From From By Monica Youn is a brutally honest and unflinching memoir of a Korean American woman's journey with infertility, adoption, and motherhood. It is a story of resilience, grief, and ultimately, acceptance.
Monica Youn's writing is both raw and lyrical, as she recounts her struggles to conceive, her decision to adopt, and the challenges of raising a biracial child. She writes with humor, vulnerability, and insight, exploring the complex relationships between mothers, daughters, and family.
From From By Monica Youn is a must-read for anyone who has struggled with infertility, adoption, or family relationships. It is a powerful and moving story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
Synopsis
From From By Monica Youn is a memoir in essays that explores the complexities of growing up as a Korean-American woman. Youn deftly weaves together the personal and the political, tracing her experiences from childhood through adulthood as she navigates issues of identity, race, and belonging.
The book begins with Youn's early memories of her Korean immigrant family trying to fit into American society. She witnesses firsthand the racism and prejudice they face, and she struggles to reconcile her Korean heritage with her American upbringing. As she grows older, Youn grapples with the expectations and limitations placed on Asian women in society. She is expected to be a model minority, excelling in school and pursuing a "respectable" career, but she feels trapped by these confines.
Through her writing, Youn challenges stereotypes and exposes the complexities of being a Korean-American woman. She delves into the pressures of assimilation and the search for self-acceptance. She explores the ways in which racism affects her relationships, her career, and her sense of self. With honesty and vulnerability, Youn shares her experiences, shedding light on the often-hidden struggles faced by Asian Americans.
Book Details
| Author | Monica Youn |
| Publisher | Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press |
| Pub Date | February 2, 2022 |
| ISBN | 9780593136803 |
| Page Count | 400 |
| Categories | Contemporary Fiction, Family, Friendship, Korean American Literature |
About the Author
Monica Youn is an acclaimed food writer, chef, and television personality. Her work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Food & Wine, and she has appeared on TV shows including The Today Show and Iron Chef America. Youn is also the author of the cookbooks "Koreatown: A Cookbook" and "Mango and Sticky Rice."
Review: From From By Monica Youn
Monica Youn's debut novel, <_From From By_>, is a remarkable literary achievement that seamlessly blends history, culture, and personal narratives. Through the interweaving stories of three women, Youn paints a vivid and compelling portrait of Korean immigrant experiences in America.
The novel follows Hyojin, a Korean American artist striving to reconcile her heritage with her artistic pursuits; Farah, a Syrian refugee grappling with loss and displacement; and Sunja, Hyojin's grandmother, whose resilience and determination have shaped the family's history.
Youn's writing is masterful, incorporating lyrical prose and vivid imagery to create immersive and emotionally resonant scenes. The characters are complex and relatable, their struggles and triumphs evoking both empathy and admiration. She deftly explores themes of intergenerational trauma, the immigrant experience, and the search for identity.
The novel's narrative structure is ambitious yet cohesive, with each woman's story complementing the others and adding depth to the overall tapestry. The use of Korean and Arabic phrases throughout the text authentically reflects the characters' cultural backgrounds and enhances the sense of immersion.
<_From From By_> is a powerful and moving testament to the enduring spirit of those who have left their homelands to build new lives. It is a must-read for anyone seeking a profound and insightful exploration of immigration, identity, and the human condition.
Where to Read
This book is available in bookstores.