Book Review: Crying in H-Mart

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Published:

Michelle Zaunerā€™s Crying in H-Mart recounts the death of her mother. The narrative dances between a turbulent cross-cultural childhood, her motherā€™s gradual loss to cancer, and the painful family fractures left in its wake.

Hereā€™s the paperback and audiobook.

Utility: ā­ā­ (2/5)

Sometimes relatable, sometimes surreal, the book is first and foremost a personal history. I drew important lessons on the tensions between Asian and western cultures and the values that become clear only in light of mortality.

Writing: ā­ā­ā­ā­ (4/5)

Zauner is great at bringing out the tears. She has a talent for building characters that feel human and present, characters that youā€™ll care for. Which makes her storyā€”tragic but trueā€”all the more gripping. A generally pleasant experience.