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bites_of_books's review against another edition
4.5
I had no previous knowledge of Hua Hsu but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of his memoir, it goes into a young Taiwanese American man's life as he navigates his journey through college. He strives to be alternative and fully outside of the mainstream, which was quite enjoyable for me. His passion for writing starts with putting together zines about his favorite subjects, mainly music.
I really enjoyed learning about his participation in activism around campus and the history of activism during various times in history. I didn't enjoy the philosophy sections as much, but that's just a personal preference.
Overall I'd recommend the audio since it also allowed me to hear the emotions in certain sections of the book, which made it even more powerful.
Graphic: Confinement, Grief, Drug use, Kidnapping, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, and Murder
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Death, Cursing, Dysphoria, Grief, Gun violence, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Murder, Drug use, Cultural appropriation, Racism, Alcohol, and Hate crime
Minor: Racial slurs, Bullying, Sexual content, and Antisemitism
misssleepy's review against another edition
4.0
This book was interesting. It was relatable in the way that the author reflected on his first few years of college. I think that is a time where most of us try to find ourselves and we form new friendships with people. Even though the author and his friend Ken had their differences, their friendship was a product of the expropriation of finding oneself in the world.
This book was heartbreaking. Just as the author struggles to cope with the nonsensical acts of violence that took his friends life, I found myself as the reader struggling to cope. Fucked up things just happen. I think that’s one of the most difficult things in life to come to terms with, and the author was very transparent about that.
The latter part of the book was definitely the most engrossing. Hearing how he coped with the trauma, how he struggled with his feelings and even questioned his own role in Ken’s life. I think putting the story to paper was very powerful. His message to stay true was a simple and powerful one.
Moderate: Gun violence
maricela's review
Moderate: Murder, Gun violence, and Violence
chupacabra2000's review
3.0
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Gun violence
Minor: Drug use
thewellreadmrs's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Alcohol, Hate crime, Racism, Gun violence, Murder, Kidnapping, Death, Drug use, and Bullying
laughingrevolution's review
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence and Murder
maydaypu's review
5.0
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Racism and Racial slurs
readingpicnic's review
4.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Gun violence, and Murder
sajetheherb's review
3.5
Graphic: Death, Racism, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence