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dark_matter_07's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Vomit, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Xenophobia, Car accident, and Abortion
jessicaludden's review against another edition
4.0
Such a heartfelt and raw recollection of the author and her mother.
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Drug use, Grief, and Death of parent
remib's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Child abuse
biblio_'s review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Infidelity, and Abortion
hufflepuffbiologybuff's review against another edition
3.25
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Drug use, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racism, Excrement, and Car accident
Minor: Cursing, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Abortion
gracielou2000's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Drug use, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Abortion
sarahrob's review against another edition
4.5
I found the perspective and flashbacks a bit choppy at the start - it was hard to get into as Zauner jumped between times from one paragraph to the next. However, as the book progresses, I found no longer to be the case.
She has a such a unique voice and I loved her ability to capture such immense grief and also occasionally break the tension with a line that was so completely relatable I had to laugh.
Striking vignettes (crying in h mart, singing in Vietnam)
Motif and symbols (kimchi fridge full of photographs)
One word: Visceral
Graphic: Cancer, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Addiction, Rape, Car accident, and Abortion
wishlissa's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Infidelity, Medical content, Car accident, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
It feels impossible to rate this book of another person’s grief. I considered this last night as I cleaned the kitchen, only two chapters left for this morning. Food is a means of connection in my family, too, although I won’t be naïve enough to say it is that way in every family. This book is poignant and beautifully written, made my heart ache, and ignited a craving for the unmistakable flavor kimchi I couldn’t satisfy at 1am. But when I go to the Asian market later to buy some, I will think of how my own parents show their love for us. And I will think of Michelle’s mom the whole time.kenzibir's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, and Abortion
psellars11's review against another edition
5.0
I didn’t realize Michelle Zauner had written this book - it was always on my list because I am part white and Asian and I thought the discussions of Asian culture and family relationships would be interesting to me. It definitely was, and it really highlights the trauma evident in many Asian households and the rigid relationships parents and children have, especially dealing with their lives in America. Zauner writes so eloquently, touching on many trying and traumatic aspects of growing up biracial in America, from having few friends, to rebelling against Asian culture, to wistfully regretting that rebellion as an adult, and trying to reclaim and recapture that identity again later on. The loss of connection to your Asian family, the desire to be conventionally beautiful in either white or Asian culture, and so on. Additionally, the importance of food is woven throughout, as it’s emblematic of Korean culture and her relationship with her mother.
This book will make you cry. I cried at least 4-5 times when the grief was discussed and her mother’s death. I knew it was inevitable but it still hurt me nonetheless. It was incredibly cathartic and if you are in the right headspace- this is an incredible, touching read. It ended on a positive note highlighting Zauner’s relationship with Peter and their success in their band, Japanese Breakfast. I loved the homage to her mother with the cover of the album too.
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Racism, Terminal illness, and Car accident