A review by afi_whatafireads
Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese-American by Laura Gao

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

"My search for identity and home never tied neatly into the perfect hero's journey."

A heartrending and hopeful memoir of the author herself formed in a graphic novel. This was a book that I devoured in a few hours, and I loved how the author had wrote her story in a sense to provide a form of inclusion especially to immigrant children and Asian Americans. Whilst I can't say how much I can relate to the story, it felt like the author was telling the readers to have hope even in the midst of chaos in our minds. The sense of identity crisis that often children of immigrant parents who came to America or a white country to find work is not something out of norm. The identity crisis that the author had felt growing up, especially in her teens where the word "Home" to her is as foreign as the word "Belonging." It was the kind of crisis that will take a toll on the mental healths for most of these children, and being in an Asian Household where suppressing your feelings is more normal than talking about them it creates a sense of hostility for the person itself to their culture and especially what they are.

I loved how she also included the COVID angle and the racism and aggression that asians at the time faced, especially when the author is from Wuhan where the origin of the virus started. At the time where the virus is at its peak, the author included in how the fear of getting attacked as well as the fear for their families in Wuhan were included as well. The author showed that Wuhan is not just a place where the virus had originated, she had included the culture and how it was a beautiful city that is also filled with history, hopes and love.

The author somehow portrayed her worries but also provides us in a way that home is what we make of it. Its the people that loves us and cares for us and its not a form of country that we stay in. Home does not deter to only a place, but its of yourself and the people that loves you and whom you love.

This was a beautiful novel on self-identity and acceptance and I loved how she portrayed it in a graphic novel where children especially immigrant children can understand too. Its a book that is real and raw but also filled with hope and love.I pray to everyone who read this and can relate to these feelings to have the best and provided a safe place and safe haven of their own.

Thank you to Times Reads for generously providing me this gorgeous copy of the book.

Disclaimers: All my reviews are my thoughts of the book and according to my personal preferences. Even though I had received a review copy, it does not affect my review and honest thoughts for the book.