A review by natexy
Impractical Uses of Cake by Yeoh Jo-Ann

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

4.0

I’m biased because it’s my first time being able to recognise the road names and imagine the plot unfolding in a cityscape I’m so familiar with. I’ve always been lost in the cities of US/ UK in books but never have I had the privilege to be lost in Singapore in a fictional story. It’s a pretty magical experience!

I liked the writing style, very self-referential, witty and also full of literary references. I found the characters pretty unlikeable though 😅 The humdrum routine of Sukhin’s life was depressing and I also found it frustrating that he refused to speak his mind and COMMUNICATE to Jinn till the last quarter. . .

The storyline was a little unrealistic too, but it is a story afterall 😀 

I appreciated the cultural references and local slang, but I wonder if I’d like this story as much if I didn’t understand its nuances. 

Overall, it was still a heartwarming read. Always lovely to be reminded that we shouldn’t lap up society’s expectations of what’s “normal” and “successful” mindlessly.