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A review by whatshotblog
Chinglish by Sue Cheung
4.0
Ok where was this book when I was 14? Reading this book made me all the more aware of why diversity in literature is needed. I was born and raised in London but am half Chinese, half English. I have often been made to feel somewhat other in my life and never in my teenage years did I ever read any fiction where I could really relate to a character’s family life. What I was reading was what I aspired for my life to be like (i.e. a normal white teenage girl’s life) and was not my actual life or experience.
Whilst the family in Chinglish is not similar to my own (we do not own a chinese takeaway, my dad is English and he is not abusive), many of the protagonist’s experiences at school and with her peers are. I have bookmarked a number of passages where Jo described incidences that have echoed those in my own life. (“where are you REALLY from?”) and they are not ones I have ever seen in teen literature before. I feel certain that had I read books like this as a teenager I would’ve been more accepting of my wonderful (not weird) cultural background a lot sooner.
I’ll rewind now and explain what the book is about: It’s 1984 and we meet Jo, a teenage girl who has just moved to Coventry with her Chinese family. They live above the Chinese takeaway they own and it’s all her parents care about. Communication in their family is difficult as Jo’s parents and grandparents don’t speak English and Jo and her siblings barely speak Chinese. Chinglish is written in diary form and Jo explains the ups and downs of her new life in Coventry - school, friends and family.
I think it’s pretty clear that I loved Chinglish. I found Jo, the leading lady, to be highly relatable and her desire for “normal” parents (English parents) is something I understand. Reading this book made me feel less alone and I feel sad that 14-year-old Laura never had the chance to read books like this. That teenager never had the chance to read about chicken feet on the dinner table or strange herbal remedies. Weird to most readers I’m sure, but these are things I found relatable and amusing.
One criticism I have of the book is that it’s aim is not at all clear. Around half way through there is a major plot twist and the story becomes much darker. There are many references to domestic abuse and we never find out the outcome of this. I feel the ending was a little abrupt and unexpected and I wanted a little more. The loose ends are especially disconcerting since this is mostly autobiographical and many events would be deeply traumatising! This book definitely lends itself to becoming a series as there are lots of characters’ stories which remain unfinished.
If you’re of Chinese descent, I highly recommend reading this book. You will be able relate and you will laugh. It may well be the book you longed for as a teenager. If you’re unfamiliar with Chinese culture or the immigrant experience, I recommend reading this book. You’ll learn and you will laugh.
Yes
Whilst the family in Chinglish is not similar to my own (we do not own a chinese takeaway, my dad is English and he is not abusive), many of the protagonist’s experiences at school and with her peers are. I have bookmarked a number of passages where Jo described incidences that have echoed those in my own life. (“where are you REALLY from?”) and they are not ones I have ever seen in teen literature before. I feel certain that had I read books like this as a teenager I would’ve been more accepting of my wonderful (not weird) cultural background a lot sooner.
I’ll rewind now and explain what the book is about: It’s 1984 and we meet Jo, a teenage girl who has just moved to Coventry with her Chinese family. They live above the Chinese takeaway they own and it’s all her parents care about. Communication in their family is difficult as Jo’s parents and grandparents don’t speak English and Jo and her siblings barely speak Chinese. Chinglish is written in diary form and Jo explains the ups and downs of her new life in Coventry - school, friends and family.
I think it’s pretty clear that I loved Chinglish. I found Jo, the leading lady, to be highly relatable and her desire for “normal” parents (English parents) is something I understand. Reading this book made me feel less alone and I feel sad that 14-year-old Laura never had the chance to read books like this. That teenager never had the chance to read about chicken feet on the dinner table or strange herbal remedies. Weird to most readers I’m sure, but these are things I found relatable and amusing.
One criticism I have of the book is that it’s aim is not at all clear. Around half way through there is a major plot twist and the story becomes much darker. There are many references to domestic abuse and we never find out the outcome of this. I feel the ending was a little abrupt and unexpected and I wanted a little more. The loose ends are especially disconcerting since this is mostly autobiographical and many events would be deeply traumatising! This book definitely lends itself to becoming a series as there are lots of characters’ stories which remain unfinished.
If you’re of Chinese descent, I highly recommend reading this book. You will be able relate and you will laugh. It may well be the book you longed for as a teenager. If you’re unfamiliar with Chinese culture or the immigrant experience, I recommend reading this book. You’ll learn and you will laugh.
Yes