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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Hard to summarize, so I'll just say this: I once read an article that stated that research indicated that the reason so many immigrants achieve amazing success in the United States is because there's a certain boldness of character required to move across the world to a foreign culture, and that this boldness serves you well in all circumstances. Polly Guo strikes me as a wonderful epitome of this theory.
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This book kept popping up for me based on other books I had given a high rating, and I can see why. It’s about identity, a sense of (cultural) unbelonging and immigration. While I did enjoy the exploration of those themes, and the book ticked all the right boxes, I didn’t love it. I felt like the story dragged, not in the least because of its consistent sad and heavy atmosphere. Things improved a little towards the end, as I found Peilan’s story more moving. I’m surprised; I had expected to love this, and I can tell that technically, it is well-written. Maybe it was just the right book at the wrong time.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was really two books in one; the life and experiences that were had before Polly left and those after. The stories were interspersed within each other and we were left to put the pieces in the right order. It was well written and fresh.
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A story of lives that are around us but unseen.
Gorgeous writing; important story of the white supremacy that permeates the U.S.
WOW. This was heavy, at times difficult to read, beautiful, and tender. It explores culture, family, and identity while shining a much-needed light on the trauma and injustices that often characterize immigration to the US. It should be required reading for all Americans.
So relevant and sad and important. I want more people to read this and look at adoption and immigration rights through a new lens, if you aren’t already.