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A review by thepetitepunk
Sigh, Gone: A Misfit's Memoir of Great Books, Punk Rock, and the Fight to Fit In by Phuc Tran
4.0
This was fantastic.
I am a born-and-raised American who grew up in the 2000s so I definitely cannot say I relate to all of Phuc Tran’s experiences, but there was some very specific representation in this memoir that was very personal to me. I didn’t really grow up in the punk scene but I did grow up with punk—and wow, is it comforting to hear about someone talking about punk who is Asian. I am half-Filipino and am very aware of the fact that nearly none of the music that meant so much to me growing up came from Asian artists and that barely any of the fans I’d see at shows were Asian. I always felt like my dad, a Filipino immigrant, and I stuck out at concerts. So yeah, maybe not that important to the memoir, but it meant a lot to me. Also, yay for mentioning a straightedge band <3 Oh, and a punk-loving kid who ALSO loves to learn? Double yay <3
Besides all the music stuff, I loved the attitude portrayed in this memoir. I thought the combination of rebellious music, determined academic learning, race and politics, family troubles, and loyal friends made this memoir so unique and enjoyable.
I am a born-and-raised American who grew up in the 2000s so I definitely cannot say I relate to all of Phuc Tran’s experiences, but there was some very specific representation in this memoir that was very personal to me. I didn’t really grow up in the punk scene but I did grow up with punk—and wow, is it comforting to hear about someone talking about punk who is Asian. I am half-Filipino and am very aware of the fact that nearly none of the music that meant so much to me growing up came from Asian artists and that barely any of the fans I’d see at shows were Asian. I always felt like my dad, a Filipino immigrant, and I stuck out at concerts. So yeah, maybe not that important to the memoir, but it meant a lot to me. Also, yay for mentioning a straightedge band <3 Oh, and a punk-loving kid who ALSO loves to learn? Double yay <3
Besides all the music stuff, I loved the attitude portrayed in this memoir. I thought the combination of rebellious music, determined academic learning, race and politics, family troubles, and loyal friends made this memoir so unique and enjoyable.