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A review by melonreads
His Grumpy Childhood Friend by Jackie Lau
3.0
So, I've had time to sit and think about this book and what worked for me and what didn't. And I hope I've sat with it long enough that I can put my thoughts into some sort of coherent words that actually reflect my opinion of this book.
First of all, Jackie Lau's book are, by and large, a delight. Her books are low-key angst to completely free of all angst, she will spend page after page describing what her characters drank and ate from cider varieties to gourmet ice cream flavors. They are easy and breezy and lightweight fun, and don't get me wrong, I do NOT mean that as a criticism. However, that being said, they are also not the kind of books that stay with the reader, at least not me. They are sort of in one ear, out the ear type of books. And that's fine. Sometimes, what we actually want is a temporary palate cleanser or an escape and Jackie Lau book are great for that.
BUT. You knew that was coming. The problem comes when there is a main character introduced who has some kind of past trauma or emotional issue. I think mentioning it in passing is not a great approach and while in this book, the hero, Mike, has grown up with parents who emotionally abused him which in turn led him to seeking therapy and unable to find happiness and fulfillment in longterm relationships, I feel like there is more time spent having the characters banter about their respective preferences in cider flavors than in delving into Mike's past. It's very much mentioned in passing, with Mike sharing little stories about how awful his parents are and casually mentioning he's had therapy and perhaps he needs more. And while I appreciate that the author doesn't pretend that everything is wonderful and magically fixed at the end, I do wish she'd spent more time delving into how Mike's upbringing informed his present day emotional issues.
First of all, Jackie Lau's book are, by and large, a delight. Her books are low-key angst to completely free of all angst, she will spend page after page describing what her characters drank and ate from cider varieties to gourmet ice cream flavors. They are easy and breezy and lightweight fun, and don't get me wrong, I do NOT mean that as a criticism. However, that being said, they are also not the kind of books that stay with the reader, at least not me. They are sort of in one ear, out the ear type of books. And that's fine. Sometimes, what we actually want is a temporary palate cleanser or an escape and Jackie Lau book are great for that.
BUT. You knew that was coming. The problem comes when there is a main character introduced who has some kind of past trauma or emotional issue. I think mentioning it in passing is not a great approach and while in this book, the hero, Mike, has grown up with parents who emotionally abused him which in turn led him to seeking therapy and unable to find happiness and fulfillment in longterm relationships, I feel like there is more time spent having the characters banter about their respective preferences in cider flavors than in delving into Mike's past. It's very much mentioned in passing, with Mike sharing little stories about how awful his parents are and casually mentioning he's had therapy and perhaps he needs more. And while I appreciate that the author doesn't pretend that everything is wonderful and magically fixed at the end, I do wish she'd spent more time delving into how Mike's upbringing informed his present day emotional issues.