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A review by bookishlychar
My Summer of Love and Misfortune by Lindsay Wong
2.0
My Summer of Love and Misfortune by Lindsay Wong is a debut fiction novel about Iris a Chinese-American who's parents send her to China to meet relatives she never knew she had. From the description, I knew that I wanted to try out this book and see what it was like. It sounded fun and interesting.
My problem was that I really struggled with Iris as a character. To me she was completely unlikeable, and maybe that was the point. She is not only irresponsible (drinking, drugs, failing out of school), but I found it unrealistic, how did it get so far that no one knew she wasn't going to graduate from high school? I struggle with really connecting with Iris throughout the book. She came off as selfish, self centered and self absorbed. I am usually all for a redemption arc, but for me this happened a little to late. Iris did redeem herself, but it took until I had read more than 75% of the book. In the end, I don't even know if Iris actually did redeem herself. Sure, she worked hard and did some things that were a little selfless, but I don't know that she actually changed. I found it really hard to believe that Iris went through all the things that she did in the book, and did not have an "eye opening" experience, or understand herself more.
There were parts of the book I did like. I really enjoyed how Wong introduced me to Chinese culture, which I have limited knowledge, and also explored some heavy issues, including migrant workers and poverty. I wish that there had been a bigger, more obvious change for Iris, and we could have seen her development.
I will give this book 2.5/5 stars. I do look forward to checking out more of Lindsay Wong's novels in the future. I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.
My problem was that I really struggled with Iris as a character. To me she was completely unlikeable, and maybe that was the point. She is not only irresponsible (drinking, drugs, failing out of school), but I found it unrealistic, how did it get so far that no one knew she wasn't going to graduate from high school? I struggle with really connecting with Iris throughout the book. She came off as selfish, self centered and self absorbed. I am usually all for a redemption arc, but for me this happened a little to late. Iris did redeem herself, but it took until I had read more than 75% of the book. In the end, I don't even know if Iris actually did redeem herself. Sure, she worked hard and did some things that were a little selfless, but I don't know that she actually changed. I found it really hard to believe that Iris went through all the things that she did in the book, and did not have an "eye opening" experience, or understand herself more.
There were parts of the book I did like. I really enjoyed how Wong introduced me to Chinese culture, which I have limited knowledge, and also explored some heavy issues, including migrant workers and poverty. I wish that there had been a bigger, more obvious change for Iris, and we could have seen her development.
I will give this book 2.5/5 stars. I do look forward to checking out more of Lindsay Wong's novels in the future. I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.