Reviews

The Fortunes of Jaded Women by Carolyn Huynh

arch_wherethro's review against another edition

4.0

It feels ambitious to tackle a family saga with 13 characters for a first novel, but she pulled it off. An insightful, sweet and funny exploration of generational trauma in a Vietnamese-American family, with big love for Little Saigon. I could totally see it as a Netflix show. Four stars only because there were a few rough spots in the prose that yanked me out of the story.

selenat's review against another edition

5.0

While I am not Vietnamese, I am Thai; so I felt a lot of similarities about the mother-daughter and sister dynamics that were portrayed in this novel. This book tackles many issues in a light-hearted and comical way! I highly recommend this to anyone, hut especially for anyone who has an Asian mother!

lolwuuut's review

4.0

Hit a little close to home lol

inlowing's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted

4.0

arirose's review

3.5

I loved the mess lol I struggled to keep up with all the character names but I usually do with audiobooks and didn't expect so many this time (though in hindsight I probably should have). Regardless, I was mostly able to keep up and enjoy the story of the women, their families, and their lives. 

I was relieved that we didn't end with a grandson and happy ever after at that. I know it's generational and cultural to hope for and celebrate a son over a daughter, but it was beautiful that the women of the family had the opportunity to learn they have everything they want with their daughters and granddaughters.

beary2reads's review against another edition

5.0

amazing intergenerational story of vietnamese american women!! so much drama and love and twists

ashylibrarian's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective 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? Yes

3.5

ksweeney915's review against another edition

4.0

I loved the “twist” ending in which you find out that the “curse” was actually the women getting their secret heart’s desire. This book had a very chaotic energy until the end, but it was an enjoyable journey to finding out if the families would reconcile and who would get their happy ending. I especially loved Mai’s arc. My only wish is that we got more time with each of the many characters!

dmiller1's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

3.0

momruncraft's review against another edition

4.0

“Do you think any of the women in our family are actually happy? Look at the disarray. No one talks to each other, they all blame my mother, my mother blames all of them, and honestly, no one actually gets what they want at the end of the day. All they do is blame some family curse, but the only curse I see here is self-inflicted.”

A curse is set in motion the day Lan Hoang visits the reclusive witch after finding out her former daughter-in-law has left her son for another man. She curses all future generations of Duong women: May they never experience true, lasting love. And may they all give birth to daughters insuring the lasting legacy of this curse.

We meet several strong willed, smart, successful women…all of whom experience great professional success but remain unlucky in love. The curse. Always the curse.

What will it take for these women to break the curse that has left generations so utterly unhappy?