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jambsie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tmarts's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
3.0
I expected more from How to pronounce knife. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed short story collections before; the moving [b:The Secret Lives of Church Ladies|51582376|The Secret Lives of Church Ladies|Deesha Philyaw|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1596947858l/51582376._SY75_.jpg|76186482] captured me in each page, [b:Lips Touch: Three Times|6369113|Lips Touch Three Times|Laini Taylor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1341175359l/6369113._SX50_.jpg|6556598] gave me more of Laini Taylor's evocative writing.
These stories center around Lao immigrants and their children. It portrays family relationships, marginalization and yearning for connections. The writing wasn't the problem here; it was the format. The stories are too short and end abruptly right when the author gives us a glimpse of the characters' intentions and feelings. Each chapter left me with many questions unanswered, not as a pleasant surprise but rather wondering what the message was. In some instances it felt as if the author shoved the meaning in your face, while others seemed to have been written without a plan for what she wanted to happen. The characters felt like strangers and since the writing focused more on the setting (for example a workplace, a neighbourhood or a home), the stories rarely ever left a lasting impression on me.
The second half of the book was more enjoyable to me, this is where we get the lengthier stories that focus on a few selected characters. Slingshot details a confusing relationship between an elderly woman and a young woman. That piece was my favorite, as I could feel the raw emotion and loneliness. Randy Travis and Picking Worms also stood out. Mani Pedi was frankly a chore to read, as half of the dialogue is the main character's sister screaming at him. It became tiresome. All of the stories had moments with great potential that needed to be explored further, just a few more pages, more explanations.
I would gladly read a full-length novel by Thammavongsa because I can tell she has talent, but I don't think she pulled off the short story format.
These stories center around Lao immigrants and their children. It portrays family relationships, marginalization and yearning for connections. The writing wasn't the problem here; it was the format. The stories are too short and end abruptly right when the author gives us a glimpse of the characters' intentions and feelings. Each chapter left me with many questions unanswered, not as a pleasant surprise but rather wondering what the message was. In some instances it felt as if the author shoved the meaning in your face, while others seemed to have been written without a plan for what she wanted to happen. The characters felt like strangers and since the writing focused more on the setting (for example a workplace, a neighbourhood or a home), the stories rarely ever left a lasting impression on me.
The second half of the book was more enjoyable to me, this is where we get the lengthier stories that focus on a few selected characters. Slingshot details a confusing relationship between an elderly woman and a young woman. That piece was my favorite, as I could feel the raw emotion and loneliness. Randy Travis and Picking Worms also stood out. Mani Pedi was frankly a chore to read, as half of the dialogue is the main character's sister screaming at him. It became tiresome. All of the stories had moments with great potential that needed to be explored further, just a few more pages, more explanations.
I would gladly read a full-length novel by Thammavongsa because I can tell she has talent, but I don't think she pulled off the short story format.
fi_chince's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
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? No
3.5
janethevirgin46's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
millhousethecat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I always struggle to review short story collections, but these stories so clearly have a through line that keeps them all connected, making a review easier. But be warned: these short stories are sparse and honest and unforgiving.
Each one is about a Laotian immigrant family trying to make a home here, in the United States. So far from home, there’s so much that’s indecipherable for them.
For example, in the title story, a young girl, the closest to proficient English speaker in her family, has little help with school work. When she finds the word “knife” in her assignment, she has no tools to figure out the pronunciation and asks her father for help. A simple exchange results in a messy end.
And they’re all like this; the desire to hold on to what you know and miss from home while trying to fit into a new world creates endless difficulties. There’s loneliness to contend with, social hierarchies to deconstruct, idioms to understand, cultural clashes to endure — and all of it described viscerally, wrenchingly. It’s devastating in its depth of feeling.
As a teacher in a school with many students whose families are refugees, it provided me with insight I’ve not had before. Highly recommend.
Each one is about a Laotian immigrant family trying to make a home here, in the United States. So far from home, there’s so much that’s indecipherable for them.
For example, in the title story, a young girl, the closest to proficient English speaker in her family, has little help with school work. When she finds the word “knife” in her assignment, she has no tools to figure out the pronunciation and asks her father for help. A simple exchange results in a messy end.
And they’re all like this; the desire to hold on to what you know and miss from home while trying to fit into a new world creates endless difficulties. There’s loneliness to contend with, social hierarchies to deconstruct, idioms to understand, cultural clashes to endure — and all of it described viscerally, wrenchingly. It’s devastating in its depth of feeling.
As a teacher in a school with many students whose families are refugees, it provided me with insight I’ve not had before. Highly recommend.
veganheathen's review against another edition
5.0
For some reason, I thought this would be stories all told in one voice. Instead, the stories are all told from different refugees/immigrants from Laos. This book reminded me a bit of Scarborough in that these stories aren't usually the ones being told, from people who are often not seen by the more privileged in our country.
paigetry's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
artytay's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
takumo_n's review against another edition
2.0
Writers workshop polished stories. Too selfimportant to be any good.