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savvylit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Joan is Okay is a slice-of-life novel following a memorable and loveable main character. Joan is literal, focused, wry, antisocial, and stubborn. Essentially, Joan is a delightfully complex and genuine individual. But someone needs to tell that to her brother, Fang. Or her neighbor, Mark. Or her coworker, Reese. All three of these men think that Joan needs their unsolicited advice.
Joan is Okay is a study on misogyny; specifically sexist expectations of Chinese-American women. At work, Joan deals with the model minority myth where everyone assumes her success is due to her race. Via phone, her brother Fang constantly encourages Joan to settle down and get married. At home, her new neighbor Mark decides that she's clueless and starts "gifting" her books, a television, and kitchen implements. Each of these people assumes that they know better than Joan how to live her own life. And that they can just absolutely steamroll her with their ideas.
If you like books where female protagonists navigate life and cultural expectations, you'll love Joan is Okay.
Joan is Okay is a study on misogyny; specifically sexist expectations of Chinese-American women. At work, Joan deals with the model minority myth where everyone assumes her success is due to her race. Via phone, her brother Fang constantly encourages Joan to settle down and get married. At home, her new neighbor Mark decides that she's clueless and starts "gifting" her books, a television, and kitchen implements. Each of these people assumes that they know better than Joan how to live her own life. And that they can just absolutely steamroll her with their ideas.
If you like books where female protagonists navigate life and cultural expectations, you'll love Joan is Okay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Pandemic/Epidemic, Death of parent, Racism, Toxic friendship, and Mental illness
kcarden2's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Racism, and Sexism
Covid
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