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A review by half_bloodreader
Our Wayward Fate by Gloria Chao
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
"My mom believes in magic penises.
Because at the moment she was saying for the umpteenth time, “If you had been a boy, things would be different.” The problem wasn’t my genitals—it was my mother’s outdated belief that boys were better. Plus, it wasn’t my fault Dad’s X sperm had been faster than the Y."
If that isn't a strong beginning to a book!
"I couldn’t stand the stereotypes this town projected onto my family and me, but what did it mean that a lot of them were true? Not just for me, but now also for Chase?"
This book explores:
- growing up as a teen POC in a majorly white Midwestern town
- stereotypes & racism, microaggressions
- miscommunication between parents & children, especially children of immigrants who don't wholly feel like they belong anywhere
- strains created by secrets & sacrifices, and how they affect relationships/family
- Asian identity pride
"I’d find a way to be with Chase. After all, what was one more secret in this family of hidden truths and buried emotions?"
You all know I'm not into Insta Love (just add pheromones and mix!), but although it was that kind, the attraction made sense in this context. Ali and Chase effortlessly find a connection in their love for Martial Arts, puns, and frustration with the casual racism in their community and the lack of communication & openness within their families. A connection within loneliness, especially for Ali who has been living isolated from any other Asian teens who understand her experience, self-erasing instead. Chase encourages her to stop holding back and confront the casual racists & ignorant bigots.
"Our family had been drowning in cerulean blue for generations, playing telephone when we didn’t have to and leaking truth with every person added to the chain. So much had already been lost; I wanted to plug all the holes and scream at everyone to just fucking learn to communicate… but I was just as guilty. I didn’t know how to talk to any of them"
Ali tirelessly pursues the truth with a tenacity I applaud, as well as every time she acknowledges and self-checks like this moment "Well, that’d teach me to be the same kind of stereotypical ass I complained about."
Her moments with Bógōng were so touching 😭
Because at the moment she was saying for the umpteenth time, “If you had been a boy, things would be different.” The problem wasn’t my genitals—it was my mother’s outdated belief that boys were better. Plus, it wasn’t my fault Dad’s X sperm had been faster than the Y."
If that isn't a strong beginning to a book!
"I couldn’t stand the stereotypes this town projected onto my family and me, but what did it mean that a lot of them were true? Not just for me, but now also for Chase?"
This book explores:
- growing up as a teen POC in a majorly white Midwestern town
- stereotypes & racism, microaggressions
- miscommunication between parents & children, especially children of immigrants who don't wholly feel like they belong anywhere
- strains created by secrets & sacrifices, and how they affect relationships/family
- Asian identity pride
"I’d find a way to be with Chase. After all, what was one more secret in this family of hidden truths and buried emotions?"
You all know I'm not into Insta Love (just add pheromones and mix!), but although it was that kind, the attraction made sense in this context. Ali and Chase effortlessly find a connection in their love for Martial Arts, puns, and frustration with the casual racism in their community and the lack of communication & openness within their families. A connection within loneliness, especially for Ali who has been living isolated from any other Asian teens who understand her experience, self-erasing instead. Chase encourages her to stop holding back and confront the casual racists & ignorant bigots.
"Our family had been drowning in cerulean blue for generations, playing telephone when we didn’t have to and leaking truth with every person added to the chain. So much had already been lost; I wanted to plug all the holes and scream at everyone to just fucking learn to communicate… but I was just as guilty. I didn’t know how to talk to any of them"
Ali tirelessly pursues the truth with a tenacity I applaud, as well as every time she acknowledges and self-checks like this moment "Well, that’d teach me to be the same kind of stereotypical ass I complained about."
Her moments with Bógōng were so touching 😭