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flamesocks's review
5.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Drug use, Grief, Car accident, Alcohol, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Medical content, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Abortion
linearev's review against another edition
4.75
However, I was not in the slightest, ready, for the heavy hitting force of the fact, that this is a self biography. A portrait of no the the Korean minority in USA but also of a complicated relationship between a mother and daughter. A generational tradition of complicated love and amazing food. It introduces the reader to the inner workings of someone who is both rather relatable as she is partly American, yet also somewhat astranged (from someone who grew up so differently). And yet, the brilliance of her writing reveals itself by letting us into her Korean side and guiding us through that world. It left me feeling both entertained yet also more knowledgeable each time I finished a chapter. Because somehow she balanced this complicated self portrait with humor which created the sort of entertainment often found in fictional books.
All to say that this was very good. It sort of reminds me of the new and popular “I’m glad my mom died” which ironically takes the opposite stance of the maternal relation between the main people, yet left me with the same feeling of stepping out of the life of someone compelling and complicated. I liked it enormously and hope to read more from her soon.
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Toxic relationship, Grief, Mental illness, Death of parent, Medical content, Vomit, and Terminal illness
archaicrobin's review against another edition
5.0
Zauner does not shy away from the difficult story of her mother’s decline and being the first line of defense and support as the cancer slowly takes her mother away. This memoir is phenomenal, heart wrenching, and beautiful. It was difficult to read at times from how bleak it is at moments, but Zauner’s prose and focus on moving on despite her loss is inspiring. I have been a fan of Japanese Breakfast for years but I am not also a dedicated fan to her as an author as well. Highly recommend reading and listing to Michell Zauner’s works!
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Grief, Medical trauma, Terminal illness, and Medical content
ieotter13's review
5.0
the haverford and bryn mawr references towards the beginning were pretty cool to know — 100% a must read for bico students
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Medical content, and Cancer
Moderate: Body shaming, Vomit, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Drug use, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, and Blood
Minor: Child abuse and Abortion
mikaylawood's review
5.0
Graphic: Medical trauma, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Cancer, and Death
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Blood, Excrement, and Animal death
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Cancer, Medical content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Abortion
Minor: Drug abuse and Physical abuse
mrsmishler's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Medical content, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Racism and Abortion
cspleenster's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Medical content and Death of parent
llams's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Medical content, Racial slurs, Terminal illness, Death, Racism, Vomit, Xenophobia, Car accident, Grief, Infidelity, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Drug use, Gore, Death of parent, Cancer, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abortion
aksmith92's review against another edition
4.5
Michelle Zauner talks about her upbringing in this memoir—she's living a decent life and recognizes that, but somehow does not get along super well with her parents, particularly her mom. I don't know about you, but as a teenage girl once, this was highly relatable.
More importantly, though, this memoir talks about Michelle's identity as a half-Korean woman, trying to find solstice and being in the food she grew up hearing about and/or eating. She struggles regularly with her identity since she barely speaks the Korean language and only visits Korea every so often. And most important, this book is about dealing with grief and, acknowledging and accepting your past, and moving on from it during traumatic times. There is no mystery or spoiler here: Michelle talks about her family's experience with her mother's cancer diagnosis.
Michelle feels real in this book. She makes decisions you question and doesn't always know the answer. However, the heart in this book is so apparent, and it is simply moving. Not to mention all the incredible references to Korean recipes—this was SO good to add.
I do feel the 50-70% dragged just a little bit, but overall, this was an incredibly captivating story about a woman finding her own identity in massive grief while leaning on some of the most amazing food recipes she can to feel in her place and with her family. Highly recommend this memoir!
Graphic: Grief, Body shaming, Cancer, Cursing, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Racism, Medical content, and Car accident
Moderate: Abortion, Alcohol, and Fatphobia
Minor: Addiction
Addiction = not described, but talked about when describing someone's past. Also implied with a potential alcohol addiction.