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hannahbla's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
nic_m_hud's review against another edition
2.0
This book should really be 2.5 stars, it falls in the middle because, while I can enjoy the language and style of the author, I personally did not like this story. Basically Ari was super hard for me to sympathize with. Is she depressed because she's adopted? Is she depressed because she doesn't have a father? Is she depressed because somehow she's afraid her adopted mother is going to abandon her? She didn't seem to enjoy Bangkok yet she plans to go back- she is aimless and makes poor choices and I just can't relate to her. I seems like many people who enjoy this book are adoptees as well - so obviously my review is totally subjective and possibly I'm just to close-minded in this regards. The story was pretty sloppy though, changing view points far to often. I really don't like the change from first-person (Ari) to third person (Les & Charlie).
This is yet again another NPR "Best of 2014" book and I'm wondering whats wrong with me because I don't think I've given one a higher than 4 star rating. For the most part they have all been "eh".
This is yet again another NPR "Best of 2014" book and I'm wondering whats wrong with me because I don't think I've given one a higher than 4 star rating. For the most part they have all been "eh".
margaretefg's review
3.0
As an adoptive mother, there are plenty of ouch moments reading this book, when Charlie, the Chinese American, public defender single mother says something that sounds so off key; selfish, clueless, all the other things that probably any parent can say, but that seems particularly easy for adoptive parents. So part of this book is like watching someone make versions of mistakes I have made myself, it's like picking a scab. On the other hand, some of Ma's description of Ari's quest to figure out her connection to family and to China made me wonder what she knew about adoption. Other reviewers are better positioned to comment on the literary qualities, for me the adoption theme was too salient. Some readers found the book rambling, but I enjoyed the journeys of different characters (to Alaska, Hangzhou and other parts of China), as well as in life and work. The stories don't all resolve by the end, but it seemed more focused on Ari's high school to whatever's next transition and how that rippled out to her mother, aunt and grandmother.
lisagray68's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, about the coming of age of a girl adopted from China. Having not been adopted, I can't totally enter in to the feelings of those who are, but this book is a great story about what it's like. I liked all the characters and story development. Wonderful for a first novel, I look forward to more from Kathryn Ma!!
lindseycstraub's review
4.0
Told in alternating chapters by four different women in the Kong family; Each one has her own voice and they bring the story together. Ma writes about San Francisco, Alaska and China so vividly that the locations become characters themselves. Surprising and moving.
Received this in a Goodreads/First Reads giveaway.
Received this in a Goodreads/First Reads giveaway.
morepeachyogurt's review
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
i really couldn’t understand aris motivations for her actions which made reading very frustrating
lindseyjo's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I did not enjoy this read, to be honest. I did not find any of the characters particularly likeable, and didn’t care for Ari, the main character, at all.
Ari is adopted from a Chinese orphanage by a Chinese-American woman, but she is haunted by feelings of abandonment, feeling unfulfilled, and is always searching for something to make it better.
I think I skimmed the last 60 pages at least, and there was some actual forward-moving action there, too! I wish I had enjoyed this more. Sometimes, I feel like I don’t read deeply enough to enjoy contemporary books that are deemed “Literature” - and this definitely felt like one of those books. Themes are prevalent throughout - duty to family, duty to self, duty to others, identity; I can’t really put my finger on why I didn’t enjoy it. 🤷🏼♀️
Ari is adopted from a Chinese orphanage by a Chinese-American woman, but she is haunted by feelings of abandonment, feeling unfulfilled, and is always searching for something to make it better.
I think I skimmed the last 60 pages at least, and there was some actual forward-moving action there, too! I wish I had enjoyed this more. Sometimes, I feel like I don’t read deeply enough to enjoy contemporary books that are deemed “Literature” - and this definitely felt like one of those books. Themes are prevalent throughout - duty to family, duty to self, duty to others, identity; I can’t really put my finger on why I didn’t enjoy it. 🤷🏼♀️
mackinseyjoy's review
2.0
I enjoyed how Kathryn Ma tried to cover the stories of three distinct Chinese-American women, each with unique experiences that shape their opinions and worldview. I especially enjoyed reading about Gran, a highly educated woman who saw American educational institutions as a way to escape her trauma of war-torn China, and the painful memories she left behind. Se goes on to raise two daughters who become lawyers. Lesley "Les", the powerful prosecutor, and Charlotte "Charlie", the bleeding heart public defender.
Ari, the main character, is trapped between the very "by the book" parenting of her mother, Charlie, and her desire to forge her own identity. You can feel Ari's pain as she tries increasingly dangerous methods to be seen, not just as an adoptee, not just as a Han Chinese girl, but as a whole person. I felt a lot of pain for Ari and Charlie, because I felt that they were both trying. Their efforts were just not connecting with each other. There are a lot of criticisms of Ari's behavior toward her adoptive mother Charlie, but to me, Charlie comes off as a Western Savior which would probably drive me crazy too. There were a lot of moments when she makes parenting decisions that seem disconnected with the human experience of parenting. Les even comments on this in the book.
There are times that the narrative gets a little heavy handed, and I think the characters become unlikable and one dimensional to prove a point, but the point is still valid. I learned a lot about adoption, and had to really think about how confusing that experience must be.
Ari, the main character, is trapped between the very "by the book" parenting of her mother, Charlie, and her desire to forge her own identity. You can feel Ari's pain as she tries increasingly dangerous methods to be seen, not just as an adoptee, not just as a Han Chinese girl, but as a whole person. I felt a lot of pain for Ari and Charlie, because I felt that they were both trying. Their efforts were just not connecting with each other. There are a lot of criticisms of Ari's behavior toward her adoptive mother Charlie, but to me, Charlie comes off as a Western Savior which would probably drive me crazy too. There were a lot of moments when she makes parenting decisions that seem disconnected with the human experience of parenting. Les even comments on this in the book.
There are times that the narrative gets a little heavy handed, and I think the characters become unlikable and one dimensional to prove a point, but the point is still valid. I learned a lot about adoption, and had to really think about how confusing that experience must be.