This expansive memoir follows Hua Hsu's formative years in college and his three-year close friendship with Ken, another Asian American man attending Berkeley. Hua defines himself at college--rebel, lover of music, creative--and juxtaposes that identity with Ken's--a charming frat boy. These two shouldn't form a close bond, but they do. Unfortunately that bond is severed when Ken is murdered in a carjacking.

Using their friendship and Ken's death as focal points, Hsu discusses so many things. Identity, politics, love, family, guilt, redemption. It's amazing how he explores so many "life" issues through the 3-year friendship and years-long grief of this central relationship in his life. While the stories and details shared here are specific to Hua and Ken, they expound on bigger issues. Why Hua felt guilt about Ken's death. Why Ken? This memoir is emotionally resonant, especially in how it conveys how a short friendship like Ken's and Hua's can create lifelong memories and monumental growth. I really like this one.