Scan barcode
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
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
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
236girls's review
emotional
informative
reflective
3.0
constance is a far from perfect person and it was very cool reading about her very human experiences of fucking up and learning and fixing herself and still being able to put love out into the world regardless. i cried when she talked about her bunny and i had this empty hollow feeling inside me when she talked about her running through those unfinished mansions with her sister and mom. i loved hearing about her past loves and friendships and how they shaped her and her world view. i feel like i really would have liked this if it was more linear and slightly more condensed, and maybe her writing style was just not for me -- felt a little repetitive at times.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexism, and Sexual assault
leximichiko's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Sexual assault
issyd23's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Best book I’ve read this year 5🎭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Racism, and Toxic friendship
readingwithcoffee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.5
I enjoyed this Snapchat of Constance Wu in her late thirties but I think the book she writes in her fifties or sixties we’ll be much better.
Her mostly low self esteem in the book can be odd in the book and at times make it seem like she’s being overly hard on herself or making herself more of an underdog then she might be but given what she meant through and the idea of being easily replaceable was what one Asian American producer dangled over her to sexually harass her for years I think it make sense if you step back even if it can make you wish she stepped back a bit when recounting certain events. Largely though I thought a weakness of the book was Wu being what seemed afraid of being too easy on herself, or hard on others that leads to a lot of acceptance and forgiveness of men who frankly don’t deserve it. That said in her own words Wu finds forgiving others how they harmed her a way to free herself from victim blaming herself which I think is important to be patient with, though I think some people who experienced similar harm will find really foreign to their experiences and needs if not more averse to it.
I really liked her like many other women of color talking about harm within the community being used to silence you because you’re afraid of harming the community by talking about how you are experiencing harm from someone within it or a prominent “ally”. I also really liked how she talked about when she gave a disjointed but frankly understandable and over judged response to the show she was abused being renewed no one cared that an out of character out burst signaled something was probably wrong in her life in some way but care at the idea she lost face or wasn’t grateful enough for crumbs. Similarly how she talks about how both non Asians and Asians try to force her mom to fit a Tiger mom stereotype she doesn’t to suit their comforts and limited ideas of Asians and women.
I loved the taxi Can story in NYC though I understand why someone could look at this essay collection and wonder why some were included at all and while non linear essays or books are fine there definitely were times the transitions were rough and it seemed like starting all over even if multiple events and things layer to make us who we are now.
Her mostly low self esteem in the book can be odd in the book and at times make it seem like she’s being overly hard on herself or making herself more of an underdog then she might be but given what she meant through and the idea of being easily replaceable was what one Asian American producer dangled over her to sexually harass her for years I think it make sense if you step back even if it can make you wish she stepped back a bit when recounting certain events. Largely though I thought a weakness of the book was Wu being what seemed afraid of being too easy on herself, or hard on others that leads to a lot of acceptance and forgiveness of men who frankly don’t deserve it. That said in her own words Wu finds forgiving others how they harmed her a way to free herself from victim blaming herself which I think is important to be patient with, though I think some people who experienced similar harm will find really foreign to their experiences and needs if not more averse to it.
I really liked her like many other women of color talking about harm within the community being used to silence you because you’re afraid of harming the community by talking about how you are experiencing harm from someone within it or a prominent “ally”. I also really liked how she talked about when she gave a disjointed but frankly understandable and over judged response to the show she was abused being renewed no one cared that an out of character out burst signaled something was probably wrong in her life in some way but care at the idea she lost face or wasn’t grateful enough for crumbs. Similarly how she talks about how both non Asians and Asians try to force her mom to fit a Tiger mom stereotype she doesn’t to suit their comforts and limited ideas of Asians and women.
I loved the taxi Can story in NYC though I understand why someone could look at this essay collection and wonder why some were included at all and while non linear essays or books are fine there definitely were times the transitions were rough and it seemed like starting all over even if multiple events and things layer to make us who we are now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Misogyny, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, and Rape
aishallnot's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
3.5
3.75
I knew about Constance from her show fresh off the boat, so it was nice to have already know who she was for some years. I remember the controversy surrounding her tweets about the shows renewal and the backlash that followed, but after that we never saw much of her in the spotlight. Even though I've never seen any of her projects, I'm glad I read this book to hear more about who she is as a person and as an actress bc many still see her for acting 'out of character' due to her tweets. She has a great gift in writing and you can clearly see that her acting and writing go hand in hand. There were some parts of the book that were written like a screenplay which I thought was cool considering the title of this book.
