them were included; they either didn’t have a clear point they were trying to make or would end preemptively (the essay “Little Cassandra” is a good example of the latter because it ends just as it starts a conversation about privileges some have with opportunities while others have to work so much harder to reach the starting point others begin at). The structure of the book didn’t make much sense, but the latter half of the book was much stronger than the former because those essays had more intention in their creation rather than just random stories (which I enjoyed reading about, but it seemed a bit random and I prefer a bit more reflection and statement of purpose or lesson in an essay format). Overall, a good read, but nothing that stands out. I did enjoy hearing her opinions about representation and what others want to hear versus reality, as well as how shame fits into those narratives. This was quite honest, as she is very forthcoming with her regrets, mistakes, and flaws, and I often found these flaws relatable as well as her path to bettering herself. This isn’t a must-read to me, but I enjoyed the experience of reading it all the same.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Rape
Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Sexism
readingtofeedthesoul's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
3.0
Autobiography, inspiring story of a women in the creative industry
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Rape
sthurma22's review
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
I’ve always enjoyed Constance Wu’s performances and was appalled to hear about her attempt following social media backlash. It was nice to have a more rounded picture of who she is outside of social media and television/movies. I will say, the overall story telling was hard for me to stay engaged with which is why it’s a 3 star read for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Rape
thatbookbinch's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Fatphobia
mattyvreads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Incredible. Another one of my favorite books that I read this year. Wu is an artist with her words. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, always true.
The book is a page-turner. When I picked it up, I thought that it was going to be a story about fame and sex and scandal and stardom. It was all of that, but so much more. Much of the memoir focuses on her growing up, becoming who she is today. The lessons that she learned and the people that she loved.
There are heartbreaking and emotional moments, as Wu courageously recounts and explores her traumas, but the book is also filled with hope and love. It is like a biting shot of liquor followed by a warm hug.
One of the bravest and noblest aspects of the book, and what makes it so successful for me, is that she presents such a seemingly fair account of events. She is the first to admit when she’s made mistakes in her life. She reflects on those “bad” decisions: people that she hurt and actions that she regrets, in a way that challenges them and how they helped her to grow. In that way, she illustrates in an unpretentious way, how we can be better people, too. As if to say, “I made this decision so you don’t have to.”
But moreover, she defends some of her past decisions and sheds new light on those situations in an extremely meaningful and empowering way. It was fascinating to read about her experience on “Fresh Off the Boat”. It was a show that was important and meaningful to many, but which had such a negative association for Wu due to her adverse experience on set with abusive and manipulative producers. So insightful.
I am excited to read this book again. It is one of my favorite memoirs I’ve ever read.
The book is a page-turner. When I picked it up, I thought that it was going to be a story about fame and sex and scandal and stardom. It was all of that, but so much more. Much of the memoir focuses on her growing up, becoming who she is today. The lessons that she learned and the people that she loved.
There are heartbreaking and emotional moments, as Wu courageously recounts and explores her traumas, but the book is also filled with hope and love. It is like a biting shot of liquor followed by a warm hug.
One of the bravest and noblest aspects of the book, and what makes it so successful for me, is that she presents such a seemingly fair account of events. She is the first to admit when she’s made mistakes in her life. She reflects on those “bad” decisions: people that she hurt and actions that she regrets, in a way that challenges them and how they helped her to grow. In that way, she illustrates in an unpretentious way, how we can be better people, too. As if to say, “I made this decision so you don’t have to.”
But moreover, she defends some of her past decisions and sheds new light on those situations in an extremely meaningful and empowering way. It was fascinating to read about her experience on “Fresh Off the Boat”. It was a show that was important and meaningful to many, but which had such a negative association for Wu due to her adverse experience on set with abusive and manipulative producers. So insightful.
I am excited to read this book again. It is one of my favorite memoirs I’ve ever read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Addiction
Minor: Fatphobia
zombiezami's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, and Mental illness
Minor: Alcohol, Pregnancy, Racism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Vomit, Death, and Excrement