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brolonizer's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-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
5.0
Graphic: Rape
xsimmouse's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
min jin lee is such a compelling writer. i read this slowly because none of the characters are "good." lee explores themes of wealth and culture and its place in american society. each character, so realistically flawed, explores the idea of one's place in society and the happiness (or lack of) through a mixture of culture, religion, and ambition. also there was no lack of adultery . i almost didn't want to finish this but it's so hard to stop reading lee's writing. i took points off because i don't think it should have been 600 pages long. the writing is gorgeous but there was too much miscellaneous detail and eventually the amount of irrelevant characters confused me and i got tired. i think her 2nd novel (pachinko) was MUCH better.
Minor: Rape
brighteyed's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Addiction, and Miscarriage
jenn_nguyen's review against another edition
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.75
Moderate: Rape
nadareadseverything's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Minor: Miscarriage
tabea17's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Nice story but unsatisfying ending
Graphic: Rape
cassornelas's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Goddamn can min jin lee write a generational story. A bit slow paced at moments but kept solid pace otherwise. I was invested in each characters journey and even though theres no solid ending for everyone we do get to see the seeds of what will be next for them.
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Suicide attempt
rcampo's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Rape
allthebooks36's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Infidelity, and Suicidal thoughts
cass_lit's review against another edition
3.5
It’s hard to adequately put words to a book this long and dense. Free Food for Millionaires is longer than it needs to be in my opinion, but even still after putting so much time into reading it, I was *also* constantly thinking about it while not reading and after finishing it. I didn’t like or understand Casey at first, and I didn’t know how I was going to survive 20+ hours of listening to her whine but seemingly do nothing about it. But spend that much time with someone, and you do begin to understand and/or empathize. I was sad about the abrupt ending not for my own understanding of what happens, but because I thought Casey deserved closure for her story. I also started out not enjoying the multiple POVs but grew to love them and how much context they gave us about the characters, Casey included and the world at that time. It felt at times as though we were humanizing abusive, shitty people but now I see it more as getting context as to why they acted the way they did.
If you’ve read the popular Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, you know her writing. You know she’s not afraid of putting her characters through hell (understanding that these are historical books). Free Food for Millionaires is no exception. And if you, like me, are 75% in wondering where the “graphic” rape trigger warning comes in, know that just because you’re near the end of the novel doesn’t mean you’re safe.
If you’ve read the popular Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, you know her writing. You know she’s not afraid of putting her characters through hell (understanding that these are historical books). Free Food for Millionaires is no exception. And if you, like me, are 75% in wondering where the “graphic” rape trigger warning comes in, know that just because you’re near the end of the novel doesn’t mean you’re safe.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Infidelity, Rape, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Abortion