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nakedsushi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
The audiobook version is the superior version. Lieu's reading of her memoir was so animated and emotional. I don't think I would have liked it as much if I'd only read the print book because then I wouldn't have heard all the imitations she does of the elders.
I related to this book so much, also being a child of Chinese/Vietnamese immigrants in the 90s. This brutally honest memoir was hard to listen to sometimes because of the cringe factor (like the Cult chapters), but I still went through it quickly. My entire family, including my kid were riveted.
I related to this book so much, also being a child of Chinese/Vietnamese immigrants in the 90s. This brutally honest memoir was hard to listen to sometimes because of the cringe factor (like the Cult chapters), but I still went through it quickly. My entire family, including my kid were riveted.
michellelouise's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
kimberlyf's review against another edition
5.0
“On the last day of her life, Má, my Vietnamese refugee mother and proud owner of two nail salons, went in for plastic surgery—a tummy tuck, the narrowing of her nostrils, a chin implant—and figured she would be home the next day with her beautiful new body.”
At the age of eleven, after her mother passed from a botched plastic surgery, Lieu struggled to grieve. Raised in a family that never showed emotion or vulnerability, Lieu’s mother was hardly spoken of after her death and Lieu had to rebuild her life alone in silence. For years, Lieu wrestled with the question “why”. Her mother had it all—the American Dream, the picture-perfect life. Why would she risk it all for physically beauty?
We follow Lieu as she searches for answers about her mother, works to heal herself and her hostile relationships with family members, and works to find her place in the world as an American-raised Vietnamese woman.
Lieu’s Vietnamese roots are braided throughout this entire memoir and I found it fascinating to read about. From names and phrases to traditional Vietnamese meals and practices, I was swept away by the way Lieu wrote about her heritage. Lieu is a natural storyteller and writes in a way that makes you crave more of her words. An incredible read that will stick with me for a long time and a must read memoir for 2024.
Thank you NetGalley for my digital copy. Out 03/12/2024!
At the age of eleven, after her mother passed from a botched plastic surgery, Lieu struggled to grieve. Raised in a family that never showed emotion or vulnerability, Lieu’s mother was hardly spoken of after her death and Lieu had to rebuild her life alone in silence. For years, Lieu wrestled with the question “why”. Her mother had it all—the American Dream, the picture-perfect life. Why would she risk it all for physically beauty?
We follow Lieu as she searches for answers about her mother, works to heal herself and her hostile relationships with family members, and works to find her place in the world as an American-raised Vietnamese woman.
Lieu’s Vietnamese roots are braided throughout this entire memoir and I found it fascinating to read about. From names and phrases to traditional Vietnamese meals and practices, I was swept away by the way Lieu wrote about her heritage. Lieu is a natural storyteller and writes in a way that makes you crave more of her words. An incredible read that will stick with me for a long time and a must read memoir for 2024.
Thank you NetGalley for my digital copy. Out 03/12/2024!
anna_xu's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.0
This is an intriguing and intimate story about the author’s mother, her life, and legacy, but it also explores the author’s healing journey, her relationships with family members, and her path of self-discovery.
Even though this book delves into serious topics such as unattainable beauty standards and intergenerational trauma, the author skillfully incorporates humor throughout the narrative, creating a well-balanced tone that doesn't detract from her message.
I enjoyed the insights into the author’s daily life, such as family gatherings, running the nail salon, exploring Vietnamese cuisine, and navigating often complicated family dynamics. It was interesting to read about the different ways in which people process grief. However, I think the memoir could be a bit shorter as certain sections felt repetitive, especially toward the latter part.
There’s a lot of emphasis on spirituality and psychic abilities which didn’t resonate with me, but I still found it somewhat interesting to read about.
While I admire the author's determination to learn more about her mother and understand herself through her story, I found her conclusion—that it's best to simply “let it go”— confusing and contradictory to the rest of the story. It felt as though the more negative aspects of the story were not fully processed, and as another reader noted, the author's desire to conclude the novel with an inspirational tone, to me felt like a form of toxic positivity.
Overall, this memoir offers valuable insights into the negative consequences of unrealistic beauty standards and the pressures women face, sadly often from other women in their circles. It’s a powerful story about a woman who is trying to heal while also doing everything in her power to make sure her mother’s story is never forgotten.
The cover design is eye-catching and perfectly captures the essence of the story. I especially like the colors and neon lights effect.
Thank you, BookishFirst, the publisher Celadon Books, and author Susan Lieu for the ARC copy! I received a free copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Even though this book delves into serious topics such as unattainable beauty standards and intergenerational trauma, the author skillfully incorporates humor throughout the narrative, creating a well-balanced tone that doesn't detract from her message.
I enjoyed the insights into the author’s daily life, such as family gatherings, running the nail salon, exploring Vietnamese cuisine, and navigating often complicated family dynamics. It was interesting to read about the different ways in which people process grief. However, I think the memoir could be a bit shorter as certain sections felt repetitive, especially toward the latter part.
There’s a lot of emphasis on spirituality and psychic abilities which didn’t resonate with me, but I still found it somewhat interesting to read about.
While I admire the author's determination to learn more about her mother and understand herself through her story, I found her conclusion—that it's best to simply “let it go”— confusing and contradictory to the rest of the story. It felt as though the more negative aspects of the story were not fully processed, and as another reader noted, the author's desire to conclude the novel with an inspirational tone, to me felt like a form of toxic positivity.
Overall, this memoir offers valuable insights into the negative consequences of unrealistic beauty standards and the pressures women face, sadly often from other women in their circles. It’s a powerful story about a woman who is trying to heal while also doing everything in her power to make sure her mother’s story is never forgotten.
The cover design is eye-catching and perfectly captures the essence of the story. I especially like the colors and neon lights effect.
Thank you, BookishFirst, the publisher Celadon Books, and author Susan Lieu for the ARC copy! I received a free copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
ceeelizabethreads's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
4.0
CW: talk about weight, body image issues