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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of the most painful and accurate depictions of Chinese mother - American daughter relationships I have ever read. I’ve never felt so seen by a book written decades ago and I hope that this book continues to persist as a staple in Asian American literature because it is just that important. Beautiful prose, heartwrenching characters, and a full cultural immersion. Simply one of the best books I’ve ever read.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is basically a collection of short stories, which isn't what I was expecting but might have changed my perception had I known that going in. As is often the way with short story collections, some were great and some were only okay. The overall pacing was slow and it was very difficult to keep the characters straight. But overall, it was a good read and there were a few gems.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Beautiful story about a young lady who is trying to understand her mother's life after she has already passed away. Also a look at being a Asian American.
I first learned about this novel from my friends who had to read this book in high school. Being high school kids they couldn’t possibly comprehend the topics or subjects discussed in this book, so most, if not all hated it. That secondhand hate me never want to read the book.
Years later the story piqued my interest and I found myself desperate to read it. I loved it and couldn’t put it down. It was such a moving and powerful book about family, culture, love, intergenerational trauma, the bonds between mothers and daughters, and so much more. I deeply loved this book and loved what it represented. It may be cry, laugh, and appreciate life so much more.
Years later the story piqued my interest and I found myself desperate to read it. I loved it and couldn’t put it down. It was such a moving and powerful book about family, culture, love, intergenerational trauma, the bonds between mothers and daughters, and so much more. I deeply loved this book and loved what it represented. It may be cry, laugh, and appreciate life so much more.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was going to give this 3 stars because some of the vignettes were meh. But then I read the last one and got teary eyed.
I will say it does get repetitive (is everyone divorced?) and I found some of it trite. But I really enjoyed the mother-daughter relationships and the depictions of San Francisco and China. And the last vignette earned this book a four-star rating.
I will say it does get repetitive (is everyone divorced?) and I found some of it trite. But I really enjoyed the mother-daughter relationships and the depictions of San Francisco and China. And the last vignette earned this book a four-star rating.