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A review by caseys_chapters
Seeing Ghosts by Kat Chow
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
4.25
I’ve read some outstanding memoirs lately and Seeing Ghosts by Kat Chow just joined that list. Thank you @grandcentralpub for the gifted copy!
Seeing Ghosts is centered around the author’s experience losing her mother to cancer at a young age. She also explores several generations of her family’s history in China, The United States, and Cuba and the complicated family dynamics that shaped her.
In many ways this is a ghost story. She describes the lingering emotions tied to grief, generational trauma, and learning about loved ones after their death. It was such an affecting way to frame her experience.
It took a few chapters to get into the flow because the narrative bounces around in time through short vignettes. But once I was in the groove, I was captivated by Kat Chow’s storytelling!
I loved that the book also included family photos. The writing is vivid, but the photos were a beautiful and intimate addition that made me feel even closer to her story.
Seeing Ghosts is centered around the author’s experience losing her mother to cancer at a young age. She also explores several generations of her family’s history in China, The United States, and Cuba and the complicated family dynamics that shaped her.
In many ways this is a ghost story. She describes the lingering emotions tied to grief, generational trauma, and learning about loved ones after their death. It was such an affecting way to frame her experience.
It took a few chapters to get into the flow because the narrative bounces around in time through short vignettes. But once I was in the groove, I was captivated by Kat Chow’s storytelling!
I loved that the book also included family photos. The writing is vivid, but the photos were a beautiful and intimate addition that made me feel even closer to her story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism