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ennitsud's review against another edition
5.0
this was such a cute and pretty relatable book. many of the anxieties that mei went through are things that i have worried over and still worry over today–being a role model, pursuing a career that makes lots of money and is stable, getting the best grades. unfortunately for my parents, while i am pursuing a not-so-bad major (it's still not anything medical so it's not the best. whelp.), i'm still not sure what i want to do and it's approaching deadbeat territory. and having the strict parents plus the traditions and those damn superstitions (my mom's very big on the bad of my zodiac signs–chinese and the other–and constantly likes to tell me to watch out and read my horoscopes).
but outside of those relatable aspects, reading about mei's specific taiwanese-american experience was interesting. the anxieties of trying to impress her parents and also trying to be herself were issues i felt when i was just a freshmen (i still feel, but less). reading about her family's traditions, (her aunt is wild) and how it tore the family apart nearly tore my heart apart. but the changing relationship between her, her mom, and her brother made me uwu and i'm so happy that her and her roommate are getting along. and then darren. the sweetheart!! ahhhh!
overall, a cute, witty, and somewhat eye-opening story!
but outside of those relatable aspects, reading about mei's specific taiwanese-american experience was interesting. the anxieties of trying to impress her parents and also trying to be herself were issues i felt when i was just a freshmen (i still feel, but less). reading about her family's traditions, (her aunt is wild) and how it tore the family apart nearly tore my heart apart. but the changing relationship between her, her mom, and her brother made me uwu and i'm so happy that her and her roommate are getting along. and then darren. the sweetheart!! ahhhh!
overall, a cute, witty, and somewhat eye-opening story!
indecisivesailorscout's review against another edition
5.0
I loved every second of this. Definitely a 2018 favorite. I couldn't put it down! Highly recommend for anyone interested in new adult (aka college-aged protagonist, First Generation rep, going-to-college-earlier-than-most) contemporary.
emilygee's review against another edition
emotional
informative
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
persistent_reader's review against another edition
3.0
This was a deal of the day at Audible, so I got it. I don't normally read YA fiction, but I was intrigued because it was about a Chinese American girl trying to find her way between 2 cultures and their respective pressures. The main character was likable, and the other characters generally steered clear from the standard tropes. The reader in the Audible version was excellent and brought the story to life. It's also encouraging that books are available that feature kids outside of the dominant culture. I wish I had that growing up. My only objection was some of the profanity, which is probably more realistic than I am used to, but I am old enough to be Mei's mother.
bekahtay19's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
3.5
sydney_09's review against another edition
3.0
It was a sweet story. Reminded me a little of Crazy Rich Asians. I wish the ending wasnt so abrupt and that more information came out about her and her father's relationship.
moonchildthereader's review against another edition
1.0
I gave this book 2.5 stars originally but upon further reflection, I reduced my rating to 1 star.
I rarely ever give a book 1 star, so that says something.
I guess I just don´t like books where American culture is idolized and Taiwanese culture is being demonized and gimmicked, being Chinese myself.
The writing was also very simplistic and the main character was annoying, along with, well, everyone in this novel. The characters were really more caricatures than actual, nuanced people. Everything was just so unrealistic, no matter how superstitious people can be.
(Whenever I see this book, I mutter darkly to myself ´Fucking American Panda´.)
So, yeah. 1 star.
Writing this review has made me pissed off.
I rarely ever give a book 1 star, so that says something.
I guess I just don´t like books where American culture is idolized and Taiwanese culture is being demonized and gimmicked, being Chinese myself.
The writing was also very simplistic and the main character was annoying, along with, well, everyone in this novel. The characters were really more caricatures than actual, nuanced people. Everything was just so unrealistic, no matter how superstitious people can be.
(Whenever I see this book, I mutter darkly to myself ´Fucking American Panda´.)
So, yeah. 1 star.
Writing this review has made me pissed off.
thatlizhunter's review against another edition
5.0
This book felt like a panic attack rolled into a lovely, tear-jerking story. I loved Mei's voice, her feelings, her culture, and her fears.
It's not often I relate so well to a character's fears - and I connected with Mei on a deep level. As I said, reading this book felt like a panic attack. Worry about disappointing your family, not fulfilling your own dreams, choosing the wrong career. I've lived through Mei's fears. Perhaps not on the same level, but the emotions mirrored my own.
I didn't grow up in a traditional Chinese family, but this story shows how any set of traditions can weigh you down. How expectations steal your family's joy and how you can't let the weight of opinions ruin your own future.
Within the first paragraphs, I felt like I was back in Beijing and Shanghai. I could smell the stinky tofu, hear the Mandarin, immerse myself in the sea of red. I loved the authenticity of the culture, the connection I felt through my own time spent in China. The Chinese traditions so heavily influence the story, mixing with the newer ties to America, and the experiences of a first-generation American. It's a beautiful struggle that moved me to tears.
I love Mei and her story. I laughed with her, my heart raced in fear for her, I cried with her, and I found joy in her freedom and zest for life.
It's hard to believe this is Gloria Chao's first novel, because the story was so well written! I look forward her future novels :-)
It's not often I relate so well to a character's fears - and I connected with Mei on a deep level. As I said, reading this book felt like a panic attack. Worry about disappointing your family, not fulfilling your own dreams, choosing the wrong career. I've lived through Mei's fears. Perhaps not on the same level, but the emotions mirrored my own.
I didn't grow up in a traditional Chinese family, but this story shows how any set of traditions can weigh you down. How expectations steal your family's joy and how you can't let the weight of opinions ruin your own future.
Within the first paragraphs, I felt like I was back in Beijing and Shanghai. I could smell the stinky tofu, hear the Mandarin, immerse myself in the sea of red. I loved the authenticity of the culture, the connection I felt through my own time spent in China. The Chinese traditions so heavily influence the story, mixing with the newer ties to America, and the experiences of a first-generation American. It's a beautiful struggle that moved me to tears.
I love Mei and her story. I laughed with her, my heart raced in fear for her, I cried with her, and I found joy in her freedom and zest for life.
It's hard to believe this is Gloria Chao's first novel, because the story was so well written! I look forward her future novels :-)
litwithlauren's review against another edition
3.0
this is exactly the kind of book i needed in high school and i’m just so sad that i couldn’t have read it then!!
mushra's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. Fell in love with it twenty pages in and stayed in love with it the whole time. I love everything about this book. The story is wonderful: hilarious and deep and complex. The characters were charming and well-fleshed out. The struggles the main character Mei felt were so relatable. I laughed and cried so much. This book made me feels so many things. The scenes were so well written and the entire story is absolutely beautiful. This is definitely a must-read.