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Others Were Emeralds: A Lyrical Coming-of-Age Novel of Cambodian Refugees, Friendship, and Racism in Australia
“Others Were Emeralds kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. With lyrical and moving prose, Lang tells a stunning tale of love, loss, and the true power of friendship. A deep, beautiful novel." — Etaf Rum, New York Times bestselling author of A Woman is No Man
Internationally acclaimed poet Lang Leav’s debut adult novel combines her poetical lyricism and emotional acumen to create an enthralling coming of age narrative set against the backdrop of anti-Asian sentiment sweeping Australia in the late 90’s. A stirring portrayal of guilt, loss, and memory, Others Were Emeralds explores the inherent danger of allowing our misconceptions to shape our reality.
What comes first, the photograph or the memory?
The daughter of Cambodian refugees, Ai grew up in the small Australian town of Whitlam populated by Asian immigrants who once fled war-torn countries to rebuild their shattered lives. It is now the late '90s and despite their parents' harrowing past, Ai and her tightknit group of school charismatic Brigitte, sweet, endearing Bowie, shy, inscrutable Tin, and politically minded Sying, lead seemingly ordinary lives, far removed from the unimaginable horrors suffered by their parents.
But that carefree innocence is shattered in their last year of school when Ai and her friends encounter a pair of racist men whose cruel acts of intimidation spiral into senseless violence. Grappling with the magnitude of her grief at such a young age, Ai leaves Whitlam for college before her trauma has a chance to fully resolve.
In her second year of college Ai suffers a mental health crisis, driving her back home to Whitlam, a place she swore never to return. There, she reconnects with those she left behind and together they are compelled to look back on the tragedy that shaped their adolescence and examine the role they may have unwittingly played.
Internationally acclaimed poet Lang Leav’s debut adult novel combines her poetical lyricism and emotional acumen to create an enthralling coming of age narrative set against the backdrop of anti-Asian sentiment sweeping Australia in the late 90’s. A stirring portrayal of guilt, loss, and memory, Others Were Emeralds explores the inherent danger of allowing our misconceptions to shape our reality.
What comes first, the photograph or the memory?
The daughter of Cambodian refugees, Ai grew up in the small Australian town of Whitlam populated by Asian immigrants who once fled war-torn countries to rebuild their shattered lives. It is now the late '90s and despite their parents' harrowing past, Ai and her tightknit group of school charismatic Brigitte, sweet, endearing Bowie, shy, inscrutable Tin, and politically minded Sying, lead seemingly ordinary lives, far removed from the unimaginable horrors suffered by their parents.
But that carefree innocence is shattered in their last year of school when Ai and her friends encounter a pair of racist men whose cruel acts of intimidation spiral into senseless violence. Grappling with the magnitude of her grief at such a young age, Ai leaves Whitlam for college before her trauma has a chance to fully resolve.
In her second year of college Ai suffers a mental health crisis, driving her back home to Whitlam, a place she swore never to return. There, she reconnects with those she left behind and together they are compelled to look back on the tragedy that shaped their adolescence and examine the role they may have unwittingly played.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2023
92 people are currently reading
11471 people want to read
About the author
Lang Leav
19 books11.6k followersNovelist and poet Lang Leav was born in a refugee camp when her family were fleeing the Khmer Rouge Regime. She spent her formative years in Sydney, Australia, in the predominantly migrant town of Cabramatta. Among her many achievements, Lang is the winner of a Qantas Spirit of Youth Award, Churchill Fellowship and Goodreads Reader’s Choice Award.
Lang has been featured on CNN, SBS Australia, Intelligence Squared UK, Radio New Zealand and in various publications, including Vogue, Newsweek, the Straits Times, the Guardian, and the New York Times. She currently lives in New Zealand with her partner and fellow author, Michael Faudet.
Lang has been featured on CNN, SBS Australia, Intelligence Squared UK, Radio New Zealand and in various publications, including Vogue, Newsweek, the Straits Times, the Guardian, and the New York Times. She currently lives in New Zealand with her partner and fellow author, Michael Faudet.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
August 6, 2023
This was such a heartwarming book. For the initial 15 pages, I found it to be too lyrical and poetic and thought I might end up not liking it. But gradually, the plot started taking hold and I liked reading about Bowie and Ai. Sying was absolute monstrous and her mind games were shown aptly. Everyone should have a friend like Brigitte and a mom like Lucille. The duo was amazing and inspite of their hardships, they were so kind to all.
Others were Emeralds brings out many pertinent topics like racism, loss of family member, handling tragedy, grief and confusions of adolescents. All of this has been handled by author so sensitively. Midway through the book when the twist came, I was not prepared for it at all and was shocked as to how to handle it.
Lang Leav has done a tremendous great job on her debut novel and am looking forward to read more of her other works.
