A review by sammies_shelf
Biting the Hand: Growing Up Asian in Black and White America by Julia Lee

emotional reflective medium-paced

4.5

In this book, Julia Lee weaves together personal narrative, history, and social criticism to paint a clear, sharp, nuanced look into coming of age as a second-generation Korean-American. She grapples with family history, racial identity, education, prejudice, and growing into a scholar/activist. One aspect of the book that is sticking with me is Lee's discovery of moving away from binary thinking in our activism as well as in our examination of ourselves. This is a compelling read with beautiful, emotional, personal voice as well as sharp criticism and reckoning. The audiobook is beautifully narrated by the author, and she does not hold back from letting us hear and feel her emotions.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audio ARC via Netgalley. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Police brutality, Racism, and Violence

Moderate: Suicide, Self harm, Racial slurs, and Gun violence

Minor: Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Slavery