Wai Chim

Anna's father is often away, working long hours at his restaurant, and her mother sometimes stays in bed for weeks on end. Anna just wants normalcy -- she doesn't see herself excelling as a student, despite her teachers' exhortations to push herself and the guidance counselor's focus on adding extracurriculars and personal development. She'd love to be able to help out more at the restaurant, but with her mother's fragile mental health, she often ends up caring for her younger siblings. A sweet romance blossoms with her father's new delivery boy, but in the meantime, her mother's grip on reality is growing more and more shaky.

This is a good exploration of what it's like to deal with a parent who is struggling with mental illness. I had expected the romance to be more of a focus, but it's really mostly about Anna's family relationships. I don't feel like the characters are all fully developed, and certain elements are very predictable. I think a teen experiencing similar issues might find it a comforting read, but I probably wouldn't recommend it to adults in general.… (mer)

#3 in the Goodreads NZ Readathon

CW: Suicidal thoughts, mental health issues resulting in child neglect and institutionalisation (possibly bipolar), racial stereotyping, animal cruelty.

Warning: This book will bring on an intense desire to eat dumplings and other delicious Chinese food.

What a gem of a book. I loved the dynamics between the different family members and reading about the customary deferential treatment of parents in Chinese culture. The way the tension built up slowly was quite masterful. As the mother started becoming more erratic I could feel my own anxiety rising as an inevitable breaking point drew closer. I thought the portrayal of the stigma around mental illness was good, and having the Chinese cultural views carefully and respectfully added in brought another layer of depth. The heart-breaking moments were balanced nicely with the warmth I felt at the loving moments between the siblings. I think this is also quite an important book in terms of understanding the pressures faced by young people who have family responsibilities and obligations. These responsibilities are juggled with school, following their own interests/hobbies, building relationships and developing their own sense of identity. Anna is navigating all of this as a Chinese-Australian. This adds a further layer of complexity as her parents maintain that their Chinese values need to be upheld by the family. Anna was an endearing character and I really enjoyed her journey.

A book with incredible heart and depth. I thoroughly recommend it.… (mer)