Reviews with content warning for Eating disorder - Yolk

Yolk is a trifling tale of sisterhood and self-image, as I can most simply put it. The characters are complex, infuriating, self-contradicting, but whole and nearly tangible in a way that is the ultimate strength of this book. The central relationship between Jayne and June is a magnificent foil against which June's self-reflection occurs, and the book is packed rich with poignant moments and commentary that feels lived in as it unfolds.

The only downside might be the book's pacing. Certain parts dragged while the resolution, especially within the last five chapters, feels like it could have been given a little more room to marinate and breathe. Otherwise, no complaints!

Content Warnings

kbusemeyer's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I never really knew where this book was going but I really enjoyed it. I think I was back-and-forth on how I felt, but I think the author did a really good job of exploring the complex relationships as well as tackling life events that impacted those relationships.

I think it did run into the issue of everything wrapping up in the last 50 pages, but I didn’t necessarily mind since it still was a little open-ended.

Obviously we didn’t get the answer of if June survives but we saw the reconciliation with her mom and also an explanation of what happened. Also Jayne finally getting help for her ED and then also the Patrick situation, like it definitely was a little bit roses and rainbows.

This was a good example of an unreliable narrator because sometimes Jayne’s thoughts made me want to shake her but also sometimes her interactions with June seemed reasonable why she would think the way she did. There were some great older-sister/sibling interactions that were so accurate.

I liked how June’s cancer felt like it was part of the plot but not solely there because it was the initial premise of how they reconnected. I think it could’ve easily been worked in as “now she has doctor’s appointments, oh no” but it explored more on the feelings of how Jayne felt and also added the twist that June was using her health insurance. And in that way Jayne was able to take care of June for once.

Content Warnings

mhsieh's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective sad tense

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

4.25

Wow, this book has everything. I love the way family dynamics is portrayed in this story, it really shows how complicated relationships can be and how difficult family is sometimes.

There is so much being discussed in this book, yet the author takes her time throughly fleshing each one out. Jayne’s struggles with

her ED, finding home, feeling out of place, invisibility, her relationship with Patrick, anxiety, and June’s cancer

were all well written in a painful and honest way.

The passages of Jayne

binging snacks and her immense anxiety at seeing June in pain while laying in her bloody bathtub

are so vivid, beautifully written, and emotional.

Choi’s story truly encapsulates what it feels like being an Asian American child of immigrant parents, appreciating their sacrifices yet simultaneously not fully understanding it.

Content Warnings

marlephant's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

sareadchou's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad 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

There was a lot going on but it was a good story. Interesting sibling relationship and maternal relationship and relationship with boys

Content Warnings

mjs20's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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

5.0

Content Warnings

semi's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

this is not a quick, cute read like at all. please read the trigger warnings before picking this up.

this was a painful kaleidoscope of self-loathing, complicated sister dynamics, eating disorders, being Korean-American, immigrant parents, grief, family bonds, and coming to terms with oneself. the characters are not likable, but that didn’t ruin my reading experience tbh but i can see why it would deter people away from the book. you also gotta stick with the details. what may feel like random side comments connect at the end to create a more hopeful, tender conclusion to this novel.

Content Warnings

hazedandwellread's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-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

4.0

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