nicolemhill's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I found much here powerful, but I struggled with the structure.
nanikeeva's review against another edition
2.0
somehow the narration wasn't engaging at all - i tried my best to immerse myself in the family history, the effects of all the secrets, etc, and just... nothing
emceeslim's review against another edition
5.0
A perfect book! A beautiful memoir, beautifully written. I cried A LOT.
uberbutter's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Honestly, I seriously hate rating memoirs. In this case, Kat Chow, discusses the loss of her mother when Kar was in high school. It, of course, was a devastating event that affected her deeply. Chow goes into her Chinese heritage and family and her struggles and relationship with her dad - a loving, yet, often strained dynamic. And how am I supposed to fairly rate someone who spills out their own pains and struggles?
Regardless, I found Kat Chow's memoir to be a mix of discomfort, pain, and love - that's not a bad thing. She often talks with the "ghost" of her mother, often asking "what if..." questions. And honestly, I think many people can relate to talking to their loved ones long after they're dead. I've more than once asked my dad, who passed away 10 years ago, "What should I do about *insert issue*". Of course, he doesn't answer, but the comfort is there. It's a raw memoir on the journey of love and loss.
Trigger warning for death of a mother and child loss (which always hurts me if I'm not aware it's about to pop up).
Regardless, I found Kat Chow's memoir to be a mix of discomfort, pain, and love - that's not a bad thing. She often talks with the "ghost" of her mother, often asking "what if..." questions. And honestly, I think many people can relate to talking to their loved ones long after they're dead. I've more than once asked my dad, who passed away 10 years ago, "What should I do about *insert issue*". Of course, he doesn't answer, but the comfort is there. It's a raw memoir on the journey of love and loss.
Trigger warning for death of a mother and child loss (which always hurts me if I'm not aware it's about to pop up).
dominicangirl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
marlmar3000's review against another edition
5.0
i might not be qualified to write a review since i read half the book through swollen eyes, burning tears and a deep pain in my chest and probably skipped several key moments and for that i apologize. this was such a familiar and loving and questioning book fit of a journalist — poetic and haunting and funny at times. the experiences she wrote about were very specific but i could feel them with bits of my own mother’s life all the same. beautiful and heavy read
audjmo91's review against another edition
3.0
I love hearing Kat Chow’s work on the radio and was inspired to pick this up largely for that reason.
There is a lot to like about this memoir; Chow brings readers through a complicated journey told well and with a lot of insight and depth. You can feel the desire to understand the actions and motivations of her parents as she works though research and interview to try to connect with them. A very honest book.
Still, this took me longer to get through than I was expecting, I think because it felt like each section ended with a deeper commentary on the moment just described - I wish I had been able to sit and reflect on these stories without feeling over-explained to. I think this is largely just a style mismatch between me and Chow, so I’m really calling this more of a 3.5 on my fault vs. the book, which has many great moments and is worth a read.
There is a lot to like about this memoir; Chow brings readers through a complicated journey told well and with a lot of insight and depth. You can feel the desire to understand the actions and motivations of her parents as she works though research and interview to try to connect with them. A very honest book.
Still, this took me longer to get through than I was expecting, I think because it felt like each section ended with a deeper commentary on the moment just described - I wish I had been able to sit and reflect on these stories without feeling over-explained to. I think this is largely just a style mismatch between me and Chow, so I’m really calling this more of a 3.5 on my fault vs. the book, which has many great moments and is worth a read.