cady_sass's review
4.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Vomit, Death of parent, Cancer, Car accident, Domestic abuse, and Racism
poetrynati's review
4.0
Hers was tougher than tough love.
No one can accuse this book of being bland. It's full of feeling and sensations, not all of them usual and some uncomfortable, but many warm and delicious. Like Korean food, I'd say.
It was hard to swallow at times, though. My experience with an abusive (and I need to use that word, because tough love is only love to a point) mother is fresh and still happening nowadays. I don't have the luxury of being able to put any space between me and her like the author, so I felt everything very vividly. I disagree with her thoughts that it was all only a matter of cultural difference. As a latina, I'm well familiar with what she was talking about, but abuse is abuse whether it comes with a colorful cultural background or not. I hope one day Michelle finds healing and stops craving to be like her mother, especially if she herself decides to have children someday.
That all being said, I still loved this book. It made me hungry, for Korean food but also for love and family affection. For embracing your cultural roots. And music, too. Japanese Breakfast is a fantastic band and I'm glad I found out about it reading this.
Read as part of the lovey dovey book club.
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Child abuse
lindtash's review
5.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Cancer
Moderate: Domestic abuse
katyfortner's review
3.25
The writing is very good and really pulled at your heart strings. The author is very strong to have gone through all of this and still coming out on top of life.
Graphic: Medical trauma, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Medical content, Child abuse, Grief, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
Minor: Abortion
doomluz's review against another edition
5.0
Some parts were difficult to hear, like the conflicts between Michelle and her parents. But it was also relatable as both my partner and I have immigrant parents (though obviously there's some differences between Korean culture and Mexican). The parts describing the mother's illness were also difficult.
Overall it was vivid, great descriptions, and cathartic. Also I wouldn't recommend listening/reading when you're hungry or before bed because I kept getting hungry.
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Cancer
Moderate: Infidelity, Fatphobia, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Abortion
elizlizabeth's review against another edition
3.0
As a memoir I guess everyone is allowed to write however they want but after repeatedly being told by Zauner herself about her background writing articles I expected more.
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Car accident, Addiction, Cancer, Excrement, Grief, Terminal illness, Abortion, and Alcoholism
kitausu's review
I didn't stop this book because there was anything wrong with the book. The writing is visceral and powerful as is the story. I'm just not mentally in a place to read it.
Graphic: Death of parent, Mental illness, Medical content, Cancer, Grief, Medical trauma, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Body shaming, Abortion, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
ladymirtazapine's review
4.5
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Medical content, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Domestic abuse
eena's review
2.5
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Domestic abuse