Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi

7 reviews

sakisreads's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

I was honestly so rattled by this book. A friend had mentioned that this one was good to read because I’d thoroughly enjoyed ‘Disorientation’ by Elaine Hseih Chou. 

I was not expecting this depth of humanness, right down to all the upsetting content (content warnings below). But I loved Jayne for all her fucked up energy and for finally owning it, and I loved June for her fierceness, especially at the end.

Imagine getting fired because you stole a Supreme ashtray 😂

I’m going to be thinking about this book for a while now. 4 out of 5 stars, thank you ✨

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Self harm, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Cancer, Racism, Body horror, Alcoholism, Body shaming, and Bullying

michaelion's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-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

3.75

Fuck I wish I wasn't an only child.

I hate contemporary references in books with a passion but this one isn't that bad.

My only issue is Jayne is constantly said to be an emotional character but reading through I can barely get a sense of her thought process. She does things / takes actions at random,

for example: kicking out jeremy, going with june to the doctor,

and there was no build up or explanation as to why she decided to do those things. Actually it didn't have to be explained, but those moments felt random from a character whose thoughts we're exclusively able to read. Makes the character feel plot-driven as opposed to character-driven, but the story as a whole doesn't feel the same.

I guess my other issue is misused AAVE. But also... Asian American? From Texas? New York transplants? Color me shocked.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Dysphoria, Self harm, Vomit, Abandonment, Blood, Addiction, Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Classism, Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Racism, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Medical content, Fatphobia, Infertility, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, and Xenophobia

Minor: Racial slurs and Stalking

lucymoosie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Body horror

purpleblueraiin's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Vomit, Body horror, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Child death, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, and Sexual content

nataliebootlah's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Yolk is raw, emotional, genuine, and so painfully real. It’s a messy coming of age story about two estranged sisters living vastly different lives in New York City. One sister runs head on into a successful career while the other runs as fast and as far from her problems. How long can they avoid each other in big, busy New York City? Not long enough. 

June’s cancer diagnosis trumps Jayne’s dead-beat boyfriends, inability to attend class, and NYC-closet apartment. Sister relationships ebb and flow, sometimes you loathe them. Other times you put up with them because you have to. 

Choi has an amazing way with words making you feel like you’re listening to a personal soundtrack of NYC. Yolk hit the nail on the head with a nostalgia that felt like visiting somewhere so familiar. It feels comfortable and uncomfortable simultaneously. 

Also, this book cover is just perfect. *chefs kiss*

TW: eating disorders, dysmorphia, cancer, female fertility, talk of child loss, mental illness.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Self harm, Miscarriage, Cancer, Infertility, Dysphoria, Body horror, and Mental illness

womanwill's review against another edition

challenging dark funny reflective sad medium-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Cancer, Child death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Excrement, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Vomit, and Fatphobia

natkimko's review against another edition

dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness