Reviews

The Chinese Groove by Kathryn Ma

Only show reviews with written explanations

larocquenroll's review

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? N/A

4.25

LOVED this one. While I enjoy reading unlikable narrators and have been doing that quite a bit lately, I loved the purity, optimism, naivety, and humor of Shelley. I kept telling my partner about the book, saying "Oh no, I can just tell something bad is going to happen because this character is so optimistic" or "Ok, things are definitely going to fall apart now! He's in too deep and is still so cheerful!" But really nothing disastrously bad ever did happen, largely because Shelley's optimism, hope, and kindness got him through a lot of shit that another character might fall apart over. His adaptability and plasticity let him roll with the punches. This was such a feel good book, full of humor and sweetness without ever feeling cheesy or saccharine. If you want a low-stakes book about found family and friendship that will make you smile, this is it.

cdbellomy's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

br00k3a133n's review

Go to review page

adventurous funny 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

2.0

lingfish7's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? No

4.25

🎧This book was so touching and sweet. It’s very character driven and has so many moments of depth, grief, humor, and hope.

It’s written in first person from the POV of a an 18 year old Chinese immigrant in 2015 who comes to America from a poor upbringing in China. His father buys him a plane ticket to California so he can pursue the American dream and start by taking college classes. He goes by the English name Shelley and truly believes that he can become a poet in the U.S. because his family told him poets make good money there. His aunties told him that he has a rich uncle in California who owns a department store business so he goes to stay with them for a week.

It turns out poets are not rich and his “uncle” (who is really a second cousin) is a freelancing ghost writer who is mourning the loss of his mother and son. The store they owned was just a corner shop grocery store and it was sold after his mom died. Shelley soon learns that his family is still fractured by this grief and ever the optimist he tries to help.

This book was touching and unique. All of the characters felt so real. I highly recommend the audiobook which was excellently narrated.

sophiem14's review

Go to review page

3.0

I was told this was a playful happy novel, so I was very disappointed at what it actually turned out to be! some of it was interesting and sweet, but overall I did not find this that enjoyable and the last three chapters or so kind of ruined the whole book for me.