A review by apothecarum
What We Kept to Ourselves by Nancy Jooyoun Kim

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

The pacing felt slow but the content was relatable as a first generation Asian-American. I also really enjoyed the story being set in LA's Koreatown during the 90s LA riots. Not my usual kind of book but otherwise, not too difficult of a read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and War

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, Abandonment, and Colonisation

Minor: Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury