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A review by kathrynjl
Tastes Like War: A Memoir by Grace M. Cho
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
In Tastes Like War, Grace Cho reflects on her mother’s life through their shared memories and experiences of food. This is a compelling and informative memoir that expertly situates Cho’s mother’s personal experiences in a broader cultural context of racism, misogyny, colonialism.
Reading this, it’s clear that Cho is an academic and a sociologist, but the book isn’t dense or overly theoretical. At times, I did find it hard to get through due to the sheer sadness and injustice in the story, but Cho’s details and descriptions are never gory or unnecessary. This book made me think, feel, and learn, so overall it’s a big recommend from me.
I read this book for The StoryGraph’s Genre Challenge 2024 (prompt: a nonfiction book about food and/or drink).
Reading this, it’s clear that Cho is an academic and a sociologist, but the book isn’t dense or overly theoretical. At times, I did find it hard to get through due to the sheer sadness and injustice in the story, but Cho’s details and descriptions are never gory or unnecessary. This book made me think, feel, and learn, so overall it’s a big recommend from me.
I read this book for The StoryGraph’s Genre Challenge 2024 (prompt: a nonfiction book about food and/or drink).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Excrement, Genocide, Racial slurs, Death of parent, Racism, Slavery, Rape, Suicide, Suicide attempt, War, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Sexism, Colonisation, and Death