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Crying in H Mart

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'Crying in H Mart' by Michelle Zauner is a poignant memoir that delves into the author's journey through grief and self-discovery following her mother's battle with cancer. Through heartfelt storytelling and rich descriptions of food and Korean heritage, Zauner navigates the complexities of familial relationships, cultural identity, and the profound impact of loss. The book beautifully captures the author's emotional turmoil, personal growth, and the enduring bond between a mother and daughter, making it a compelling and moving read for those seeking a deeper understanding of love, grief, and the power of memory.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is both conversational and lyrical, effectively conveying deep emotions while being relatable and engaging.

Plot/Storyline:

The memoir centers on the author's journey of grief following her mother's death, blending memories of their relationship and cultural identity through food.

Setting:

The setting predominantly spans the U.S., infused with cultural aspects of Korean identity, especially through culinary experiences.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with emotional high points and moments for reflection, though some find parts of it less compelling.
H Mart is a supermarket chain that specializes in Asian food. The H stands for han ah reum, a Korean phrase that roughly translates to “one arm full of groceries.” H Mart is where parachute kids flock...

Notes:

The author, Michelle Zauner, is the lead singer of the band Japanese Breakfast.
The memoir explores Zauner's relationship with her Korean mother and her grief after her mother's death from cancer.
Food plays a significant role in the book, symbolizing love and cultural heritage.
Zauner's experiences growing up mixed-race in a predominantly white environment are a central theme.
The book covers Zauner's journey to reconnect with her Korean roots through cooking after her mother's passing.
Crying in H Mart is a deeply emotional memoir that resonated with many readers, particularly those dealing with loss.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The memoir includes content warnings for terminal illness, cancer, grief, and emotional distress associated with loss.

From The Publisher:

NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER - A Best Book of 2021: Entertainment Weekly, Good Morning America, Wall Street Journal, and more From the indie rockstar of Japanese Breakfast fame, and author of the viral 2018 New Yorker essay that shares the title of this book, an unflinching, powerful memoir about growing up Korean American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity. In this exquisite story of family, food, grief, and endurance, Michelle Zauner proves herself far more than a dazzling singer, songwriter, and guitarist. With humor and heart, she tells of growing up one of the few Asian American kids at her school in Eugene, Oregon; of struggling with her mother's particular, high expectations of her; of a painful adolescence; of treasured months spent in her grandmother's tiny apartment in Seoul, where she and her mother would bond, late at night, over heaping plates of food. As she grew up, moving to the East Coast for college, finding work in the restaurant industry, and performing gigs with her fledgling band-and meeting the man who would become her husband-her Koreanness began to feel ever more distant, even as she found the life she wanted to live. It was her mother's diagnosis of terminal cancer, when Michelle was twenty-five, that forced a reckoning with her identity and brought her to reclaim the gifts of taste, language, and history her mother had given her. Vivacious and plainspoken, lyrical and honest, Zauner's voice is as radiantly alive on the page as it is onstage. Rich with intimate anecdotes that will resonate widely, and complete with family photos, Crying in H Mart is a book to cherish, share, and reread.

Ratings (76)

Incredible (12)
Loved It (31)
Liked It (16)
It Was OK (13)
Did Not Like (3)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (185):

Read It (76)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (88)
Did Not Finish (5)
Not Interested (15)

6 comment(s)

Incredible
6 days

I picked this up randomly as an audiobook and was surprised on how much I liked it. Very emotional and well written as well as well narrated

 
Incredible
1 week

“She was my champion, she was my archive. She had taken the utmost care to preserve the evidence of my existence and growth, capturing me in images, saving all my documents and possessions. She had all knowledge of my being memorized. The time I was born, my unborn cravings, the first book I read. The formation of every characteristic. Every ailment and little victory. She observed me with unparalleled interest, inexhaustible devotion.”

Such a heart wrenchingly good book with 4.5/5 prose that made me tear up many many times. The love for her mom throughout her life and her mom’s love for her jumped off of the pages and was a joy to follow along with.

 
Incredible
1 month

Michelle’s descriptions of family, food, grief, trauma, and her relationships with her family and husband are immersive, honestly descriptive, and heartfelt.

 
It Was OK
3 months

3.5 stars

A tender memoir on the losing a parent and with that loosing the sense of cultural inclusion. The author is an immigrant and her mother was the only tie that she had with her Korean ancestry. As her mother's life withers away to cancer, Author understands what it means to have a mother and her care through food (Asian mothers show love with food not words).

Fluidly narrated with mouth watering food details and loss.

Happy Reading!!

 
Loved It
9 months

Emotional intensity

Grief and loss

Family relationships

Mother-daughter dynamics

Self-doubt and insecurities

Korean culture and cuisine

Tribute to loved ones

Sensory writing

Emotional resilience

Cathartic storytelling

Reflective narrative

Personal growth

Introspective journey

Heartfelt prose

 
Loved It
1 year

I thoroughly adored this book. It stirred a multitude of emotions within me, prompting an outpouring of tears. Having experienced the profound loss of both my parents, this book served as a cathartic outlet, aiding me in navigating the enduring ache I confront each day. I believe grief unifies us all, evoking shared sentiments. Undoubtedly, this is a valuable book I, and I wholeheartedly endorse it.

 

About the Author:

MICHELLE ZAUNER is best known as a singer and guitarist who creates dreamy, shoegaze-inspired indie pop under the name Japanese Breakfast. She has won acclaim from major music outlets around the world for releases like Psychopomp (2016) and Soft Sounds from Another Planet (2017).

 
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