Unfortunately, I do agree with a lot of the reviews about how her memoir was executed. It was a unique approach writing in essay format, however they did feel scattered and even random at times in terms of subject matter. Her first essay starts out in adulthood, then another from when she was in high then, then a a child, etc, and I think if they were chronological, the story would be easy to follow. Also there were moments were some of her essays (or even maybe a few essay) felt like stream of consciousness, yet she was able bring her writing back to the overall narrative.
I think this her story overall just proves how she was able to own her voice and be authentic to herself. If you're going to read this bc of the backlash she got, there is an essay about what led up to that moment, but I'd say to read the book in general to get a grasp of who she is. There were times I found myself relating to her and for someone like constance who is a celebrity (and actress at that) is also proof that she is no different from anyone else and also has her struggles.
I knew about Constance from her show fresh off the boat, so it was nice to have already know who she was for some years. I remember the controversy surrounding her tweets about the shows renewal and the backlash that followed, but after that we never saw much of her in the spotlight. Even though I've never seen any of her projects, I'm glad I read this book to hear more about who she is as a person and as an actress bc many still see her for acting 'out of character' due to her tweets. She has a great gift in writing and you can clearly see that her acting and writing go hand in hand. There were some parts of the book that were written like a screenplay which I thought was cool considering the title of this book.
Unfortunately, I do agree with a lot of the reviews about how her memoir was executed. It was a unique approach writing in essay format, however they did feel scattered and even random at times in terms of subject matter. Her first essay starts out in adulthood, then another from when she was in high then, then a a child, etc, and I think if they were chronological, the story would be easy to follow. Also there were moments were some of her essays (or even maybe a few essay) felt like stream of consciousness, yet she was able bring her writing back to the overall narrative.
I think this her story overall just proves how she was able to own her voice and be authentic to herself. If you're going to read this bc of the backlash she got, there is an essay about what led up to that moment, but I'd say to read the book in general to get a grasp of who she is. There were times I found myself relating to her and for someone like constance who is a celebrity (and actress at that) is also proof that she is no different from anyone else and also has her struggles.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Racism
heatherjchin's review
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Sexual violence, Racism, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Cursing
skillwithaquill's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
In a lot of ways, this book shouldn’t be my cup of tea.
There’s so many stories in this book about men and boyfriends and breakups that I rarely if ever seek out in media. I can’t relate to the pressure of “always having a boyfriend since [she] was a teenager” and constantly struggling to make relationships work. That’s never been my experience and sometimes I disconnect with memoirs that are so driven by overwrought romantic entanglements.
But this book deftly weaves poetic themes, imagery, and insight into those relationship stories. They don’t feel trite or boring or too self-indulgent. I did have trouble keeping all the different boyfriends’ names straight by the end of the book, but that’s my fault and not the author’s.
The very uniquely female fear of being labeled and dismissed as “difficult” is interwoven expertly throughout her stories. Even in childhood, girls & AFAB folks are punished for standing up for themselves with ostracism and harsh criticism. It’s a never-ending battle.
I’d rather be a difficult bitch than a push-over or a pick-me any day. But I still have sympathy for those who think they must be push-overs or pick-mes to be accepted and loved. I think this memoir has sympathy for that phenomenon too.
The book gave me more to think about than I expected, which is always a nice surprise.
There’s so many stories in this book about men and boyfriends and breakups that I rarely if ever seek out in media. I can’t relate to the pressure of “always having a boyfriend since [she] was a teenager” and constantly struggling to make relationships work. That’s never been my experience and sometimes I disconnect with memoirs that are so driven by overwrought romantic entanglements.
But this book deftly weaves poetic themes, imagery, and insight into those relationship stories. They don’t feel trite or boring or too self-indulgent. I did have trouble keeping all the different boyfriends’ names straight by the end of the book, but that’s my fault and not the author’s.
The very uniquely female fear of being labeled and dismissed as “difficult” is interwoven expertly throughout her stories. Even in childhood, girls & AFAB folks are punished for standing up for themselves with ostracism and harsh criticism. It’s a never-ending battle.
I’d rather be a difficult bitch than a push-over or a pick-me any day. But I still have sympathy for those who think they must be push-overs or pick-mes to be accepted and loved. I think this memoir has sympathy for that phenomenon too.
The book gave me more to think about than I expected, which is always a nice surprise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexism, Rape, Suicide attempt, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Racism, and Sexual assault
Other possible triggers: descriptions of cyber bullying and internet-specific harassment