suzu711's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
- 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
3.75
ferris_mx's review against another edition
5.0
A quick read, but a great one. Insight into the difficulties of 1.5-generation immigrants, asian families, the lingering effects of childhood, and the psychology of graduate school.
jurassicreader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
roses_are_read's review against another edition
4.5
The nameless narrator offers a seemingly simple surface with a complex core. After spending years following the advice and expectations of her immigrant parents, she derails. Professionally unmoored and emotionally ambivalent, she settles into change.
Wang successfully captures that turning point between what you know and how you grow. Insightful and funny, this is a tale of slow and soft self-discovery without hard lines.
Wang successfully captures that turning point between what you know and how you grow. Insightful and funny, this is a tale of slow and soft self-discovery without hard lines.
todelisus's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
janmaj's review against another edition
Audiobook. Made it about 3/4 of the way but lost interest about halfway. Snarky angst that got old.
whatkatiedidread's review against another edition
3.0
grad student in Boston falls apart. hopefully not prophetic.
kassabitte's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This review does not do the book justice. Very very funny. Quite depressing.
The whole book is so reflective and paints a sad portrait of academia, settling in a relationship and parental pressure, yet is so wry and at times laugh out loud funny. Why does this woman feel so relatable and yet so infuriating? The narrative style is really intriguing and the narrator of the audio book is just perfect for this character. Can't wait to read this authors next work.
The whole book is so reflective and paints a sad portrait of academia, settling in a relationship and parental pressure, yet is so wry and at times laugh out loud funny. Why does this woman feel so relatable and yet so infuriating? The narrative style is really intriguing and the narrator of the audio book is just perfect for this character. Can't wait to read this authors next work.
jreading's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0