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Reviews tagging 'Pandemic/Epidemic'
Unearthing: A Story of Tangled Love and Family Secrets by Kyo Maclear
4 reviews
joannalouise's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Racism, Abortion, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
jayisreading's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
This was a beautifully written memoir in which Maclear dove deep into her family roots, as well as to contend with unearthed family secrets. Maclear's story began with a DNA test that revealed that her father was not biologically related to her, which results in an ongoing question throughout this memoir: What does "family" mean? The memoir was an exploration of other themes as well, particularly love and identity, and how the complexities of kinship impacted them.
I think there were a lot of great themes that were clearly meant to connect, but I found that the delivery to be a little scattered, as Maclear went from one idea or memory to the next. Furthermore, I admit that I found the references and metaphors related to nature felt a little forced at times. (That being said, the times they did work, they were really poignant.)
I'm also still trying to gather my thoughts on how Maclear approached her biracial identity and how this tied to her relationship with her Japanese mother. What I can say is that their relationship was clearly complex, which, in turn, complicated the way Maclear chose to write about it.
There's a lot to think about in this memoir; perhaps you could even argue that there might be too much. However, if you're hoping to find something introspective in tone and lyrically written, this memoir might be for you.
Note: I received an ARC from a Goodreads giveaway.
I think there were a lot of great themes that were clearly meant to connect, but I found that the delivery to be a little scattered, as Maclear went from one idea or memory to the next. Furthermore, I admit that I found the references and metaphors related to nature felt a little forced at times. (That being said, the times they did work, they were really poignant.)
I'm also still trying to gather my thoughts on how Maclear approached her biracial identity and how this tied to her relationship with her Japanese mother. What I can say is that their relationship was clearly complex, which, in turn, complicated the way Maclear chose to write about it.
There's a lot to think about in this memoir; perhaps you could even argue that there might be too much. However, if you're hoping to find something introspective in tone and lyrically written, this memoir might be for you.
Note: I received an ARC from a Goodreads giveaway.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Racism, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer and Dementia
Minor: Antisemitism, Abandonment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
avisreadsandreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Colonisation, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
kirstinlwx's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book has already rooted within me.
To speak of family - biological, found, adopted, hidden, reluctant, and grown - in the way that UNEARTHING does, has made me reflect deeply on life and story. I am so humbled and grateful to be able to read the work of Kyo Maclear.
I will recommend this book to everyone, recognizing that it will not be for everyone immediately. But, like gardening, I think this work will grow on everyone willing to meet it with time, attention, and openness.
To speak of family - biological, found, adopted, hidden, reluctant, and grown - in the way that UNEARTHING does, has made me reflect deeply on life and story. I am so humbled and grateful to be able to read the work of Kyo Maclear.
I will recommend this book to everyone, recognizing that it will not be for everyone immediately. But, like gardening, I think this work will grow on everyone willing to meet it with time, attention, and openness.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic