RaveThe Associated PressWith fine attention to detail, Yoon Choi’s fictional debut Skinship welcomes readers into the lives of immigrant and first-generation Korean Americans ... each chapter is a different take on how life, culture and language interact as characters navigate unfamiliar places ... Each chapter takes on a distinct voice and perspective, highlighting the intimacies perhaps known only by those who straddle the fence of two worlds ... Choi’s writing closely details the emotions and inner lives of her characters; they feel real in a way that rings true, even when the truth is a little ugly. Choi does not shy away from depicting the colorism deeply rooted in Korean culture; the sometimes willful refusal to acknowledge problems; and the heavy emphasis on saving face and avoiding shame ... Her collection is a fresh take on the experience of newcomers to America — stories of love, disappointment and sacrifice.