Others were Emeralds brings out many pertinent topics like racism, loss of family member, handling tragedy, grief and confusions of adolescents. All of this has been handled by author so sensitively. Midway through the book when the twist came, I was not prepared for it at all and was shocked as to how to handle it.
Lang Leav has done a tremendous great job on her debut novel and am looking forward to read more of her other works.
September 18, 2023
I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher (Harper Perennial) for promotional purposes. Since I received an ARC, my quotes from the book are tentative.
I am such a huge fan of Lang Leav, so I knew I had to read this book. I thought this was such a poignant and impactful story.
The story takes place in Australia during the late 90’s. As an Asian American, it was fascinating learning about Australia and its racial tensions during that time. I also enjoyed learning more about the large group of Asian refugees who moved to Australia.
The writing style is gorgeous. Lang Leav is a wonderful poet so it’s no surprise her prose is just as beautiful.
The best part of the book was the exploration of friendships, particularly Ai and Brigitte’s. At times their friendship reminded me of Olivia Rodrigo’s song, “Lacy,” because of the jealousy that Ai sometimes had towards Brigitte. The author weaved an intricate portrayal of their sometimes complicated friendship. The theme of grief and loss was also masterfully woven all throughout the story.
I do have two minor critiques. The first being that the 2 parts of the story felt unbalanced. Part 1 was twice as long as part 2, making part 2 feel a little rushed. My second critique is that this book felt more YA than adult. That isn’t a bad thing (I love YA); I just feel like it was miscategorized.
Lastly, I want to share a quote about the magic of books that I loved. Brigitte states, “I’m envisioning a bookshelf lined with tiny doors. A whole world behind each one. I’m in awe of the way authors can bring these worlds to life the way they do. Like Wonderland for example. It’s so detailed, it feels just like a real place to me—as real as any other” (pg. 45). I couldn’t agree more! Books can feel so real.
Overall, this was a moving and beautifully written story!
I am such a huge fan of Lang Leav, so I knew I had to read this book. I thought this was such a poignant and impactful story.
The story takes place in Australia during the late 90’s. As an Asian American, it was fascinating learning about Australia and its racial tensions during that time. I also enjoyed learning more about the large group of Asian refugees who moved to Australia.
The writing style is gorgeous. Lang Leav is a wonderful poet so it’s no surprise her prose is just as beautiful.
The best part of the book was the exploration of friendships, particularly Ai and Brigitte’s. At times their friendship reminded me of Olivia Rodrigo’s song, “Lacy,” because of the jealousy that Ai sometimes had towards Brigitte. The author weaved an intricate portrayal of their sometimes complicated friendship. The theme of grief and loss was also masterfully woven all throughout the story.
I do have two minor critiques. The first being that the 2 parts of the story felt unbalanced. Part 1 was twice as long as part 2, making part 2 feel a little rushed. My second critique is that this book felt more YA than adult. That isn’t a bad thing (I love YA); I just feel like it was miscategorized.
Lastly, I want to share a quote about the magic of books that I loved. Brigitte states, “I’m envisioning a bookshelf lined with tiny doors. A whole world behind each one. I’m in awe of the way authors can bring these worlds to life the way they do. Like Wonderland for example. It’s so detailed, it feels just like a real place to me—as real as any other” (pg. 45). I couldn’t agree more! Books can feel so real.
Overall, this was a moving and beautifully written story!
November 14, 2023
A wonderful premise despite how the plot traversed a perspective of grief with a compelling admirable friendship that also struck me with a touching heart-rending story. Really love the intricacies of its prose; so neat and somehow poetic and I like how it intertwined a coming-of-age narrative to stories of immigrants with an enthralling historical reference to the Cambodian Civil War.
Set in the late 90s in the town of Whitlam, I followed Ai and her friends in their high school journey living the seemingly ordinary lives far from the horrors suffered by their refugee parents. The carefree innocence life took a turn when Ai experiencing an unexpected incident during her last year of school that grappled her into a slump of grief and harrowing trauma. A year later in college has drowned Ai in a series of psychological crisis that soon brought her back to Whitlam to uncover the lump of regrets and sorrow which still hauntingly hanging inside her soul.
It was so emotionally driven than I expected; the friendship drama esp was so engrossingly explored and engulfed me with both warmth and sadness. Lovely dynamics for the characters although I read much of everyone only from Ai’s perspective— love Brigitte, Tin and Aysum also a love-hate for Sying as she mostly stepped on my nerves but I like that her part mainly related to the discrimination issue facing by most immigrants; a perspective that triggered and reflected on societal outlook also the consequences if it was handled too recklessly.
