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differentsisters's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book is weird but a good what am I reading weird. I really related at moments to this book. Is it for everyone? Noooooo. But for the right people this hits that spot that no other book can hit.
But seriously… wtf was some of this book!!
But seriously… wtf was some of this book!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Body horror
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Racial slurs
eling's review against another edition
3.0
Took a hiatus from my other stalled reading and picked this up. Enjoyed it, not surprised but pleased as I wasn't sure what to expect. A lot of the references and emotions resonated with me, would be interested to hear what those not of Asian background thought and/or felt while reading this. I think the author's poetry background are pretty obvious, and may mean that I would either get more out of this (or be more annoyed) with a more in-depth reading.
feronstost's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting. The narrative was nonlinear and uncohesive. I feel like the author went out of her way to make her audience uncomfortable. However, she says early in the book that how you take this will depend on your "race, creed, hair color, social and economic class and political prolclivities" (16). I certainly had a different perspective on this book than an Asian-American would. Even as someone who was born male, I had a different perspective than a born female would. Overall I enjoyed it.
shanbro's review against another edition
4.0
It reads more like a collection of short stories instead of a novel; there's a lot of jumping around in time and point of view. Most chapters are hilarious and insightful. I took advantage of the notes Chin added at the back of the book to add to my understanding of the others because several references escaped me. All in all, a fun read.
qingyigeshu's review
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
This would’ve been great if the length was shortened by half. The same jokes are repeated and do get old, even if there are some great chapters here.
beccas_books's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. I was really more prepared for a full novel, but this is 41 short stories that offer a close look into the lives of twins Moonie and Mei Ling Wong as they grow up with their grandmother at the family Chinese restaurant. It was really interesting, and everything was loosely connected. Since some stories seemed to be more grounded and others were more fantastical, it was hard to discern what was real and what wasn't. Which I guess was entirely the point, but at the same time it made for a more disjointed reading experience than I'm used to. The writing was great, though!
mxsunny's review against another edition
4.0
This is not your grandmother's Asian American immigrant story. This is (as another reviewer put it) sexy, witty, poetic, and profane. It's not a straightforward narrative and there's a quite a bit retelling of Buddhist and zen stories. You might especially enjoy it if you're a Chinese American academic swimming in bullshit, a rebellious former or current immigrant girlchild, or a lover of the profane.
happymagiclamp's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
umbreen's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this. It was hilarious, and it managed to reveal important truths amongst its dry witticisms.
maedo's review against another edition
Some nice things in the 30 pages I read, but way too contemporary for my taste.