Scan barcode
A review by ziyuelan
Love, Decoded by Jennifer Yen
2.0
Personally this was kind of a let down. I don’t know if it was the cliche stereotypical parts that bothered me, but I found myself kind inwardly rolling my eyes cause of it. I will say this though. This kind of obvious multicultural representation in YA is much needed and something that I am sure my younger self would’ve loved so much. And for that single reason, I wanna recommend it because the story itself isn’t bad. It’s just not amazing.
The whole story focuses on the typical over-achiever-wants-to-be-valedictorian Chinese American. However she’s rich. And while she isn’t exactly snobbish or entitled, many of the things she says and the ways she acts makes you realize that she’s lived a privileged life. Even being Chinese doesn’t make her feel less than or is discriminated against because of it. And while I don’t wish that, this kind of representation feels a little bit idealized.
The author does mention or broaches topics such as being non-white, the disparity between poor and rich, and being half something and half something else and how that can be difficult. And while it’s not the main topic of this book, it’s talked about in a way that is kind of brushed upon. Because the reality of things (which I’m guessing the author wanted it to be as realistic as possible since she added COVID and the racism the Asian community faced during and post) isn’t as perfect.
And I mostly blame that on the fact that she lives in a bubble of wealth. And no matter what, money will often allow you to not have to go through the same hurdles as others that look the same as you. But I can’t even blame it on that because her best friend, Kyle, who is also part of that wealthy bubble is much more aware than she is. And yes she does learn and stands up in the end for what’s right, I just had a hard time connecting with her as a character.
I’m not saying every Asian character written should be trying to break down the stereotypes or trying to be an icon of representation, but there are some very obvious white-washing aspects that mixed into this story which could’ve been so easily avoided.
The whole story focuses on the typical over-achiever-wants-to-be-valedictorian Chinese American. However she’s rich. And while she isn’t exactly snobbish or entitled, many of the things she says and the ways she acts makes you realize that she’s lived a privileged life. Even being Chinese doesn’t make her feel less than or is discriminated against because of it. And while I don’t wish that, this kind of representation feels a little bit idealized.
The author does mention or broaches topics such as being non-white, the disparity between poor and rich, and being half something and half something else and how that can be difficult. And while it’s not the main topic of this book, it’s talked about in a way that is kind of brushed upon. Because the reality of things (which I’m guessing the author wanted it to be as realistic as possible since she added COVID and the racism the Asian community faced during and post) isn’t as perfect.
And I mostly blame that on the fact that she lives in a bubble of wealth. And no matter what, money will often allow you to not have to go through the same hurdles as others that look the same as you. But I can’t even blame it on that because her best friend, Kyle, who is also part of that wealthy bubble is much more aware than she is. And yes she does learn and stands up in the end for what’s right, I just had a hard time connecting with her as a character.
I’m not saying every Asian character written should be trying to break down the stereotypes or trying to be an icon of representation, but there are some very obvious white-washing aspects that mixed into this story which could’ve been so easily avoided.