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kkayla113 's review for:
Joan Is Okay
by Weike Wang
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've been meaning to read this for awhile because I loved Chemistry. While I enjoyed this book, I do prefer Chemistry? The narrators are extremely similar in attitude and tone, but Chemistry's narrator felt... sharper? Joan is older and more settled in her accomplishments and identity than Chemistry's narrator, but they both have difficulties with relating to other people and interacting with their families. While Chemistry's narrator was more relatable in her unsure direction for life (and closer to myself in age), I found Joan extremely relatable still and very funny (even if she doesn't intend to be). Wang's dry humor and matter-of-fact narration is something I can always turn to.
Generally, I dislike media that talk about the pandemic- many feel either overdramatic or just out of touch with reality. Therefore I was pleasantly surprised with how this turned out. Maybe because this is from the perspective of an ICU doctor? It felt like a love letter to health care workers and essential workers during these times. Their sacrifices coupled with Joan's straightforward voice really captures a sense of "it is what it is" in a way I really appreciated. Idk it just felt like ah this is reality. On that note, I wish we got more on the ending since it felt a little abrupt. I loved the ending scene but it felt a bit like it came from nowhere.
Generally, I dislike media that talk about the pandemic- many feel either overdramatic or just out of touch with reality. Therefore I was pleasantly surprised with how this turned out. Maybe because this is from the perspective of an ICU doctor? It felt like a love letter to health care workers and essential workers during these times. Their sacrifices coupled with Joan's straightforward voice really captures a sense of "it is what it is" in a way I really appreciated. Idk it just felt like ah this is reality. On that note, I wish we got more on the ending since it felt a little abrupt. I loved the ending scene but it felt a bit like it came from nowhere.