A review by zoeferry
Chinese Parents Don't Say I Love You: A Memoir of Saying the Unsayable with Food by CANDICE CHUNG

emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

“Chinese Parents Don’t Say I Love You” by Candice Chung is a reflective and intimate memoir that captures a pivotal year in her life. Set in the months leading up to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chung explores the deep connections between food and the relationships that shape her world. Now that some time has passed since the pandemic started, it’s fascinating to read personal accounts of that period and how it reshaped people’s lives.

While the book explores her relationship with her parents, much of the focus shifts to the romantic relationship that develops during those months. Sometimes, her parents feel like background characters when they could have played a more central role. That said, I enjoyed Chung’s memoir. Her lyrical writing style pulls you right into her experiences, and the way she weaves food into the narrative is beautifully done—it often takes center stage in the best way.

I’d recommend this to anyone looking to explore more Asian writers and their nuanced takes on relationships, identity, and family.