A review by mikarala
Stay True by Hua Hsu

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Although I'm a bit older than our author was during the time of his life he chronicles in this novel, I deeply related to so many aspects of his life that he details in this memoir: the feelings of youthful ennui, the narcissistic impulse towards snobbery, the obsessive deep dives into obscure topics... Hsu's memoir has a vivid realism that I think anyone who has ever felt displaced or adrift can relate to, even though this story is saturated in references to '90s pop culture, Northern California lifestyle, and the Asian-American experience. None of those things may be relevant to my own life experience, and yet the evocative, beautifully-crafted prose manages to bring you to this time and place and see yourself in Hsu's own life. 

I was truly blown away by this memoir, and it's one of very few books I've ever read and thought "I need to read this again in a decade and see if my perspective changes". I believe this is an excellent story about friendship, growing up, and identity regardless of one's perspective, but it may feel particularly potent to any young adult still struggling to find their place in the world.
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