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nadia's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Loved the structure and "meta" nature of this book. I didn't quite grasp everything but I was very here for the whole concept of this book. I'd never given that much thought to the Asian American identity struggle and this was such an inventive way to explore it against the backdrops of White America and Black America. It definitely gave me a lot of food for thought!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and War
Minor: Gun violence
legs_n_chins's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fantastic read. I loved the formatting and style the most, probably. It was engaging and really heightened the surrealism feel of the whole story. I think presenting it as a screenplay is really commentary all its own and it made the story itself more effective. It took me a minute, but teasing out the story that was layered into the “script” was very fun.
I really appreciated the stark lens on Chinese history in America that was presented in the book. It’s something I’ve always been aware of, as someone of Chinese descent, but I never really learned in a lot of detail the facts and timelines that Yu brought up in the final part of the book. It was interesting to read the experience of the main character because some of it was familiar from my own life, but at the same time it was new to me as I’m not first generation myself. I also particularly liked the commentary around Karen as a mixed-race Asian American, and the commentary around the sort of dichotomy between Black and Asian communities. I thought it was all very well presented and fit well in the story.
I really still can’t get over the style, it was just so, so cool. And so much fun to read. I would say at least half of why I liked this so much was because of that writing style. I think it’s very original and so creative and works perfectly for the story.
I really appreciated the stark lens on Chinese history in America that was presented in the book. It’s something I’ve always been aware of, as someone of Chinese descent, but I never really learned in a lot of detail the facts and timelines that Yu brought up in the final part of the book. It was interesting to read the experience of the main character because some of it was familiar from my own life, but at the same time it was new to me as I’m not first generation myself. I also particularly liked the commentary around Karen as a mixed-race Asian American, and the commentary around the sort of dichotomy between Black and Asian communities. I thought it was all very well presented and fit well in the story.
I really still can’t get over the style, it was just so, so cool. And so much fun to read. I would say at least half of why I liked this so much was because of that writing style. I think it’s very original and so creative and works perfectly for the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Genocide, Violence, and War
siebensommer's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Watching her is like finding old letters, of things you knew thirty years ago and haven't thought of since.. How to feel, how to be yourself. Not how to
perform or act. How to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Racial slurs, Violence, War, and Racism
elizabeth_lepore's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Hate crime, and Xenophobia
Moderate: War, Gun violence, Death, and Violence
readingwithcoffee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual harassment, Racial slurs, Murder, War, and Colonisation
michaelion's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
🎬RE👏🏾PRE🎬SEN👏🏾TA🎬TION👏🏾 🎬MAT👏🏾TERS🎬 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 REPRESENTATION MATTERS !!!
One of the best details that gave it extra points is that it's about the same time reading as it would be for an actual script for a regular feature length film. 5 stars for the audiobook. Of the few audiobooks I've listened to, they're produced very dry, just a persom reading to you, but this one has sounds effects and little fun details that make the already vibrant story really come alive.
One of the best details that gave it extra points is that it's about the same time reading as it would be for an actual script for a regular feature length film. 5 stars for the audiobook. Of the few audiobooks I've listened to, they're produced very dry, just a persom reading to you, but this one has sounds effects and little fun details that make the already vibrant story really come alive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Hate crime, Racism, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Death, Sexual harassment, Chronic illness, Police brutality, Misogyny, and Death of parent
Minor: Hate crime, Slavery, Alcoholism, Deportation, War, and Xenophobia
lindzt18's review
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime
Moderate: Racism
Minor: War
qtcarolyn's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Dementia, Racial slurs, War, and Gun violence
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