Reviews

Chinglish by Sue Cheung

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jonnyfox's review

4.0

A really nice and authentic book about growing up in a Chinese Takeaway on the 80s. A lot of this was really familiar- the hardworking family which means the children raise themselves etc. I like how the main character found some sense of belonging among goths too- outsiders always come together

michaeloconnor's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

byrons_brain's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

lordleeknow's review

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4.0

I’m gonna preface this by saying that I’m probably not the target audience of this book - it felt a little bit young for me.

- I actually quite enjoyed this book. It was so easy to read, and I flew through it.
- I liked the drawings, even though they felt a bit juvenile for a supposed 16 year old.
- At the beginning, it seemed like a funny book about the life of an awkward teen, but as you get into the book, it brings to light the other aspects of Jo’s life which are very dark. I like that this book brings awareness of things like domestic abuse, and shows it as it is - awful. However, the animal abuse in this book wasn’t condemned as much, which I thought was a bit iffy, but that could be interpreted as a child’s optimistic view on things, or coping with the pets’ deaths using humour, which seems very on-brand for Jo’s character.
- I think the style of this book (diary entries) really succeeded in bringing Jo’s character to life, and I felt I really connected with the character. The side characters like Tina, Bonny and Jo’s parents were also very convincingly portrayed.
- I am SO GLAD Jo was able to make it out in the end. Lots of books nowadays choose to end on depressing notes and I’m so glad this one ended on an optimistic note.
- I didn’t think I’d enjoy this as much as I did due to its slightly younger appeal, but I found this book to be funny, emotional and thought-provoking. Overall, a lovely read.

planetbeth91's review

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5.0

A stunning, heartfelt by turns hilarious by turns tear wrenching story of a Chinese British childhood in 1980s Coventry. I loved this and it was an honest and eye-opening account of minority life in the UK.