“Crying in H Mart” is a memoir by Michelle Zauner about her experiences growing up as a mixed-race girl in a Korean American family. Raised primarily by her immigrant mother, Zauner explores the challenges of balancing two cultures and trying to find her place within them. She also reflects on how food has played an important role throughout her life, connecting her with both of her families and helping to shape who she is today.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for people who are interested in learning about other cultures, specifically the Korean American culture. It would also be a good choice for readers who enjoy memoirs and autobiographies.
Pros :
- Unique perspective on growing up as a mixed-race person
- E reflections on family, food, and culture
- Touching and poignant stories
Cons :
- The author tends to jump around a lot between topics, making the book difficult to follow at times.
- The writing is often very dense and descriptive, which can be slow going.
- There are some graphic descriptions of food preparation and eating that might not be appropriate for all readers.
Learn more about the author
Michelle Zauner is a writer, radio producer and musician from Philadelphia. She is the creator, host and co-producer of the podcast Why Oh Why?, a series about love and life. Her writing has appeared in The Guardian, New York Magazine’s The Cut, Glamour, Hazlitt and elsewhere.
Reader Reviews
“I loved this book! It was beautifully written and I felt like I got to know Michelle and her family really well. The sections about food were especially interesting to me, as someone who loves cooking and trying new recipes.”
“This beautifully written and powerful memoir is a must-read for anyone interested in what it means to be mixed-race, immigrant, and Asian American.”
“Michelle Zauner’s powerful memoir, Crying in H Mart, is a beautifully written exploration of race, culture and family. Growing up biracial in a Korean-American household where she was often the only non-Korean person around, Zauner has an insightful and unique perspective on what it means to be caught between two cultures. This book is full of touching stories about food, family and identity that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.”
“Reading Michelle Zauner’s Crying in H Mart was one of the most emotional experiences I’ve had in a long time. This beautifully written memoir is at once deeply personal and shockingly universal, as Zauner explores what it means to be caught between cultures. Her stories about growing up biracial and bicultural will ring true for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, but they’re also full of humor and hope. With delicious recipes interspersed throughout, this book is impossible to put down.”
