A review by mayannecosplay
This Place Is Still Beautiful by XiXi Tian

challenging reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 This is a story of two sisters brought together in the aftermath of a hate crime. It deals with difficult topics of racism, tense family dynamics, the culture divide between first and second generation immigrant families, the model minority myth, white guilt and racial gaslighting. It was an uncomfortable and poignant read but also so incredibly important and validating as a mixed-race Asian. 

The dual POV of Margaret and Annalie following the aftermath of the hate crime demonstrated their opposing experiences as mixed-race Asians very well. Often times I would relate to Margaret's rage and action over Annalie's passivity and would want to shake Annalie out of her poor decisions. I saw myself and my past experiences as a teenager in her and it was frustrating but also so validating. Her white-passing experience was particularly relevant to me, right down to the microaggressions, the other-ing comments and the guilt of being spared by the brunt of anti-Asian racism. This quote hit particularly hard: 

"You're standing with a foot inside the door of whiteness, but you'll never step all the way in." 

This book deals with mature themes that I think young adults in high school could appreciate. The writing and plot was not as fleshed out as I would have liked and the ending felt rushed. I wished I was left a little more hopeful by the conclusion rather than frustrated and sad. But as a whole, this story was very realistic and reflected the many experiences mixed-race and Asian-American teenagers deal with in this current age. Definitely a book I would recommend! 
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