A review by okaychanly
Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I read this because I had just finished Yellowface by R.F. Kuang and was looking for something in a similar vein. Both explore themes of identity, cultural expectations, and the complexities of navigating one's place within broader societal and academic contexts through the use of satire. However, with Disorientation I struggled to finish this book. It's entirely too long. The satire itself was annoying sometimes and the chaotic nature that developed within subplots lost me. On top of that, Ingrid Yang was an infuriating protagonist. It has some perks, esp. in regards to humor, but overall, it was just a tough one to get through. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings