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A review by synth
Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet by Sherri L. Smith
2.0
It was okay for the most part. I did like that the main character is a mixed black and Chinese, strong, smart, pretty girl. And that she is able to talk herself out of changing herself to appeal to her peers (including the boy she likes). Also, the commentary on how people consider and talk about biraciality. And how her family has learned to be complacent and not point out someone's racism (however unsubtly it was handled, but I concede that it is a children's book). And the complex dynamics of prejudices/racism between non-white people of different ethnicities.
However, that the author chose a Japanese man to be the racist abusive jerk against which the MC finally takes a stand fills a little like a cop-out (where it's not about racism as much as an awful individual; not to mention the more complex relation of Japanese people and racism). The grandmothers rivalry to gain their granddaughter's love with more and more extravagant gifts and growing pressure on her is too unbelievable for my enjoyment but children's book. On a more cultural aspect, I have a problem with the very stereotypical characterization of the Chinese grandmother as naggy, and obsessed with reputation and grades; as well as the romanticization of her seducing her older husband when he was her teacher. (On a side note, I have never met a non-white person who did not rinse rice before cooking it.) (On an additional side note, what teenager says she "has the hots" for a boy?) I am also so very tired of those narratives with another teenage girl as the cheap and fake rival of the main character for a nice clueless boy's attention.
However, that the author chose a Japanese man to be the racist abusive jerk against which the MC finally takes a stand fills a little like a cop-out (where it's not about racism as much as an awful individual; not to mention the more complex relation of Japanese people and racism). The grandmothers rivalry to gain their granddaughter's love with more and more extravagant gifts and growing pressure on her is too unbelievable for my enjoyment but children's book. On a more cultural aspect, I have a problem with the very stereotypical characterization of the Chinese grandmother as naggy, and obsessed with reputation and grades; as well as the romanticization of her seducing her older husband when he was her teacher. (On a side note, I have never met a non-white person who did not rinse rice before cooking it.) (On an additional side note, what teenager says she "has the hots" for a boy?) I am also so very tired of those narratives with another teenage girl as the cheap and fake rival of the main character for a nice clueless boy's attention.