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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
one of the most depressing but also hopeful books I've ever read. so fitting, the date I started this book
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Decent read. Was a dry start but remarkable walk through a Chinese life in America during COVID. Thoughtful. Should be good book club discussion.
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Community is such an important part of my life and what I want for my family. This book was a reminder that this is not the case for everybody and that’s okay. Joan is so herself even though it’s contrary to everyone’s expectations, especially her family. I read so much romance that I’m inclined to want the neighbors to get together, but this is not that book. I enjoyed reading a new perspective and a character who challenged me. Didn’t realize that the book ends with the beginning of Covid-19, which was challenging to read.
Genre: Relationship fiction
Character: Culturally diverse
Storyline: Own voices
Tone: Moving; Reflective
Writing Style: Candid; Engaging
Character: Culturally diverse
Storyline: Own voices
Tone: Moving; Reflective
Writing Style: Candid; Engaging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In a good way, this reminded me a lot of Chemistry. Very funny and clever, with lots of call-backs/references to imagery and turns of phrases throughout. I really like the narration style of short, straightforward lines, in which you sort of get lost in what are the narrator's thoughts/internal monolog (again, very funny) and what is actual dialogue/description of what's happening. I also appreciated that a lot of the narration is understated: the main character just bluntly and quickly describes what's going on (including absurd things other people are saying/doing), and the plot points and imagery speak for themselves. The only exception are longer passages giving some highlights of US immigration policies, but/and this was very good and worked well for me.
I loved the main character, and she was really thoughtfully situated in broader issues of xenophobia, Asian hate/discrimination, the politics/culture of hospital work, and immigration/making sense of family and "home" via frequent moves and international travel. The way her father's death kept coming up in small, special ways throughout the novel was very moving. The end scene is so beautiful and bittersweet.
Listened to this on audiobook while driving and running - excellent narration! I looked forward to runs in order to get to listen to this.
I loved the main character, and she was really thoughtfully situated in broader issues of xenophobia, Asian hate/discrimination, the politics/culture of hospital work, and immigration/making sense of family and "home" via frequent moves and international travel. The way her father's death kept coming up in small, special ways throughout the novel was very moving. The end scene is so beautiful and bittersweet.
Listened to this on audiobook while driving and running - excellent narration! I looked forward to runs in order to get to listen to this.
Weike Wang is much like Sally Rooney in the way that she also writes books that are indescribable and kinda quiet on the action but super loud with emotion. Like Rooney's book this will stick with you long after you've finished it.