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mlovesbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Funny and bittersweet. A loving representation of living in the diaspora and family.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Racism
thefragranthand's review
slow-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? Yes
4.0
I found Joan quirky but likeable. It was a good book that explored the diferent ways people can be other. The ending. I'm so weary of books that just drop off like the literary equivalent of a coastal rock fall.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic and Death of parent
katymaryreads's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I did not like this book, and probably would not have finished it if it had not been a book club choice. It was a "slice of life" book, but the life was monumentally dull, and actually unbelievable in places. The things that did happen were unexciting - even Covid was a non-event, and the protagonist was an ICU doctor! The main character is probably autistic, although that is never explicitly stated, but I felt that this doesn't explain her motivation to be so totally work-focussed and uncomprehending of those who are not, nor her relationship (limited as it was) with her family. Her family obviously care about her and want the best for her, although their way of trying to get this is un-subtle and just irritates and confuses her. Apparently there is a lot of humour in this book, but it was lost on me. I can see how this might appeal to someone who likes quirky characters with a different view on the world from what is typical, but this book was not for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic and Death of parent
tarajoy90's review
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
graystreetbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Medical content
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
bookishcori's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Xenophobia, and Racism
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
becaroniandcheez's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Death of parent
readerette's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
There were some strangely unresolved character threads in my mind (Why was Reese suddenly so bland after his time off? Was Joan ever going to speak to Mark again? Was the food basket from other tenants a one-time thing? ), but for the purposes of this story not everything felt like it needed a wrap-up.
Overall, it came across to me as a slice of life for the professionally satisfied but somewhat socially isolated daughter of immigrants, but not sugarcoated or idealized. Joan is relatable and likeable, but not in an "everywoman" way. I really felt like I got to be in someone else's shoes for a few hours. Someone smart and dedicated and who still gets confused and stressed about family and friends and culture and self.
Somehow the year of the setting didn't register for me at first (or perhaps was not specified), so when the covid-19 pandemic came up in the second half it almost shocked me, since the book had felt relatively timeless (though certainly in the era of mobile phones). But the inclusion of the pandemic leads to some of the most poignant observations in the story, so it was worth the slightly jarring sensation.
Overall, it came across to me as a slice of life for the professionally satisfied but somewhat socially isolated daughter of immigrants, but not sugarcoated or idealized. Joan is relatable and likeable, but not in an "everywoman" way. I really felt like I got to be in someone else's shoes for a few hours. Someone smart and dedicated and who still gets confused and stressed about family and friends and culture and self.
Somehow the year of the setting didn't register for me at first (or perhaps was not specified), so when the covid-19 pandemic came up in the second half it almost shocked me, since the book had felt relatively timeless (though certainly in the era of mobile phones). But the inclusion of the pandemic leads to some of the most poignant observations in the story, so it was worth the slightly jarring sensation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Racism
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Everything about this book screamed how did you look into my own life so clearly ?! Joan is 36 and is a doctor in NYC. Her father sadly passes away early on in the book & that seems to be a turning point for Joan. People start to question her a lot and it’s about parts of her life that people have no business questioning - Why aren’t you married yet? Do you want to have kids? Why do you not want them?On top of that, Joan is seen as a standout employee & is told to take time off. There is a lot of introspection revolved around being the daughter of immigrants, first Gen American and the trials & tribulations of being Asian. COVID is brought up gradually during the last 20/15 % of the book & I didn’t mind it, since this is part of our global history after all.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Xenophobia