whatisjordyreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
a very important book. thank you Gene Luen Yang ✨️
allow this book to challenge you-- to shift & grow your mind and heart.
allow this book to challenge you-- to shift & grow your mind and heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Bullying
a non-consensual kiss happens, and then the moment is addressed right away.gracelynnreads's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
bashsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I read Gene Luen Yang's Boxers and Saints as a teen, but I hadn't thought about his work in many years until a friend of mine mentioned this book recently. I enjoyed American Born Chinese quite a lot - I found the three storylines interesting, and there was quite a bit of depth to the central theme, of coming to terms with who you are, of being an outcast, of finding people who want you to be you. The ending felt a little rushed - the way the three storylines came together seemed a little too quick. But otherwise, great graphic novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Bullying, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Toxic friendship
-Specifically sinophobia (racism & xenophobia)metaphorsandmisc's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Bullying
parenthesis_enjoyer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Bullying
joisaddler's review against another edition
challenging
sad
fast-paced
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
emilyhv's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Antisemitism
isleofwoman's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
marissasa's review
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
American Born Chinese tells the story of a young Chinese-American boy named Jin growing up in SF and going to a predominantly white school, wishing he wasn't different and was instead one of the white boys due to the bullying and discrimination he endures. His story is told in tandem with an old Chinese fable about the Monkey King and with an uncomfortable caricature story about a boy named Chin-kee visiting his white cousin Danny. The three stories connect with a twist in the end and all serve the greater message of accepting yourself for who you are despite how different you may be from those around you. While I liked the premise of the story and its message about growing up as a child of the diaspora amongst white peers, the caricature story was very hard to read and I didn't connect to all of the specifically male experiences of Jin.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Bullying, Racism, Violence, and Xenophobia
drakebogart's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I finished this book and immediately started from the beginning to re-read it. It's one of those books that comes together so well at the end that you have to go back with the full context, but I LOVE that. It becomes more powerful the second time through. This has stayed on my mind since I finished it and it's something I think is so important and raw. I like that it never talks down to young people and it doesn't shy away from the complex and difficult topics it covers, while navigating them in a clear and understandable way. 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Xenophobia, and Racial slurs
Minor: Toxic friendship