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A review by saarahn
Dear Friend, From My Life I Write to You in Your Life by Yiyun Li
3.0
Sincere
This is a book that is not for everyone. Li writes of her life, the choices she's made, for example why she chose to leave medicine and start writing. There are also harder subjects, such as suicide, her mental health, and the criticism she's faced as a writer for her refusal to write in Chinese or have her work translated in Chinese.
I had never heard of this author before reading this book, so a lot of her words didn't touch me as they would if I were a dedicated reader of her work. This is partially the reason for my rating. The other reason is that she writes of literature she's read, literature that has influenced her. The fact that I wasn't familiar with some of these writers again, meant that I couldn't appreciate this book as much as I'd have liked.
Aside from all that, I did like that Li refused to write in that autobiographical, chronological, prose that has become so common. She adapts a more casual, conversational, tone as though she is, like all of us, still figuring things out. She still has questions. And lessons she wishes to share such as, perhaps the most crucial, don't make quick judgements without understanding.
I did like this book for the issues Yiyun Li raises and for her willingness to share her reasons for writing, publicly. It's a difficult choice to make, that of abandoning one career for one that is nothing short of uncertain. I admire her courage and, I do plan to read her other work.
I received this book through NetGalley.
This is a book that is not for everyone. Li writes of her life, the choices she's made, for example why she chose to leave medicine and start writing. There are also harder subjects, such as suicide, her mental health, and the criticism she's faced as a writer for her refusal to write in Chinese or have her work translated in Chinese.
I had never heard of this author before reading this book, so a lot of her words didn't touch me as they would if I were a dedicated reader of her work. This is partially the reason for my rating. The other reason is that she writes of literature she's read, literature that has influenced her. The fact that I wasn't familiar with some of these writers again, meant that I couldn't appreciate this book as much as I'd have liked.
Aside from all that, I did like that Li refused to write in that autobiographical, chronological, prose that has become so common. She adapts a more casual, conversational, tone as though she is, like all of us, still figuring things out. She still has questions. And lessons she wishes to share such as, perhaps the most crucial, don't make quick judgements without understanding.
I did like this book for the issues Yiyun Li raises and for her willingness to share her reasons for writing, publicly. It's a difficult choice to make, that of abandoning one career for one that is nothing short of uncertain. I admire her courage and, I do plan to read her other work.
I received this book through NetGalley.