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A review by katebb76
If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? N/A
4.5
A gorgeously wholesome read, in which friendship and love -platonic, romantic and sexual- and sexuality were explored through the eyes of a female British-Chinese young adult, Elsie. The feelings and emotions of the characters were expressed by Cynthia So in a beautifully poetic manner.
The story also included fitting-in and finding 'your' people as well as thoughts on ethnicity and culture, including attractiveness in a Western-world biased towards white people.
I loved the use of online friendship, messaging and fandom in the telling of this story, making it accessible and relatable to the YA readers it is aimed at. However this also resonated with myself, as a slightly older reader, taking me back to similar online friendships, crushes and fanfic from my own University days.
The growing mother-daughter relationship also tugged on my heartstrings as Elsie and her mother began to understand each other and connect more.
The theme of lost-and-found friendship and love was strong throughout the book, linking with the title, If You Still Recognise Me, perfectly.
I cannot wait to pass this onto my own teen daughter and have every confidence she'll love this as much I did.
The story also included fitting-in and finding 'your' people as well as thoughts on ethnicity and culture, including attractiveness in a Western-world biased towards white people.
I loved the use of online friendship, messaging and fandom in the telling of this story, making it accessible and relatable to the YA readers it is aimed at. However this also resonated with myself, as a slightly older reader, taking me back to similar online friendships, crushes and fanfic from my own University days.
The growing mother-daughter relationship also tugged on my heartstrings as Elsie and her mother began to understand each other and connect more.
The theme of lost-and-found friendship and love was strong throughout the book, linking with the title, If You Still Recognise Me, perfectly.
I cannot wait to pass this onto my own teen daughter and have every confidence she'll love this as much I did.