Scan barcode
A review by vermidian
American Panda by Gloria Chao
3.0
This is really more like 3.5 stars for me, but the 3 star rating tips the average a little closer to that.
My personal opinion is that this is a book about catharsis. This is a book written by an Asian woman for Asian girls who are feeling the struggle of breaking from tradition. I feel like this is something a number of cultures can also relate to, and that is so very important. However, this book is heavy from beginning to end. The pressure that Mei's character feels from her family is oppressive and that comes across very well in this story. For the first half of the book, there is very little joy in the story because Mei is struggling so heavily with who she is, who she loves, and who she wants to be. This is a story about personal growth, and the only way to grow is to get past what's keeping you held down. But boy is it heavy.
I will also say that this book has a lot of content that would be triggering to people. Fat shaming, for one. Slut shaming. Racism. Emotional abuse. Family related trauma. I'm sure there's more, but I can't think of them off the top of my head. Like I said, it's pretty heavy in terms of subject matter.
But, like I said, this is probably an important book for people struggling with breaking from the wishes of their parents and/or their culture. That's a hard damn thing and, as this book would tell you, keep going so that you can live to be your most authentic self.
This isn't a book I'm likely to read again, but it was worth reading.
My personal opinion is that this is a book about catharsis. This is a book written by an Asian woman for Asian girls who are feeling the struggle of breaking from tradition. I feel like this is something a number of cultures can also relate to, and that is so very important. However, this book is heavy from beginning to end. The pressure that Mei's character feels from her family is oppressive and that comes across very well in this story. For the first half of the book, there is very little joy in the story because Mei is struggling so heavily with who she is, who she loves, and who she wants to be. This is a story about personal growth, and the only way to grow is to get past what's keeping you held down. But boy is it heavy.
I will also say that this book has a lot of content that would be triggering to people. Fat shaming, for one. Slut shaming. Racism. Emotional abuse. Family related trauma. I'm sure there's more, but I can't think of them off the top of my head. Like I said, it's pretty heavy in terms of subject matter.
But, like I said, this is probably an important book for people struggling with breaking from the wishes of their parents and/or their culture. That's a hard damn thing and, as this book would tell you, keep going so that you can live to be your most authentic self.
This isn't a book I'm likely to read again, but it was worth reading.