My Summer of Love and Misfortuneby Lindsay Wong
narrated by Nancy Wu
Published: 2020
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Hardback: 384
Rating: 5
YA, China, Beijing | Goodreads | Website
First sentence(s):
I, Iris Wang, was born to be unlucky.
Zombie sighting:
I see my mom stiffen like a zombie. -chapter 7
Iris Wang is having a bit of a rough start to her summer: Her boyfriend cheated on her, she didn’t get into any colleges, and she has no idea who she is or what she wants to do with her life. She’s always felt torn about being Chinese-American, feeling neither Chinese nor American enough to claim either identity. She’s just a sad pizza combo from Domino’s, as far as she’s concerned.
In an attempt to snap her out of her funk, Iris’s parents send her away to visit family in Beijing, with the hopes that Iris would “reconnect with her culture” and “find herself.” Iris resents the condescension, but even she admits that this might be a good opportunity to hit the reset button on the apocalyptic disaster that has become her life.
With this trip, Iris expects to eat a few dumplings, meet some family, and visit a tourist hotspot or two. Instead, she gets swept up in the ridiculous, opulent world of Beijing’s wealthy elite, leading her to unexpected and extraordinary discoveries about her family, her future, and herself.
My two-bits:
Oh, a young spoiled hot mess gets sent off to family in Beijing, China. Although this protagonist coming of age was painful to read, (bit cringe-y at times) it was wonderful to see the transformation.
Enjoyed the comments and observations of this American Chinese experience as well as sights, sounds and traditions of the place.
Loved how the concept of family and its ways were presented.
Got a kick out of the references to the chinese zodiac animals and how they interconnect (or not so much).
* Listened to audiobook version.
* part of Summertime time ( schedule )
