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ambershelf 's review for:
888 Love and the Divine Burden of Numbers
by Abraham Chang
ARC gifted by the publisher. ALC gifted by librofm & Macmillan audio
Young Wang has received plenty of wisdom from his beloved uncle (Su Su), and one sticks with him the most: everyone gets just 7 great loves in their life—so don't blow it. Young meticulously analyzes everything in his life, driven by Chinese numerology and superstition. When he falls in love with the brilliant & charismatic Erena in 1995, Young realizes she's her 6th love. Is Erena the one? How will Young's superstitions affect their relationship?
888 is a coming-of-age story that will have 80s/90s babies nostalgic with its pop culture references. While I only sometimes got the music/movie connections, I was utterly impressed with this unique Chinese/Taiwanese immigrant story that doesn't rely on ANY stereotypes. Young's shyness & romanticism, Su Su's free-spirited demeanor, Erena's NSFW humor, and Young's supportive family, 888 demonstrate the joys, wonders, and awkwardness of growing up with loving friends & families.
Chang's skills as a poet shine through in 888, where second-person narratives, non-linear writing, and Su Su's advice written in letters alternate to deliver an experimental reading experience. For those wondering if the writing style will work for you, I highly recommend the brilliantly narrated audiobook by Eunice Wong.
I absolutely love the ending. Who would've thought a coming-of-age story about finding your one great love would make a grumpy 30-something tear up? I adore the message that our lives go on even if the story ends. Chang does something fascinating stylistically to demonstrate that while we are all the protagonists in our journey, others in our lives aren't just side characters either. The ending brims with tenderness and earnestness and makes me wish I had grown up in the US (something that NEVER happens when I read Asian immigrant stories for obvious reasons lol).
Clocking at 400 pages, it took me a bit to get into the rhythm of 888, and I wish the book were shorter, but the ending is so worth the build-up. For those looking for a unique narrative with experimental writing on growing up Asian in the 90s, don't miss 888!
Young Wang has received plenty of wisdom from his beloved uncle (Su Su), and one sticks with him the most: everyone gets just 7 great loves in their life—so don't blow it. Young meticulously analyzes everything in his life, driven by Chinese numerology and superstition. When he falls in love with the brilliant & charismatic Erena in 1995, Young realizes she's her 6th love. Is Erena the one? How will Young's superstitions affect their relationship?
888 is a coming-of-age story that will have 80s/90s babies nostalgic with its pop culture references. While I only sometimes got the music/movie connections, I was utterly impressed with this unique Chinese/Taiwanese immigrant story that doesn't rely on ANY stereotypes. Young's shyness & romanticism, Su Su's free-spirited demeanor, Erena's NSFW humor, and Young's supportive family, 888 demonstrate the joys, wonders, and awkwardness of growing up with loving friends & families.
Chang's skills as a poet shine through in 888, where second-person narratives, non-linear writing, and Su Su's advice written in letters alternate to deliver an experimental reading experience. For those wondering if the writing style will work for you, I highly recommend the brilliantly narrated audiobook by Eunice Wong.
I absolutely love the ending. Who would've thought a coming-of-age story about finding your one great love would make a grumpy 30-something tear up? I adore the message that our lives go on even if the story ends. Chang does something fascinating stylistically to demonstrate that while we are all the protagonists in our journey, others in our lives aren't just side characters either. The ending brims with tenderness and earnestness and makes me wish I had grown up in the US (something that NEVER happens when I read Asian immigrant stories for obvious reasons lol).
Clocking at 400 pages, it took me a bit to get into the rhythm of 888, and I wish the book were shorter, but the ending is so worth the build-up. For those looking for a unique narrative with experimental writing on growing up Asian in the 90s, don't miss 888!