Reviews

Soy Sauce for Beginners by Kirstin Chen

keen23's review against another edition

3.0

A really fast, interesting read. Gretchen isn't really well fleshed out as a character, but the overall story is good.

axmed's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I loved the development of the family dynamics and the characters own growth was pretty good, but the way fetishization by the whites was just glossed over and not delved into deeper was disappointing, even though this was a big part of the main characters marriage. also, it was pretty bad that the one time fetishization was mentioned, which was at the end of a chapter, the next chapter was about a white character who was 'so great' which felt like they were trying to proof something? and then the anti-fatness started lol.

all in all, it was pretty good, but there were too many things that annoyed me, which made it meeeh.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia

Moderate: Fatphobia and Racism

fetishization is not an option, so adding that here. also, pls change fatphobia to anti-fatness

jaxinthebox01's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

sharkie's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

daumari's review against another edition

4.0

Received for free via the Kindle First program last December, but didn't get around to reading until today. A relatively short read (accidentally binged it in one day whoops), I actually really liked it. I was expecting a fluffier chic-lit, but as someone who doesn't know what she wants to do in life (and with the 30s looming on the distant horizon), Gretchen's indecision on whether to finish her music degree or withdraw and helm the family company really resonated for me. And unlike a puff book, there isn't really a neat resolution at the end which is nice.

I also liked the food descriptions- somewhat reminded of [a:Kevin Kwan|634694|Kevin Kwan|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1412808034p2/634694.jpg]'s [b:Crazy Rich Asians|16085481|Crazy Rich Asians (Crazy Rich Asians #1)|Kevin Kwan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364852559s/16085481.jpg|21571970] which also takes place in Singapore, but in the world of old money (which is almost another planet entirely).

rallythealli's review against another edition

reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

maris0994's review against another edition

hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

readingindreams's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

3.25

bookwoom's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

whatkayliereads's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0