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bludgeoned_by_hail's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't a fan of the first few chapters, which came across way too personal, the writing not doing enough to really elevate it from venting and airing out dirty laundry (maybe I'm just not a fan of memoirs?).
From her mom's diagnosis onward, the pace shifts dramatically. The unpoetic and unfiltered language makes the excrutiating anguish of her deterioration and ultimate death come through the page with devastating depth, detail and vulnerability. When it finally happens, you are left grappling with the loss and putting the pieces together alongside Zauner. You can almost feel her maturing in real time.
The fact that it ends on a heartwarming note and she's clearly come out the other end is the cherry on top, making it all so much more bearable.
I admire Zauner's honesty and willingness to self-reflect in such a public manner, and wish her all the best.
(Rugged Country hits different now for sureš®āšØ)
Graphic: Terminal illness, Medical content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Infidelity, Racism, and Car accident
bbethcasas's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
julesfrigault's review
4.0
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Car accident
Minor: Abortion
zreadz's review against another edition
5.0
I recommend this book to both those who have lost loved ones and those who havenāt yet. Iād even recommend it to those who have witnessed or struggled to understand someone elseās grief, grappling with what it truly means and how it sits within you. Itās a tough and tragic read, but reducing it to just those two words would be an injustice. I loved reading about identity, coming of age, and the matriarchal dynamics that influence mother-daughter relationships. Like Zauner, Iām not religious, but like Nami, Iād like to believe our loved ones are happy somewhere, and that our ancestors help us navigate the enormous emotions of grief, love, sadness, anger, and joy that life brings. Our memories, our tastes our worldviews are gifts imparted on us by the ones we love.
Thank you Chongmi, Halmeoni, and Eunmi.
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Death of parent
emmalwooten's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Terminal illness and Death of parent
imscrem's review
4.0
Some of what the author said about being half Korean/half American resonated with me, although Iām half American half Czech. I often feel lost in my heritage language and culture as well, dismayed when people switch to English to explain things to me, and often expecting others to tell me that I am āenoughā to fit in.
It was also nice to recognize the names of Korean foods Iāve learned to cook, and understand a lot of the Korean phrases used throughout the book.
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Car accident, Abortion, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Rape, and Excrement
ckingcolorado's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism and Abortion
claireeshelby's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Terminal illness and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism
jess_polishedcomma's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Excrement
komiification's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, Medical content, Car accident, and Abortion
Minor: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Violence, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail