RaveMarie ClaireMichelle Zauner\'s Crying in H Mart is as good as everyone says it is and, yes, it will have you in tears ... an essential read for anybody who has lost a loved one, as well as those who haven\'t ... I respect Zauner for sharing her darkest moments, her messy relationship with both her mother and father, the deep questions she had about her identity, and the confidence she has in who she is as she explores all of this. Korean or not, I think there is something for everyone. Zauner keeps it real with her storytelling; straightforward and analytical at times, but also deeply honest and vulnerable. I’m torn if I’m ok with her explaining in detail each Korean food or tradition, because in some ways, it felt like it was appeasing a Western audience ... Reading through this made me recognize how deeply personal food is, as we see how much comfort it brought Zauner during the most difficult time of her life. Though I haven’t lost a parent, Zauner created space for me to feel what she feels and it stirred up a lot of old feelings I have regarding my parents ... This is a book I’d recommend if you want a good cry or to read something on the topic of grief, love, and coming to terms with your cultural heritage.
Alyssa Cole
PositiveMarie ClaireCole weaves together themes of racism, class, and privilege, while providing readers with a gripping plot about Sydney, a Black woman, and Theo, her white neighbor, who explore the gentrification of their Brooklyn neighborhood from alternating perspectives ... a few people found the ending a bit rushed and were frustrated that some plot points weren\'t fully developed ... Still, it didn\'t take away from the characters\' relatability—sometimes too relatable for those who have been directly impacted by gentrification.