Part 2 was a bit mellow to me as it delved further into Ai’s solitude and psychological musings. Quite rush yet I love how it explored the healing process of Ai in dealing with her estrangement and isolation, of reaching her dreams and hope as well reconnecting back with those she has left behind. It was a beautiful and impactful journey that really hooked me. The love story too was just nicely added and I swooned a lot for the ending.
“I treasured each new epiphany like a jewel in my palm, something shiny and glittering to be admired and examined from every angle and then stored away with the others. Some jewels were more like polished stones. Some were semiprecious. Others were emeralds.”
4.2/5 stars!
Thank you Times Reads for the gifted review copy!
Set in the late 90s in the town of Whitlam, I followed Ai and her friends in their high school journey living the seemingly ordinary lives far from the horrors suffered by their refugee parents. The carefree innocence life took a turn when Ai experiencing an unexpected incident during her last year of school that grappled her into a slump of grief and harrowing trauma. A year later in college has drowned Ai in a series of psychological crisis that soon brought her back to Whitlam to uncover the lump of regrets and sorrow which still hauntingly hanging inside her soul.
It was so emotionally driven than I expected; the friendship drama esp was so engrossingly explored and engulfed me with both warmth and sadness. Lovely dynamics for the characters although I read much of everyone only from Ai’s perspective— love Brigitte, Tin and Aysum also a love-hate for Sying as she mostly stepped on my nerves but I like that her part mainly related to the discrimination issue facing by most immigrants; a perspective that triggered and reflected on societal outlook also the consequences if it was handled too recklessly.
Part 2 was a bit mellow to me as it delved further into Ai’s solitude and psychological musings. Quite rush yet I love how it explored the healing process of Ai in dealing with her estrangement and isolation, of reaching her dreams and hope as well reconnecting back with those she has left behind. It was a beautiful and impactful journey that really hooked me. The love story too was just nicely added and I swooned a lot for the ending.
“I treasured each new epiphany like a jewel in my palm, something shiny and glittering to be admired and examined from every angle and then stored away with the others. Some jewels were more like polished stones. Some were semiprecious. Others were emeralds.”
4.2/5 stars!
Thank you Times Reads for the gifted review copy!
November 25, 2023
It’s taken me two months to read this, says more about where my reading head was than the book. Pushed through today, and as always very glad I did. So many stories being told by second and third generation refugees, I’m here for it.
Want to read
May 5, 2023Lang Leav is one of my favorite authors and poetesses, and receiving another ARC is so exciting 😍 I love the blue and green cover and girls on bicycles 💙💚 It will be released in September 2023
April 29, 2024
4.5 / a very very dear coming of age novel about complicated friendships and first relationships and grief. I loved this!
August 21, 2023
3.5?
Overall, the Leav find success in her voice as a teen/ early twenty-something narrator, Ai. The relationships are rendered with care and sentiment, so readers will feel invested. Structurally, though, the first half is a little bloated, and the second half is a little rushed. It’s such a good YA novel, but I think it’s awkwardly placed in an adult imprint and that’s confused the narrative a bit. It’s set in the past as if reflecting on the coming-of-age years, but maybe it should been present time throughout? Still, very enjoyable!
Overall, the Leav find success in her voice as a teen/ early twenty-something narrator, Ai. The relationships are rendered with care and sentiment, so readers will feel invested. Structurally, though, the first half is a little bloated, and the second half is a little rushed. It’s such a good YA novel, but I think it’s awkwardly placed in an adult imprint and that’s confused the narrative a bit. It’s set in the past as if reflecting on the coming-of-age years, but maybe it should been present time throughout? Still, very enjoyable!
2023
October 15, 2025National Poetry Month TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial
November 5, 2023
3.5 stars
Others Were Emeralds was gorgeous! This book is Lang Leav’s debut for Adult Fiction. But to me it felt more YA.
At first I was struggling because the pace was kind of slow to me. The first part was too long and making the rest of the book feel a bit rushed. Other than that, I honestly liked the lyrical words Lang Leav wrote. It felt so cozy.
This book is about Ai a daughter of a Cambodian refugees who is living her teenage life in Australia. She has friends. Her friendship with Brigitte can be complicated at times but I loved seeing how author took me to explore their friendship. Ai also has a lover named Bowen. Ai relationship with Bowen started to take a wrong turn when they were a group of racists that unexpectedly appeared.
I love how lyrical the words the author used. Eventhough some parts of the events were predictable, I enjoyed reading this story. I also loved that this book highlighted about vital issues that all of us can relate to. For example, racism and aggression towards the minorities.
I thought this was a poignant and impactful story. Loved the writing style. Lang Leav’s prose is just beautiful.
Thank you Times Reads for sending me Others Were Emeralds in written for an honest review.
Others Were Emeralds was gorgeous! This book is Lang Leav’s debut for Adult Fiction. But to me it felt more YA.
