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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling is an equal parts fluffy and hard-hitting Aussie YA contemporary that explores mental illness within a Chinese-Australian context.
I am a sucker for any book with a toxic mother/daughter relationship, so naturally I was alllllllll over this! (Why go to therapy when I can just read about fictional characters dealing with the same issues, lmao)
One of my favourite contemporary novel elements is when characters are navigating a new space but lack the required vocabulary and knowledge to properly participate. You don’t know what you don’t know, and I love being with the characters on their learning journey. In this instance, Anna doesn’t have the knowledge to articulate what is happening to her mother; to the point where she doesn’t even fully realise anything is even wrong with her. Seeing how mental illness is stigmatised so heavily in Chinese culture that it’s ignored completely was equal parts tragic and fascinating.
While it’s not a focal point of the story, the romance here was really delightful. First and foremost this is a book about family and mental illness, but through her burgeoning relationship, Anna grows more independent and her partner equips her with some of the knowledge she needs around mental health. It’s a pure and supportive relationship, with some of the best communication I’ve seen in YA. Not only do they argue and call each other out on problematic behaviour, they take the time to educate one another on why it’s problematic.
This was a really sweet and sad read, with the perfect balance of love and fluff to balance out the darkness. I just wish there’d been even more dumplings in it!
I am a sucker for any book with a toxic mother/daughter relationship, so naturally I was alllllllll over this! (Why go to therapy when I can just read about fictional characters dealing with the same issues, lmao)
One of my favourite contemporary novel elements is when characters are navigating a new space but lack the required vocabulary and knowledge to properly participate. You don’t know what you don’t know, and I love being with the characters on their learning journey. In this instance, Anna doesn’t have the knowledge to articulate what is happening to her mother; to the point where she doesn’t even fully realise anything is even wrong with her. Seeing how mental illness is stigmatised so heavily in Chinese culture that it’s ignored completely was equal parts tragic and fascinating.
While it’s not a focal point of the story, the romance here was really delightful. First and foremost this is a book about family and mental illness, but through her burgeoning relationship, Anna grows more independent and her partner equips her with some of the knowledge she needs around mental health. It’s a pure and supportive relationship, with some of the best communication I’ve seen in YA. Not only do they argue and call each other out on problematic behaviour, they take the time to educate one another on why it’s problematic.
This was a really sweet and sad read, with the perfect balance of love and fluff to balance out the darkness. I just wish there’d been even more dumplings in it!
A good examination of a young girl dealing with a parent who has mental health issues while also grappling with first love and bring a first generation immigrant. It was a really heavy read which makes sense given the subject matter and I appreciated that the ending wasn’t “perfect”
Actual rating; 4 stars
Actual rating; 4 stars
A very difficult but interesting read about some important themes like mental illness, racism, emotional and psychological maltreatment and neglect of children by parents and so on. I really liked this story.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is an important and well-written read! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. #mentalhealth #familyiseverything
I find it quite ironic but when I first read this book in Year 7 I rated it 5 stars but now on the reread after analysing it for english it’s 3 stars. Now let me explain, I think this was a lovely contemporary for young adults to enjoy. It was relatable as both a teenager and Asian living in Australia and the food references where just mouth watering. However I think it was trying to cover a lot of topics in one. Mental health and romance usually aren’t the best combination and I’ll say Rory and Anna’s relationship didn’t really fit too well with the theme of this book. Aside from that and how bored I got from over analysing a pretty decent read and English book.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
This is an ode to eldest daughters, to the stigmas of mental health and the trials of trying to have a normal teenage life while balancing so many different thing. I enjoyed it and how accurate the themes discussed feel.
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
*4.5
Who knew something so delicious-sounding would be so sad...
Who knew something so delicious-sounding would be so sad...