A review by phua_jieying
Throwback by Maurene Goo

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

4.75

Love this book that has both the long-running Asian-American immigrant family conflict (mother-daughter) and warmer family ties (grandmother-granddaughter), as well as the lead character's comparatively greater pride in her heritage compared to her mother who kept trying to fit in with the white kids.

One minor quibble that I took 0.25 stars off for: It's the 2023 calendar and not the 2025 one which has the same days of the week as the 1995 one, hope this gets fixed if there's going to be a revised edition.

Similar movie recommendations:
  • 2007 Japanese movie Bubble Fiction: Boom or Bust (『バブルへGO!! タイムマシンはドラム式』) - Mum followed by daughter went back in time to prevent the bust of the bubble economy.
  • 2021 mainland Chinese movie Hi, Mom (《你好，李焕英》) - Daughter grieving her mum's death in 2001 was sent back to 1981 and befriended her young mum as a "cousin". 
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