Scan barcode
A review by jenniferbbookdragon
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Celeste Ng does an amazing job writing about trauma, racism, misogyny, and dysfunctional families. This gut-wrenching story of a teen girl's disappearance and death moves back and forth between before and after the tragedy and demonstrates how experiences from childhood can create generations of pain. The main story takes place in 1977 Ohio, but reaches back to China, California, Virginia, and Boston.
I found it a painful reading experience, especially the scenes with parents lashing out at their children, and the amount of secrets every single family member is carrying will break your heart. I am glad I read it for a book club because I need to discuss and process it with others.
I found it a painful reading experience, especially the scenes with parents lashing out at their children, and the amount of secrets every single family member is carrying will break your heart. I am glad I read it for a book club because I need to discuss and process it with others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Grief, Racism, Xenophobia, Bullying, Child death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Physical abuse and Alcohol