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A review by tasleemreads
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I could not put this book down! The perfect read to get me out of my slump.
Following Lydia's death, her Chinese American family struggle to cope and understand how this has happened. #EverythingINeverToldYou flits between the past and present to explore how Lydia's parents, James and Marilyn, first met. It explores the personal struggles they went through and how this affects their relationship with each other and their children. Lydia, the middle child, recipient of all her mother's attention and misplaced dreams. Nate, the oldest child who struggles to secure any attention or praise from his parents before their attention returns to Lydia. Lastly, Hannah, the quiet child who is rarely addressed or spoken to but notices the little things which are often overlooked and carry the heaviest meanings.
I'm surprised at how I could empathise and personally relate to each child's struggles despite their differences. The depth of these character was so thought out, kudos to Celeste Ng for always hitting it out of the park!
Following Lydia's death, her Chinese American family struggle to cope and understand how this has happened. #EverythingINeverToldYou flits between the past and present to explore how Lydia's parents, James and Marilyn, first met. It explores the personal struggles they went through and how this affects their relationship with each other and their children. Lydia, the middle child, recipient of all her mother's attention and misplaced dreams. Nate, the oldest child who struggles to secure any attention or praise from his parents before their attention returns to Lydia. Lastly, Hannah, the quiet child who is rarely addressed or spoken to but notices the little things which are often overlooked and carry the heaviest meanings.
I'm surprised at how I could empathise and personally relate to each child's struggles despite their differences. The depth of these character was so thought out, kudos to Celeste Ng for always hitting it out of the park!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism