sarahcwalton's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
3.75
izhhlilaaqwek's review
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
joannemae's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
out_my_bones's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Nice collection of stories. They give a nice view on how Chinese immigrants adjusted to America, while also including some stories mainland China as well. Nice for a quick read, but nothing super impactful.
madisonhh666's review
5.0
A novella followed by a collection of thematically connected short stories. The whole thing focuses on Chinese families. It's really easy to read, which still being pervasive enough to keep reading. Amazing book.
kuhrin's review
5.0
Reading this directly after [b:A free life|199215|A Free Life|Ha Jin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388849700s/199215.jpg|2082841] was absolutely stunning. While Ha Jin's characters cope with assimilation by becoming quietly disillusioned, Chang's characters become almost violent with their regret. I almost wish I read Chang's book first; it may have added more towards the sympathy I felt for Nan (in A free life) and taken away some of the frustration I felt as he wondered through the novel.
Back to Hunger. Each story is carefully positioned in the collection, building a picture of the world as Chang sees it. The most striking quality of her writing is her use of sparse language. With very little effort she is able to conjure sounds, smells, and visual cues I was unaware I had a strong association to.
Further, after putting down each story, Chang's voice followed me through my day. What a beautiful gift.
Back to Hunger. Each story is carefully positioned in the collection, building a picture of the world as Chang sees it. The most striking quality of her writing is her use of sparse language. With very little effort she is able to conjure sounds, smells, and visual cues I was unaware I had a strong association to.
Further, after putting down each story, Chang's voice followed me through my day. What a beautiful gift.
lemonaves's review
4.0
really loved many of the short stories and the characters. culture is so interesting and wonderful to read about. also felt spirited away vibes in the last story which is a HUGE plus.
cassberrie's review
4.0
4.5/5 stars.
Wow. See, I usually stay away from books like this because without a doubt, stories like these cause me so much heartache. It hits especially hard because I am a second generation Chinese-American, and I have so much respect for my parents who left their home to take their chances living in a foreign land, to learn a foreign tongue and a foreign culture.
In reading "Hunger" I felt such nagging anxiety, thanks to Chang's exquisite detailing the slow breaking of this family. Her writing is exceptionally poignant and honest, and her characters have depth that belies their complexity as real human beings. There were times when I might have despised a character's actions, but never could I ever hate them because I could see their hurting so sharply. At one point, I started crying. Chang has played my emotions like a seasoned musician.
While I would say that "Hunger," the main story in this collection, has the most fleshed-out story and characters, "The Unforgetting" really struck a chord with me. It is a simpler story, but the way it details the slow loss of one's roots and the sacrifices that a parent is willing to make for his/her child are delineated with such heartbreak. I found myself feeling for Ming and Sansan, while also having great empathy for Charles, their son, who is caught in the storm of his parents' own internal struggles.
A book that deserves to be savored, I highly encourage that everyone pick up Hunger, especially if you are Chinese-American.
Wow. See, I usually stay away from books like this because without a doubt, stories like these cause me so much heartache. It hits especially hard because I am a second generation Chinese-American, and I have so much respect for my parents who left their home to take their chances living in a foreign land, to learn a foreign tongue and a foreign culture.
In reading "Hunger" I felt such nagging anxiety, thanks to Chang's exquisite detailing the slow breaking of this family. Her writing is exceptionally poignant and honest, and her characters have depth that belies their complexity as real human beings. There were times when I might have despised a character's actions, but never could I ever hate them because I could see their hurting so sharply. At one point, I started crying. Chang has played my emotions like a seasoned musician.
While I would say that "Hunger," the main story in this collection, has the most fleshed-out story and characters, "The Unforgetting" really struck a chord with me. It is a simpler story, but the way it details the slow loss of one's roots and the sacrifices that a parent is willing to make for his/her child are delineated with such heartbreak. I found myself feeling for Ming and Sansan, while also having great empathy for Charles, their son, who is caught in the storm of his parents' own internal struggles.
A book that deserves to be savored, I highly encourage that everyone pick up Hunger, especially if you are Chinese-American.