Scan barcode
rueluxprince's review
5.0
After a year in a depression slump, this book is igniting my need and my want to write again
shimauchiha's review
3.0
2.5 stars.
I've recently discovered a liking for creative non-fiction, what this means is that I'm still so unfamiliar with the genre that I've only been reading the masters so far. You could see then why this little book might not have fared so well in comparison.
It's not a book I would have picked up by myself, but it still seemed interesting enough that when I won a book bundle in a giveaway, this was the first one I started to read.
It's a collection of short stories, centred around the life of the Australian born writer and her multicultural family. A mother from Cambodia who cannot read or write and doesn't speak English, but earns money by creating gold jewellery in the garage, a father who buried dead bodies before escaping China. It sounds like the stuff of dreams for creative non-fiction. However, the writing itself lacks the brutal honesty and real insight that makes the best non-fiction so unforgettable. I finished it feeling like I knew a lot of facts about the writer's life, but I didn't know her beyond what I would have learned after an afternoon conversation. I didn't feel trusted enough to hear about the intimate stuff, just the things that she would be willing to showcase to prove her unique heritage. It was much more like listening to a lecture than being confined in. Nothing in the book discomfited me and that alone is a sign of its lack of depth in exploring the themes it presented.
But as the book was a collection of the writer's books throughout the years, some were undeniably better than others and a whole it was an easy read from start to finish, if not a particularly memorable one.
I've recently discovered a liking for creative non-fiction, what this means is that I'm still so unfamiliar with the genre that I've only been reading the masters so far. You could see then why this little book might not have fared so well in comparison.
It's not a book I would have picked up by myself, but it still seemed interesting enough that when I won a book bundle in a giveaway, this was the first one I started to read.
It's a collection of short stories, centred around the life of the Australian born writer and her multicultural family. A mother from Cambodia who cannot read or write and doesn't speak English, but earns money by creating gold jewellery in the garage, a father who buried dead bodies before escaping China. It sounds like the stuff of dreams for creative non-fiction. However, the writing itself lacks the brutal honesty and real insight that makes the best non-fiction so unforgettable. I finished it feeling like I knew a lot of facts about the writer's life, but I didn't know her beyond what I would have learned after an afternoon conversation. I didn't feel trusted enough to hear about the intimate stuff, just the things that she would be willing to showcase to prove her unique heritage. It was much more like listening to a lecture than being confined in. Nothing in the book discomfited me and that alone is a sign of its lack of depth in exploring the themes it presented.
But as the book was a collection of the writer's books throughout the years, some were undeniably better than others and a whole it was an easy read from start to finish, if not a particularly memorable one.
amrap's review
5.0
Have enjoyed meandering through these essays for the past few weeks. These essays span so many topics and they chart her development of a writer. My favourite pieces are the ones where she shines a light on what is her mundane life but is exotic to others such as when she writes about Footscray Market, or her mother's work making gold and selling it. Also love her essay about doing school visits School Days and her exploration about adults obsession with protecting young people from dark topics, which ignores their need to have their stories represented and help them find ways of coping with life.
gisellenguyen's review
5.0
Wonderful collection of stories – including memoir, fiction and journalism – from one of Australia’s finest. Alice Pung’s voice is unique and personal, and her observational eye is like no one else’s. She’s the writer I strive to be.
bibeanenergy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Alice Pung is a gem of a writer. She deftly handles stories and musings and cultural observances wrapped together expertly to create a total joy of a read. It is a pleasure and a privilige to glean a look at her world and knowledge in this books pages. Do yourself a favour
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Racial slurs, and Death
More...