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A review by maria_hossain
The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim
5.0
Wow wow wow wow wow!
Just finished this brilliant book. Honestly I was not expecting that bittersweet ending. But it was so realistic and honest I just... I wish I could give the author a round of applause. Like truly. She did not end it as if mental illness could be magically overnight cured. It can't be.
The notion itself is so harmful and toxic. And she shows everything with such raw honesty. The protagonist, 16yo Anna's journey is not just coming into terms with her mom's mental illnesses but also to mental illnesses in general. The love interest has it. He's better now but doesn't mean he is magically cured of it for good. Her classmate's grandmother has it. But doesn't mean it'll be magically cured by admitting her to special care. But the author shows us how as a family, we can be supportive and understanding. How we can support them through the perils mentally ill folks go through all the time and help them face the fights. The epilogue, oh gosh, it broke my heart but for the good reasons. I'm so happy and sad at the same time. But that's okay. That is reality, that is life and author Wai Chim did not shy away from showing the grey grim reality of having a family member with mental illnesses and how we can help them through everything.
I'd heartily recommend this brilliant piece of a masterpiece. Pick it up if you're looking for heart-rending but realistically and honest portrayals of mental illness.
Just finished this brilliant book. Honestly I was not expecting that bittersweet ending. But it was so realistic and honest I just... I wish I could give the author a round of applause. Like truly. She did not end it as if mental illness could be magically overnight cured. It can't be.
The notion itself is so harmful and toxic. And she shows everything with such raw honesty. The protagonist, 16yo Anna's journey is not just coming into terms with her mom's mental illnesses but also to mental illnesses in general. The love interest has it. He's better now but doesn't mean he is magically cured of it for good. Her classmate's grandmother has it. But doesn't mean it'll be magically cured by admitting her to special care. But the author shows us how as a family, we can be supportive and understanding. How we can support them through the perils mentally ill folks go through all the time and help them face the fights. The epilogue, oh gosh, it broke my heart but for the good reasons. I'm so happy and sad at the same time. But that's okay. That is reality, that is life and author Wai Chim did not shy away from showing the grey grim reality of having a family member with mental illnesses and how we can help them through everything.
I'd heartily recommend this brilliant piece of a masterpiece. Pick it up if you're looking for heart-rending but realistically and honest portrayals of mental illness.