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ambershelf's Reviews (1.3k)
Escaping her unhappy childhood & volatile father from Rotterdam, marine biologist Leigh joins a deep sea exploration team to search for Earth's first life forms. As her research takes her further away from her past, Leigh faces a dilemma: to remain home with her family or embark on a journey that will take her to the world's edge.
It's tough reviewing the parts I love about this book without any spoilers. But I'll try my best
It's tough reviewing the parts I love about this book without any spoilers. But I'll try my best
Mia, a hyper-analytical college student, isn't initially concerned when her dad & younger brother Eugene don't return home—they must've lost their phone or stopped for errands. But by the time Eugene runs through the front door bloody and alone, the family's life is about to be upended. With their dad missing, the only witness who knows what happened is Eugene, who has a rare genetic condition and doesn't speak.
I LOVE this book; everything about HAPPINESS FALLS just vibes with me really well. From Mia's sometimes overly critical & nerdy voice to the exploration of quantifying happiness, I was utterly absorbed in the story from page one. Even with the amount of footnotes in the book that reflect Mia's narrative voice, I adore reading these references and think it's such a brilliant way to capture Mia's personality further.
While the core plot is about searching for the missing dad, HAPPINESS FALLS is slower-moving compared to most thrillers as Mia references the family's past experiences living in South Korea, growing up with Eugene, and her reflections as a half-Asian & half-white individual.
I especially appreciate that HAPPINESS FALLS explores how we assume intelligence from people's speaking ability. Kim mentioned her own story of immigrating from South Korea and experiencing her classmates' cruelty first-hand because she doesn't speak "perfect" English. Similarly, how other family members treated Eugene because he doesn't talk reflects our biases and ableism of those who have trouble communicating themselves vocally.
HAPPINESS FALLS pairs well with HURT YOU (Marie Myung-Ok Lee); both cover the experiences of Korean-American families navigating anti-Asian sentiments while raising a neurodivergent child from the sibling's perspective. HURT YOU is more YA than HAPPINESS FALLS, but I highly recommend both books to neurotypical readers.
HAPPINESS FALLS is my first Kim novel but it definitely won't be my last. I can't wait to go back and read MIRACLE CREEK!
I LOVE this book; everything about HAPPINESS FALLS just vibes with me really well. From Mia's sometimes overly critical & nerdy voice to the exploration of quantifying happiness, I was utterly absorbed in the story from page one. Even with the amount of footnotes in the book that reflect Mia's narrative voice, I adore reading these references and think it's such a brilliant way to capture Mia's personality further.
While the core plot is about searching for the missing dad, HAPPINESS FALLS is slower-moving compared to most thrillers as Mia references the family's past experiences living in South Korea, growing up with Eugene, and her reflections as a half-Asian & half-white individual.
I especially appreciate that HAPPINESS FALLS explores how we assume intelligence from people's speaking ability. Kim mentioned her own story of immigrating from South Korea and experiencing her classmates' cruelty first-hand because she doesn't speak "perfect" English. Similarly, how other family members treated Eugene because he doesn't talk reflects our biases and ableism of those who have trouble communicating themselves vocally.
HAPPINESS FALLS pairs well with HURT YOU (Marie Myung-Ok Lee); both cover the experiences of Korean-American families navigating anti-Asian sentiments while raising a neurodivergent child from the sibling's perspective. HURT YOU is more YA than HAPPINESS FALLS, but I highly recommend both books to neurotypical readers.
HAPPINESS FALLS is my first Kim novel but it definitely won't be my last. I can't wait to go back and read MIRACLE CREEK!
Thank you to Flatiron Books for the gifted ARC
When a lethal fire erupts at the American Fruit Company's most lucrative banana plantation in Costa Rica in 1968, the future of Teresa Cepeda Valverde's family is changed forever. In the present day, Teresa is estranged from her daughter Lyra and haunted by her mother's ghost. As Teresa approaches her 60th birthday, the secrets of the fire, corporate greed, and family grief once again threaten to swallow everything.
Gorgeously written and sprawling in its depth, FIRE is a mesmerizing exploration of family, secrets, and the lasting impact of generational trauma. Centered around a fire that both consumes and enlightens, Arias weaves a tale that delves deep into the complexities of revenge, forgiveness, and the relentless passage of time.
Perhaps because I read this during Booker season, I find Arias' beautiful prose on par with the books on the Longlist, while covering themes I care much more about
When a lethal fire erupts at the American Fruit Company's most lucrative banana plantation in Costa Rica in 1968, the future of Teresa Cepeda Valverde's family is changed forever. In the present day, Teresa is estranged from her daughter Lyra and haunted by her mother's ghost. As Teresa approaches her 60th birthday, the secrets of the fire, corporate greed, and family grief once again threaten to swallow everything.
Gorgeously written and sprawling in its depth, FIRE is a mesmerizing exploration of family, secrets, and the lasting impact of generational trauma. Centered around a fire that both consumes and enlightens, Arias weaves a tale that delves deep into the complexities of revenge, forgiveness, and the relentless passage of time.
Perhaps because I read this during Booker season, I find Arias' beautiful prose on par with the books on the Longlist, while covering themes I care much more about
After her mother's death, Gopi's dad enlists her in a brutal squash training regimen at 11. As the game consumes her, Gopi grows apart from her sisters and tries to redefine herself on the court.
I appreciate this novel that covers an Indian-British family and explores healing through sports. LANE examines complex father-daughter relationships and sisterhood in a muted and contemplative style. The introspective writing feels a bit underbaked to me, and I had trouble focusing on the sports talk
I appreciate this novel that covers an Indian-British family and explores healing through sports. LANE examines complex father-daughter relationships and sisterhood in a muted and contemplative style. The introspective writing feels a bit underbaked to me, and I had trouble focusing on the sports talk
Marianne is only 8 when her mother goes missing. As she grows older, Marianne is trapped in the immense loss that leads her down a path of self-destruction until the discovery of a medieval poem called Pearl. Can art heal her?
Out of all three, PEARL is my favorite. Hughes beautifully captures the loneliness of coming of age and the ache of grief with gorgeous prose and lyrical writing. I especially adore the exploration of "unmothering" & motherhood, the tremendous weight of becoming a mother, and the examination of postpartum depression. Through Marianne's innocent narrative, Hughes asks the readers, How do you move on when you're severed from your mother?
Out of all three, PEARL is my favorite. Hughes beautifully captures the loneliness of coming of age and the ache of grief with gorgeous prose and lyrical writing. I especially adore the exploration of "unmothering" & motherhood, the tremendous weight of becoming a mother, and the examination of postpartum depression. Through Marianne's innocent narrative, Hughes asks the readers, How do you move on when you're severed from your mother?
With the assistance of his dad and teachers, 13-year-old Jamie hopes to build a boat, more precisely, a perpetual motion machine, that will help him learn more about his dead mother.
BOAT starts out promising with Jamie's unique narrative of trying to connect with the dead. Unfortunately, the story falls apart as it tries to cover too much with campus drama, marriage issues, and family secrets. Some reviewers also point out that Feeny's portrayal of Jamie as a neurodivergent person (albeit not explicitly stated) is rather superficial, stereotypical, and inaccurate. I adore the first 1/3 of BOAT but feel it required some editing & sensitivity reading.
BOAT starts out promising with Jamie's unique narrative of trying to connect with the dead. Unfortunately, the story falls apart as it tries to cover too much with campus drama, marriage issues, and family secrets. Some reviewers also point out that Feeny's portrayal of Jamie as a neurodivergent person (albeit not explicitly stated) is rather superficial, stereotypical, and inaccurate. I adore the first 1/3 of BOAT but feel it required some editing & sensitivity reading.
Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for the gifted ALC. Out today, 9/5
WEDNESDAY’S CHILD is a compelling short story collection that delves into the lives of women, offering a poignant exploration of marriage, longing, motherhood, and aging. The stories are suffused with a sense of melancholy and an undercurrent of grief & loss, all delivered quietly and contemplatively.
Li's writing style offers a slice-of-life perspective, allowing readers to connect with characters at different stages of their lives, and there's an absence of clear-cut endings, which adds to the stories' realism. One of the standout aspects of this collection is the seamless interweaving of Chinese heritage and American cultures, creating a rich tapestry of identity and experiences.
The titular story, Wednesday's Child, stands out as a heartbreaking exploration of child loss, reminiscent of WHERE REASONS END. Li approaches this sensitive topic with exceptional care and tenderness, making it a truly moving read.
While the other stories in the collection are equally beautiful, it's natural to feel that none quite match the emotional impact of Wednesday's Child, likely attributed to the high bar set by the first story.
Overall, WEDNESDAY’S CHILD is a phenomenal collection, particularly resonant for mothers, as it delves into the complexities of postpartum depression and the profound influence of motherhood on a woman's identity. What adds an extra layer of authenticity to the narratives is the fact that Li narrated her own stories, providing a unique and intimate connection between the author and the reader. This collection is a must-read for those who appreciate nuanced storytelling and a deep exploration of a mother’s experience.
WEDNESDAY’S CHILD is a compelling short story collection that delves into the lives of women, offering a poignant exploration of marriage, longing, motherhood, and aging. The stories are suffused with a sense of melancholy and an undercurrent of grief & loss, all delivered quietly and contemplatively.
Li's writing style offers a slice-of-life perspective, allowing readers to connect with characters at different stages of their lives, and there's an absence of clear-cut endings, which adds to the stories' realism. One of the standout aspects of this collection is the seamless interweaving of Chinese heritage and American cultures, creating a rich tapestry of identity and experiences.
The titular story, Wednesday's Child, stands out as a heartbreaking exploration of child loss, reminiscent of WHERE REASONS END. Li approaches this sensitive topic with exceptional care and tenderness, making it a truly moving read.
While the other stories in the collection are equally beautiful, it's natural to feel that none quite match the emotional impact of Wednesday's Child, likely attributed to the high bar set by the first story.
Overall, WEDNESDAY’S CHILD is a phenomenal collection, particularly resonant for mothers, as it delves into the complexities of postpartum depression and the profound influence of motherhood on a woman's identity. What adds an extra layer of authenticity to the narratives is the fact that Li narrated her own stories, providing a unique and intimate connection between the author and the reader. This collection is a must-read for those who appreciate nuanced storytelling and a deep exploration of a mother’s experience.