Book No. 34 of 2020 ⭐️
This outstanding book is one of those pieces of writing that articulates feelings you didn’t know could be put into words. It’s also the type of book that I wish more people—not just Asian Americans—would read, because it so clearly expresses aspects of the Asian American (and in some cases, overall non-white) experience that are hard to explain if you don’t have that lived experience. Hong is also very clear about the fact that Asian Americans are not a monolith, and that she is not trying to speak for all Asian Americans.
I especially appreciated Hong’s fiery rebuke of the idea that Asian Americans should be “grateful” for their Americanness, given the iron grip of violence, racism, oppression, war, and colonialism that still shape the lives even of those of us who are born here. Certain people could benefit from reading this before they speak for an entire swath of the population. 🙃
Similar Reads
Lots of the themes in this book reminded me of those in Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu, particularly in the courtroom scene which summarizes key events and legislation in American history.
I was also strongly reminded of Sour Heart by Jenny Zhang, which in addition to being similar thematically had a similar poetic/descriptive specificity to its writing style.
I also thought of Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime, for a personal narrative that addresses the reality of racism and how it permeates everyday life.