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bites_of_books's review against another edition
4.5
I had no previous knowledge of Hua Hsu but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of his memoir, it goes into a young Taiwanese American man's life as he navigates his journey through college. He strives to be alternative and fully outside of the mainstream, which was quite enjoyable for me. His passion for writing starts with putting together zines about his favorite subjects, mainly music.
I really enjoyed learning about his participation in activism around campus and the history of activism during various times in history. I didn't enjoy the philosophy sections as much, but that's just a personal preference.
Overall I'd recommend the audio since it also allowed me to hear the emotions in certain sections of the book, which made it even more powerful.
Graphic: Confinement, Grief, Drug use, Kidnapping, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, and Murder
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Death, Cursing, Dysphoria, Grief, Gun violence, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Murder, Drug use, Cultural appropriation, Racism, Alcohol, and Hate crime
Minor: Racial slurs, Bullying, Sexual content, and Antisemitism
chupacabra2000's review
3.0
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Gun violence
Minor: Drug use
thewellreadmrs's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Alcohol, Hate crime, Racism, Gun violence, Murder, Kidnapping, Death, Drug use, and Bullying
vklyle99's review
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Murder, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Drug use
chrisljm's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Hsu's lyrical writing and how nostalgic his prose was. The memoir was sprinkled with setting specific details that left me wistful of a time period where I didn't even exist yet. He recollects growing up as a second generation Asian American Californian youth in the 90s, interlacing the ways that shaped his identity, along with the clothes, music, and the cultural and political events especially during his college years. He also details the unlikely friendship he develops with Ken, and the grief and guilt he feels after Ken's murder. The memoir is vivid, atmospheric, and so insightful. You're transported to moments in Hsu's life where he is very emotionally honest in the way he shows us the person he was during his teens and early 20s.
Reading this leaves me reflecting on my own friendships and the inkling of fear I have of death, not for my own but for the people around me, and if I'll ever be able to remember them with the clarity Hsu seems to of Ken. I think the worst part of mortality, besides loss, is how fleeting memory is and the way details will be forgotten and how all we can ask is Can you stay with me a little longer?
Graphic: Death, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Gun violence, Cursing, Hate crime, Violence, Racism, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Antisemitism, Homophobia, Mass/school shootings, Suicide, Sexual assault, and War
rlinnyc's review
4.25
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Racism, Alcohol, and Drug use
mikarala's review against another edition
5.0
I was truly blown away by this memoir, and it's one of very few books I've ever read and thought "I need to read this again in a decade and see if my perspective changes". I believe this is an excellent story about friendship, growing up, and identity regardless of one's perspective, but it may feel particularly potent to any young adult still struggling to find their place in the world.
Moderate: Murder, Drug use, and Racism
samchase112's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Death, Drug use, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Police brutality and Alcohol
Minor: Racism