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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
“Your House Will Pay” is not an easy read - which is a given, considering that it deals with topics of racism and racial injustice and is furthermore based on a (series of) real story/-ies. Just as importantly, however, the book also extends to involve those individuals that might not be at the forefront of these issues as it examines their blissful ignorance and how they can only continue to remain ignorant until they themselves become affected. In fact, Steph Cha does a great job of constructing her story and fleshing out the characters, mainly focusing on an African-American and a Korean-American family, and their experiences with racism and injustice which tie them together over the course of the book. Especially with Grace, one of the Korean-American characters, Cha does a great job of illustrating the responsibility and reality of dealing with the topics discussed in the book, as her belief in the world as just as fair begins to crumble and she becomes aware of her own delusions and inconsistencies. A book that is both timely and necessary and which I would definitely recommend despite but also just because of the difficult story it deals with.
4.5^ stars - wow this book. As an Asian American who has seen the anti-Blackness in the Asian community, it was refreshing to see it finally acknowledged and told the way that it truly, unfortunately is in our community. A very sad, true novel that was very well-written and spoke to the harsh realities of our current society.
3.5 stars. I really wanted to love this book. It's about racial tensions in LA after the LA Riots (the term we used as I was growing up). I was 16 when this happened and remember going through so many feelings as I watched this unfold. My husband was in LA during this time and remembers a lot as well and his family owned a liquor store outside of LA for many years. So perhaps I had really high expectations for this one. It was a well written story and it showed 2 perspectives well. One from the family whose mother shot a Black teenager (based on Latasha Harlins) and the other perspective is from the family of victim Latasha Harlins. I think it's an important reminder that there are always multiple sides of a story and I often like to say the truth lies somewhere in the middle. It's complicated and I commend Steph Cha for tackling this topic but 3 days after I finished it, I couldn't remember the ending and had to flip back to refresh my memory. Wasn't memorable for me. I also wish that the mother-daughter relationship went a little deeper... I wanted a bit more from that dynamic. Overall, I think there aren't a lot of stories about the LA Riots so I do think it's worth picking up.
I was nervous about reading a book facing Black-AAPI tensions head on, but Steph Cha managed to navigate it beautifully and meaningfully with nuance. Expect to have to sit with hard feelings and confront them. Beyond just race though, this book is about justice vs. fairness and the things we do to keep our family safe and make them happy through tough times. I’m going to be thinking about it for a while.
A powerhouse of a novel about two families in LA, one is African-American the other is Korean-American following the aftermath of a decade old crime.
Themes of violence, race, tension and loss make for a very intense and thoughtful read!
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This is sooo good!!! Steph Cha has managed to write a story surrounding a particular dark and violet moment in Los Angeles's history with such precision and magnetism! Her storytelling skills are strong! She created this believable story full of generational violence, racial injustice and politics with characters that felt so authentic. This will stick with me for a while. And I have a feeling it is going to be a Hot Read for Fall!
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Thank You to the publisher for sending me this arc opinions are my own.
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For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
Themes of violence, race, tension and loss make for a very intense and thoughtful read!
•
This is sooo good!!! Steph Cha has managed to write a story surrounding a particular dark and violet moment in Los Angeles's history with such precision and magnetism! Her storytelling skills are strong! She created this believable story full of generational violence, racial injustice and politics with characters that felt so authentic. This will stick with me for a while. And I have a feeling it is going to be a Hot Read for Fall!
•
Thank You to the publisher for sending me this arc opinions are my own.
•
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
Good story about the past catching up to the present with tragic consequences.
Really liked this one! Very modern and relevant, with plots and characters that keep you fully engaged. Reminiscent of The Hate You Give, but for a more adult audience.
Last month I read Your House Will Pay by Steph Cha. @Cozybooknook sent it to me as a Christmas gift after she discovered my book wish list. I really wanted to read it after reading @shereadswithcats review and Janelle has never steered me wrong.
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Have you ever had a book that is hard to rave about or write a review because you want to include spoilers? Your House Will Pay is one of those. My review is more of a synopsis because I don't want to spoil it.
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Set in Los Angeles, Your House Will Pay alternates between 1991 and 2019.
In 1991 Shawn Matthews' 16 year old, Black sister, Ava, was shot from behind when a store owner believes that she was shoplifting. When Shawn and his family don't see justice for Ava's murder, we see how that impacts his family for years to come.
Grace Park is born to Korean immigrant parents and has spent her youth and adult life working at her parent's pharmacy. As an adult, Grace's biggest concern is why her Mom and Sister no longer speak.
Your House Will Pay brings slowly brings together these families in a way that I didn't see coming. Until the end of the book, I did not know that this book is based on a true story with names changed. This book does not end wrapped up in a pretty little bow, but reality doesn't usually wrap itself up in a pretty little bow.
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Have you ever had a book that is hard to rave about or write a review because you want to include spoilers? Your House Will Pay is one of those. My review is more of a synopsis because I don't want to spoil it.
.
Set in Los Angeles, Your House Will Pay alternates between 1991 and 2019.
In 1991 Shawn Matthews' 16 year old, Black sister, Ava, was shot from behind when a store owner believes that she was shoplifting. When Shawn and his family don't see justice for Ava's murder, we see how that impacts his family for years to come.
Grace Park is born to Korean immigrant parents and has spent her youth and adult life working at her parent's pharmacy. As an adult, Grace's biggest concern is why her Mom and Sister no longer speak.
Your House Will Pay brings slowly brings together these families in a way that I didn't see coming. Until the end of the book, I did not know that this book is based on a true story with names changed. This book does not end wrapped up in a pretty little bow, but reality doesn't usually wrap itself up in a pretty little bow.