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A review by mischief_in_the_library
American Panda by Gloria Chao
2.0
I feel like there has been a spate of first-generation American stories lately, that offer a really exciting glimpse into a different culture, but ultimately fall a little flat for the cliche, the stereotypes, and the subpar writing. Maybe this was the case here because it felt like the conflict between Mei's traditional Tawainese upbringing and her own desire for independence was pretty much the whole story. There wasn't anything else going on, really. Her college experience created cultural conflict, her potential boyfriend was an issue because her parents disapproved, her passion (dance) was seen as not important by her parents because of the - here it is - culture. And I get that this would be a big thing in your life. But was there honestly nothing else?
This book reminded me a lot of [b:When Dimple Met Rishi|28458598|When Dimple Met Rishi|Sandhya Menon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475687488s/28458598.jpg|48593860]. Both had really interesting premises, but everything felt a bit too over the top, the cultural references felt a little forced at times, and plot points were just far too coincidental to be realistic. You don't just get to shadow a doctor because you ask nicely. That doctor will not just announce a patient's yeast infection in front of you without asking them if it's ok you're there. And that doctor who is basically the same character but 8 years in the future? (Chinese, a doctor because her parents want her to be, likes maths but didn't pursue it because of the doctor thing, literally the same germ phobia that manifests exactly the same way - the representation of this mental illness as essentially )
Lots of people enjoyed this, and liked the representation, and I think it's a valuable book for that reason. Definitely not for me, though.
This book reminded me a lot of [b:When Dimple Met Rishi|28458598|When Dimple Met Rishi|Sandhya Menon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475687488s/28458598.jpg|48593860]. Both had really interesting premises, but everything felt a bit too over the top, the cultural references felt a little forced at times, and plot points were just far too coincidental to be realistic. You don't just get to shadow a doctor because you ask nicely. That doctor will not just announce a patient's yeast infection in front of you without asking them if it's ok you're there. And that doctor who is basically the same character but 8 years in the future? (Chinese, a doctor because her parents want her to be, likes maths but didn't pursue it because of the doctor thing, literally the same germ phobia that manifests exactly the same way - the representation of this mental illness as essentially )
Lots of people enjoyed this, and liked the representation, and I think it's a valuable book for that reason. Definitely not for me, though.