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A review by bibliofrog
Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam by Thien Pham
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Thank you to First Second Books and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Wow, what a beautiful book. This was a lovely, intimate story of a Vietnamese family and their journey immigrating to America, told through memories of food. As a person whose love language is food (lol) this really spoke to me. Family Style is told in vignettes across the author's life, centring around his family and friends. I loved the art style and the simple yet impactful narrative voice. The overarching message of the importance of community and having a strong support system was so touching and left me feeling very grateful for mine. I may have shed a tear or two at the frames where Thien's mother made him Bánh Cuón-- being a teenager and trying to balance who you are with your friends and who you are with your family. I think the feeling of being an adult and realizing all the things your parents did for you growing up that you were never quite appreciative enough of is a universal one. This graphic novel really felt like a love letter to Thien's parents and to everyone who makes the decision to leave their life in one country for a better one in another. I will definitely be recommending this one to everyone at work when it comes out.
Wow, what a beautiful book. This was a lovely, intimate story of a Vietnamese family and their journey immigrating to America, told through memories of food. As a person whose love language is food (lol) this really spoke to me. Family Style is told in vignettes across the author's life, centring around his family and friends. I loved the art style and the simple yet impactful narrative voice. The overarching message of the importance of community and having a strong support system was so touching and left me feeling very grateful for mine. I may have shed a tear or two at the frames where Thien's mother made him Bánh Cuón-- being a teenager and trying to balance who you are with your friends and who you are with your family. I think the feeling of being an adult and realizing all the things your parents did for you growing up that you were never quite appreciative enough of is a universal one. This graphic novel really felt like a love letter to Thien's parents and to everyone who makes the decision to leave their life in one country for a better one in another. I will definitely be recommending this one to everyone at work when it comes out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia