A review by poetrynati
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

Hers was tougher than tough love.

No one can accuse this book of being bland. It's full of feeling and sensations, not all of them usual and some uncomfortable, but many warm and delicious. Like Korean food, I'd say.

It was hard to swallow at times, though. My experience with an abusive (and I need to use that word, because tough love is only love to a point) mother is fresh and still happening nowadays. I don't have the luxury of being able to put any space between me and her like the author, so I felt everything very vividly. I disagree with her thoughts that it was all only a matter of cultural difference. As a latina, I'm well familiar with what she was talking about, but abuse is abuse whether it comes with a colorful cultural background or not. I hope one day Michelle finds healing and stops craving to be like her mother, especially if she herself decides to have children someday.

That all being said, I still loved this book. It made me hungry, for Korean food but also for love and family affection. For embracing your cultural roots. And music, too. Japanese Breakfast is a fantastic band and I'm glad I found out about it reading this.

Read as part of the lovey dovey book club. 
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