Scan barcode
A review by readingspells
Takeaway: Stories From a Childhood Behind the Counter by Angela Hui
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Now I really want a Chinese takeaway!
This is a fascinating look at the culture phenomenon that is the British Chinese Takeaway and shines a light on life behind the counter as a Chinese immigrant in the UK and the impact of being bought up in that environment. Angela was 'the kids from the takeaway' She doesn't feel British enough to be a Brit and she also doesn't feel Chinese enough either.
This memoir tells the story of that battle of identity but also her battle as a daughter and a youngest child in her family. The expectations on her from her Chinese parents and the Chinese community and those from her mostly white Welsh friends and the surrounding community.
It is also a bit of a love letter to Chinese food and I loved the recipe's interspersed throughout the book and how they connected to the story of her family.
I listened to the audio which was read by the author but this was one of those rare occasions where I feel like maybe she was not the right person to read it. At times it was a bit stilted and oddly flat, lacking in emotion and her cadence just seemed a bit off at times.
Still highly recommend this one though. It's a really powerful and poignant story of a core part of our food culture in the UK.
This is a fascinating look at the culture phenomenon that is the British Chinese Takeaway and shines a light on life behind the counter as a Chinese immigrant in the UK and the impact of being bought up in that environment. Angela was 'the kids from the takeaway' She doesn't feel British enough to be a Brit and she also doesn't feel Chinese enough either.
This memoir tells the story of that battle of identity but also her battle as a daughter and a youngest child in her family. The expectations on her from her Chinese parents and the Chinese community and those from her mostly white Welsh friends and the surrounding community.
It is also a bit of a love letter to Chinese food and I loved the recipe's interspersed throughout the book and how they connected to the story of her family.
I listened to the audio which was read by the author but this was one of those rare occasions where I feel like maybe she was not the right person to read it. At times it was a bit stilted and oddly flat, lacking in emotion and her cadence just seemed a bit off at times.
Still highly recommend this one though. It's a really powerful and poignant story of a core part of our food culture in the UK.