MA AND ME takes the readers on a deeply intimate journey through Reang's life, a Cambodian-American queer woman navigating her complicated relationship with her mother. Reang's mom fled an arranged marriage but eventually returned to Cambodia due to the Vietnam War. Her family later escaped the Cambodian genocide and arrived in America, only to face the challenges of losing everything they'd built back home and transitioning to a new culture.

Reang focuses on her complex relationship with her mother and the clashes between cultural and personal values. Due to her mom's homophobic views, Reang has a strained relationship growing up and must accept that her mother's love and acceptance are not unconditional. I was profoundly moved by Reang's realization of her parents' limitations–racism, homophobia, and misogyny–and her attempts to maintain a relationship despite their differences.

Another standout to me was Reang's return to Cambodia to learn more about the genocide, connect with her lost relatives and culture, and the survivor's guilt she suffered from these visits.

MA AND ME is a profoundly moving and intricate memoir of family, identity, and the complexities of love. It is a must-read for anyone looking to learn more about the Cambodian-American experience, especially at the intersection of queer identity.