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okaychanly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read this because I had just finished Yellowface by R.F. Kuang and was looking for something in a similar vein. Both explore themes of identity, cultural expectations, and the complexities of navigating one's place within broader societal and academic contexts through the use of satire. However, with Disorientation I struggled to finish this book. It's entirely too long. The satire itself was annoying sometimes and the chaotic nature that developed within subplots lost me. On top of that, Ingrid Yang was an infuriating protagonist. It has some perks, esp. in regards to humor, but overall, it was just a tough one to get through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Racial slurs, Violence, and Suicide attempt
elizabeth_lepore's review against another edition
funny
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
joensign's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Stalking, Cultural appropriation, and Gaslighting
ceedy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Cultural appropriation, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Racial slurs
bites_of_books's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
I absolutely flew through this book! I might have been a bit triggered by the depiction of academia (a bit close to home, reminding me of my grad school days...) but it was a very satisfying read overall.
Ingrid is a young PhD student on track to become someone in academia, if only she could figure out how to finish her dissertation. The character development that she goes through is impeccable and all the other supporting characters provide great contrast, add complexity, and kept the story moving at a fast pace.
A great novel that I'd highly recommend if you're at all interested in the ways that academia has and continues to profit off of POC students and cultures. Also, if you just want a story that is character driven with complex character development!
Ingrid is a young PhD student on track to become someone in academia, if only she could figure out how to finish her dissertation. The character development that she goes through is impeccable and all the other supporting characters provide great contrast, add complexity, and kept the story moving at a fast pace.
A great novel that I'd highly recommend if you're at all interested in the ways that academia has and continues to profit off of POC students and cultures. Also, if you just want a story that is character driven with complex character development!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Classism, and Deportation
jamontenn's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I picked up this book from my overgrown pile of books I want to read and I could not put it down. I NEEDED to know what happened next. This book discusses important and relevant conversations to have about the nature of not only higher academia but of what it can be like growing up Taiwanese American in particular due to the main character’s experience but also to Asian Americans and immigrants as they are treated in the U.S. The book is filled with melodrama and intrigue and interspersed with bits of important history that doesn’t get taught every day. This book was funny satire, informative history lesson and an overall great read. Many thanks to my friend for gifting it to me.
Also this book discusses difficult topics across various areas but I found them important to the plot of the story.
Also this book discusses difficult topics across various areas but I found them important to the plot of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Cultural appropriation, and Gaslighting
lentilkong's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutely loved it. It was hilarious and accurate as academic satire, a portrayal of the political spectrum of Asian Americans as well as Asian woman/femme experience. The themes and tropes were not new to me or anyone who is Asian American, but they were woven together into a complex exploration of how white supremacy and academic institutions reproduce their power and shape Asian oppression/existence. The audiobook narrator was great and delivered the humor of the book well. I will be getting a physical copy for re-reading. I am definitely a Vivian Sun, Eunice Rising, and Ingrid Moon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Emotional abuse
chaoticenby's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Absolutely captivating, wild and unexpected, highly relatable as an Asian American. The plot takes you on such a ride and I loved every moment, with so mean reveals and twists in the mystery my heart racing and pages turning. The cast of Asian American characters capture a full experience of life, that had me recalling my own experiences growing up, my relationship to white institutions, and varying relationships with community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Racism, Xenophobia, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Drug abuse and Sexism
carojust's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a fun satirical read about the absurd world of academia, and an absolutely scathing look at racism, sexism, and finding identity as a first-generation Asian woman in America.
Ingrid is a Taiwanese-American grad student at a Harvard-like university, struggling to finish her dissertation on the works of Chinese-American poet Xiao-Wen Chou. She relies on an addiction to allergy meds to get through her anxiety and procrastination, and feels strongly this isn't the work she should be doing. Right away, we are introduced to scenes of her taking a backseat to white men, including her own fiancé, on topics about her own culture. The plot continues in a feverish nightmare, as Ingrid is shaken by the truth of her work, and realization of the incredibly racist world she's tried to function in.
Admittedly, I couldn't get into Elaine Hsieh Chou's writing style, but appreciated her funny storytelling, and extremely unlikeable characters. The author unlocked a lot of my own trauma, with anecdotes about trying to fit in with white friends, being ashamed of our own culture, the incessant need to question if someone is interested in us because they have a fetish. A lot of these themes are told in a continuous loop that could've been edited down, but I totally get the need to expand on topics that aren't represented enough. After reading R. F. Kuang's "Yellowface," with a white character faking Asian identity and struggling to find fault with what she's doing, "Disorientation"similarly plays out this plot, but with an Asian protagonist's churning shock and disenchantment witnessing what's happening ; I'd highly recommend reading both in succession, for these two perspectives.
Give this a read if you're interested in Asian American themes, funny stories on grad school life, and whimsical sleuth-style storytelling.
Ingrid is a Taiwanese-American grad student at a Harvard-like university, struggling to finish her dissertation on the works of Chinese-American poet Xiao-Wen Chou. She relies on an addiction to allergy meds to get through her anxiety and procrastination, and feels strongly this isn't the work she should be doing. Right away, we are introduced to scenes of her taking a backseat to white men, including her own fiancé, on topics about her own culture. The plot continues in a feverish nightmare, as Ingrid is shaken by the truth of her work, and realization of the incredibly racist world she's tried to function in.
Admittedly, I couldn't get into Elaine Hsieh Chou's writing style, but appreciated her funny storytelling, and extremely unlikeable characters. The author unlocked a lot of my own trauma, with anecdotes about trying to fit in with white friends, being ashamed of our own culture, the incessant need to question if someone is interested in us because they have a fetish. A lot of these themes are told in a continuous loop that could've been edited down, but I totally get the need to expand on topics that aren't represented enough. After reading R. F. Kuang's "Yellowface," with a white character faking Asian identity and struggling to find fault with what she's doing, "Disorientation"
Give this a read if you're interested in Asian American themes, funny stories on grad school life, and whimsical sleuth-style storytelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Stalking, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Deportation
haave's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Colonisation