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althebookworm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Xenophobia
wanderingtales's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Racism, Xenophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Infertility and Rape
anna_23's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Infidelity, Rape, and Sexual assault
kierscrivener's review against another edition
emotional
informative
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
This is a hard book to rate as it is a short story collection. I liked the stories and many touched on important topics of immigration, identity, femininity, age, child-parent relationships, marriage, English as a second language, essential jobs, and promotion of underqualified white workers over experienced POC.
I loved that it showed a diversity of Laos people and experiences and is set in and written by a Canadian. But for me they are too short to hit impact. I know short stories are often jumping off points for discussions and I would definitely reread these but in many cases I was left impressed but wanting more.
I loved that it showed a diversity of Laos people and experiences and is set in and written by a Canadian. But for me they are too short to hit impact. I know short stories are often jumping off points for discussions and I would definitely reread these but in many cases I was left impressed but wanting more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Death of parent
sarah984's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The stories are very short vignettes featuring Lao refugees/immigrants living in Canada. Most of the characters are interesting and feel like real people but the stories don't really have a structure, they just depict a moment. Sometimes it felt like I was just getting to know a character and the story ended.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Minor: Cancer, Pedophilia, Violence, and Grief