treandgro's review against another edition
5.0
Though fast-moving and slim, "Chemistry" wrangles humor and heartbreak with stunning deftness. Don't let the title fool you — this isn't a typical rom-com with a scientist swapped in for the lead. I was continually surprised by what was revealed bit by bit about the narrator and her relationships. The language is absolutely enchanting. It's concise and memorable in all the right ways, without overstuffed adornment. The writer was taught by Amy Hempel, and you can see why the legend raved about this book. Pick it up and you'll be glad you did.
jcasey98's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lightfoxing's review against another edition
5.0
Devoured in a day, in a sitting, Wang's Chemistry is an aching, tender, precious unravelling of the way in which our parents mark us, of how we can love them despite even the deepest, most painful marks, and how these marks impact relationships with ourselves and others even as we try to find a way to separate ourselves from them. The unnamed narrator is resentful, hurting, hurting for her parents, herself, her long-term boyfriend, her best friend, the best friend's baby, her dog. Wang neatly treads the question of identity and language and loss as her narrator considers her upbringing as the (only) daughter (and child) of Chinese immigrants, her mother clinging too tightly to a home and language that excludes the daughter (who notes that humans feel exclusion not as a broken heart but as a broken bone, all physical), while the father has accomplished so much to extricate himself from poverty that the daughter feels all she has left is the moon itself, but while she is proficient at science, there is no spark there for her. Despite the short length of the book, Wang's spare but elegant prose makes her narrator's discovery of what it might mean to be happy, to do things for herself while still honoring her parents, unfold in a slow and ponderous way, ultimately heartbreaking and hopeful and most importantly, relatable. Looking forward to more from her.
yungc37's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
squirrelmonster's review against another edition
reflective
slow-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
stpeterson's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
readerlylife's review
4.0
As the daughter of a woman who came to the USA when she was 3 and a man who was the first generation in his family to be born in the USA, I found this book extremely relatable. And even though I am not Chinese, so much of this was my story, especially when it came to language barriers, my mom's accent, not speaking my parents' first language, and my knowledge of idioms. Of course, this book is made up of so much more than those things but it is because of that bond that I felt I could understand so much of what the main character went through.
The writing style may not be for everyone though because it is told through the voice of the main character, the daughter of immigrants. It doesn't flow. It's a bit choppy and unsure, like many people who have difficulties with English. But I felt that was part of it's charm.
Overall, this book was personal for me but I truly think anyone could enjoy it, especially if you are interested in the immigrant and/or Chinese ways of thinking.
The writing style may not be for everyone though because it is told through the voice of the main character, the daughter of immigrants. It doesn't flow. It's a bit choppy and unsure, like many people who have difficulties with English. But I felt that was part of it's charm.
Overall, this book was personal for me but I truly think anyone could enjoy it, especially if you are interested in the immigrant and/or Chinese ways of thinking.
kellyannebryant's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
casehouse's review against another edition
4.0
Disjointed, but engaging. Strong voice. I'm not sure why, but I really liked it. Wonderful audiobook narration.
tinley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0