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morrigan_gaines_writes's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Very solid graphic novel memoir! For some reason I thought it would deal more with 2020 and post 2020 reactions to Asian-Americans. It does cover some of that but really focuses on the entirety of Gao's formative years as she deals with many coming-of-age issues against the backdrop of her culture and figuring out her identity. I didn't realize how close in age the author was to me, and so it was nice to read a coming of age novel with pop-culture references that I recognized. The story had some time jumps but they worked well to give us the details we needed and to make the story impactful.
It covers a lot of difficult topics (cultural identity, racisms, coming out, accepting oneself etc...) without shying away. This is a book I would add to our school shelf for my pre-teens and teens but its written in a way to also make it a great adult read.
It covers a lot of difficult topics (cultural identity, racisms, coming out, accepting oneself etc...) without shying away. This is a book I would add to our school shelf for my pre-teens and teens but its written in a way to also make it a great adult read.
plantbutt's review against another edition
3.0
First off, the art was beautiful. The composition of the panels were brilliant and I think they really enhanced the emotions of the scenes whether they were silly or serious.
Second, I felt like this was incomplete. There wasn't a strong narrative, just kind of telling a life story. There was some mentions of covid and being from the city of Wuhan played out in her and her family's live but I wish there was more. That's what the book was pitched as.
I would definitely read more of Gao's work and thought this was sweet and passed the time.
Second, I felt like this was incomplete. There wasn't a strong narrative, just kind of telling a life story. There was some mentions of covid and being from the city of Wuhan played out in her and her family's live but I wish there was more. That's what the book was pitched as.
I would definitely read more of Gao's work and thought this was sweet and passed the time.
kizzabell's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
booklover81's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.5
rubbercitykitten's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime
ashleyrich3825's review
5.0
I first picked up this book because I loved the cover and the concept sounded interesting. I've been trying to diversify my reading and learn about perspectives other than my own, and Messy Roots certainly delivered. It explored Laura's experiences as she grew up: cultural conflicts, familial expectations, identity, friendships, and to my surprise, queerness.
Messy Roots was a fantastic read that provided an ultimately heartwarming look into the life of a person who found it within themselves to embrace both parts of their heritage as they grew into their own person.
It was especially encouraging to read as someone who is about to go off to university to read about someone who didn't always have their life together and was still able to find their niche.
Absolutely give this incredible book a read.
(I've read it twice in the last two days)
Messy Roots was a fantastic read that provided an ultimately heartwarming look into the life of a person who found it within themselves to embrace both parts of their heritage as they grew into their own person.
It was especially encouraging to read as someone who is about to go off to university to read about someone who didn't always have their life together and was still able to find their niche.
Absolutely give this incredible book a read.
(I've read it twice in the last two days)
narrnaul's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Xenophobia
beepatriz's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
This was exactly what I expected and that’s a bit disappointing