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A review by smyles42
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
5.0
I first picked up this book, not because I like the author’s music (which I do), but because I love food memoirs. Crying in H Mart is so much more than a food memoir though. It is the story of a mother and a daughter, sometimes at odds, but caring deeply for each other. This is a story of loss and grief, healing, growth, and culture. Parts of this book are completely heartbreaking and I had to put the book down for a couple minutes. Korean food is what ties the story all together, both Zauner eating it and learning to make it on her own to feel closer to her mother after her passing.
To put it simply: I love this book. I won’t say that I “enjoyed” it, because it was quite sad at times and hit pretty freaking close to home. It was easy to read though and I really liked the author’s voice. It is personable and feels like a friend telling me about their life. I am also very close to my mother, so it was very difficult to read the parts where her mother is going through cancer treatments and her eventual passing. It was beautifully and vividly written, though; I could picture the scenes in my head and feel the emotions that the author evoked.
Honestly, I’m having a hard time completely and succinctly putting my feelings for this book into words. Just read it. It was fantastic. It contains so much in an unassuming package. Be prepared for some tears, especially if you’ve lost a loved one to cancer. Expect to get super hungry at all the delicious-sounding food mentioned. You will commiserate with Michelle and you will root for her as she goes through her 20s to become the awesome lady she is today.
One part that I had to mention: There is a whole passage about the band Modest Mouse. I love this band. They are my favorite band! I am very jealous that Zauner got to see them in the early aughts, which I would argue was their best era, but it was really neat to read her description of a show she went to and the first time she went crowd surfing!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
EDIT 5/26/2022 - The audiobook was fantastic and even more heart-wrenching.
To put it simply: I love this book. I won’t say that I “enjoyed” it, because it was quite sad at times and hit pretty freaking close to home. It was easy to read though and I really liked the author’s voice. It is personable and feels like a friend telling me about their life. I am also very close to my mother, so it was very difficult to read the parts where her mother is going through cancer treatments and her eventual passing. It was beautifully and vividly written, though; I could picture the scenes in my head and feel the emotions that the author evoked.
Honestly, I’m having a hard time completely and succinctly putting my feelings for this book into words. Just read it. It was fantastic. It contains so much in an unassuming package. Be prepared for some tears, especially if you’ve lost a loved one to cancer. Expect to get super hungry at all the delicious-sounding food mentioned. You will commiserate with Michelle and you will root for her as she goes through her 20s to become the awesome lady she is today.
One part that I had to mention: There is a whole passage about the band Modest Mouse. I love this band. They are my favorite band! I am very jealous that Zauner got to see them in the early aughts, which I would argue was their best era, but it was really neat to read her description of a show she went to and the first time she went crowd surfing!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
EDIT 5/26/2022 - The audiobook was fantastic and even more heart-wrenching.