Scan barcode
wanderlust_romance's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Family Meal is a slow-paced, character driven novel that focuses on several relationships: Cam, in the aftermath of his partner Kai's death; TJ, in his meandering professional life, complicated romantic and sexual relationships, and memories of his father; and Kai, in a post-humous reflection on his coming of age in Louisiana, queerness, relationship with Cam, and experience as a Japanese translator.
Cam's character arc is particularly devastating. He is on an increasingly downward spiral after moving back to Houston from Los Angeles after the death of his partner Kai. He is grieving and engaging in risky and harmful behaviors in order to avoid dealing with his emotional state. When the people around Cam try to buoy him through this self-harm, Cam takes actions that contribute to pushing his friends away.
The bulk of the story focuses on TJ. His work, his family dynamics, his mixed race identity (Black/Asian), his messy romantic and sexual relationships, memories of his deceased father, and his longstanding friendship with Cam. To some degree, he is a very isolated character, similar to Cam in his self-destructive spiral prior to entering rehab. TJ's story felt the most unfocused until the very end of his chapter - when he finally comes to the realization that connection and family (chosen or by blood) are necessary.
I enjoyed how Houston itself became a character within the story. Washington manages to weave together unique neighborhoods, city life observations, and aspects of gentrification into a place setting that helps set the scene for these characters exceptionally well. And the food descriptions and references...man I am really craving some Korean food now.
Family Meal reminded me a lot of All Friends Are Necessary by Tomas Moniz with its earnestness and exploration of grief and queerness.
Cam's character arc is particularly devastating. He is on an increasingly downward spiral after moving back to Houston from Los Angeles after the death of his partner Kai. He is grieving and engaging in risky and harmful behaviors in order to avoid dealing with his emotional state. When the people around Cam try to buoy him through this self-harm, Cam takes actions that contribute to pushing his friends away.
The bulk of the story focuses on TJ. His work, his family dynamics, his mixed race identity (Black/Asian), his messy romantic and sexual relationships, memories of his deceased father, and his longstanding friendship with Cam. To some degree, he is a very isolated character, similar to Cam in his self-destructive spiral prior to entering rehab. TJ's story felt the most unfocused until the very end of his chapter - when he finally comes to the realization that connection and family (chosen or by blood) are necessary.
I enjoyed how Houston itself became a character within the story. Washington manages to weave together unique neighborhoods, city life observations, and aspects of gentrification into a place setting that helps set the scene for these characters exceptionally well. And the food descriptions and references...man I am really craving some Korean food now.
Family Meal reminded me a lot of All Friends Are Necessary by Tomas Moniz with its earnestness and exploration of grief and queerness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Death, Eating disorder, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, and Grief
alyon's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Self harm, and Police brutality
Moderate: Homophobia and Racism