mezzoanddolce's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I LOVED this
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Blood, Bullying, and Racial slurs
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)sn03's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Vomit, Racism, and Sexual harassment
metaphorsandmisc's review
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
emilyhv's review
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
odditiex's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Racism and Bullying
marissasa's review against another edition
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
booknerd_life's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Racism
matthewosborne's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I liked this book quite a bit, but I wish it was a little longer. The resolution comes about so quickly and I think it could have used maybe 25-50 more pages.
Ultimately this book did make me feel empathy and sympathy for the characters, which makes it a success.
Ultimately this book did make me feel empathy and sympathy for the characters, which makes it a success.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Bullying