At first I was struggling because the pace was kind of slow to me. The first part was too long and making the rest of the book feel a bit rushed. Other than that, I honestly liked the lyrical words Lang Leav wrote. It felt so cozy.
This book is about Ai a daughter of a Cambodian refugees who is living her teenage life in Australia. She has friends. Her friendship with Brigitte can be complicated at times but I loved seeing how author took me to explore their friendship. Ai also has a lover named Bowen. Ai relationship with Bowen started to take a wrong turn when they were a group of racists that unexpectedly appeared.
I love how lyrical the words the author used. Eventhough some parts of the events were predictable, I enjoyed reading this story. I also loved that this book highlighted about vital issues that all of us can relate to. For example, racism and aggression towards the minorities.
I thought this was a poignant and impactful story. Loved the writing style. Lang Leav’s prose is just beautiful.
Thank you Times Reads for sending me Others Were Emeralds in written for an honest review.
October 18, 2023
this one is so special to me, it is one of my top reads of the year for sure. i was pleasantly surprised by the writing and the story, as this is my first lang leav novel (have not read sad girls) and this brings me so much nostalgia and just sad comfort in general. i really loved the novel from start to end.
this is a story that follows ai who is the daughter of combodian refugees in australia, navigating her ordinary teenage life in whitlam, a town populated by immigrants. it is a poignant tale of friendship, racism, microaggressions, love, and most importantly, memories. we see ai go through different stages of her life, as she learns about herself, her friends, and to live in peace with herself after a traumatic and violent experience stemmed from cruel racist men.
the thing i love most about this is the writing and just how lang leav crafts her characters. she is such a lyrical novelist, you can tell from the writing it reads like poetry. it is to be devoured slowly and understood gently like a poem. it is very intricate and gentle, like a soft caress on a bad day. i would say if you love sally rooney, you may want to pick this one up.
racism and activism is dealt with in here too, but no spoilers. (THIS ONE CHARACTER, CONSTRUCTED SO WELL I-) i particularly loved how this book portrays racism and aggression towards the minorities, sometimes it is not all loud and proud, but the subtle jabs in people’s words just enough for you to notice.
there is so much in this less than 300 pages novel. i love the bonds ai built with her loved ones, her journey finding her own identity, and it is very raw and depicts how an immigrant lives their lives from day to day. i’ve seen people saying they loved the first part, but the second part really grappled with my feeling and emotions, i relate to college ai a lot. her struggles, balancing life, searching for purpose, and rediscovering herself. coming to terms with herself.
overall, it’s been a while since i enjoyed a book this much. 5 stars no questions asked & i highly recommend this one.
thank you times reads for the arc 🍃🤍
this is a story that follows ai who is the daughter of combodian refugees in australia, navigating her ordinary teenage life in whitlam, a town populated by immigrants. it is a poignant tale of friendship, racism, microaggressions, love, and most importantly, memories. we see ai go through different stages of her life, as she learns about herself, her friends, and to live in peace with herself after a traumatic and violent experience stemmed from cruel racist men.
the thing i love most about this is the writing and just how lang leav crafts her characters. she is such a lyrical novelist, you can tell from the writing it reads like poetry. it is to be devoured slowly and understood gently like a poem. it is very intricate and gentle, like a soft caress on a bad day. i would say if you love sally rooney, you may want to pick this one up.
racism and activism is dealt with in here too, but no spoilers. (THIS ONE CHARACTER, CONSTRUCTED SO WELL I-) i particularly loved how this book portrays racism and aggression towards the minorities, sometimes it is not all loud and proud, but the subtle jabs in people’s words just enough for you to notice.
there is so much in this less than 300 pages novel. i love the bonds ai built with her loved ones, her journey finding her own identity, and it is very raw and depicts how an immigrant lives their lives from day to day. i’ve seen people saying they loved the first part, but the second part really grappled with my feeling and emotions, i relate to college ai a lot. her struggles, balancing life, searching for purpose, and rediscovering herself. coming to terms with herself.
overall, it’s been a while since i enjoyed a book this much. 5 stars no questions asked & i highly recommend this one.
thank you times reads for the arc 🍃🤍
September 4, 2023
[Copy #gifted by @harperperennial @bibliolifestyle]
READ IF YOU LIKE...
• Nostalgia for adolescent friendships
• Raising awareness of anti-Asian racism
• Complicated love stories
I THOUGHT IT WAS...
A touching tribute to the transformative power of love and friendship, and a pointed example of the corrosive poison of racism. Ai finds herself back at home, sorting through her old belongings, after her life falls apart halfway through college. That's when she finds a photograph that transports her back to her teenage years, when her group of close friends were everything and when an unspeakable tragedy shattered the innocence of her world.
For the most part, Leav captures extremely well the complicated and magical time that is adolescence -- the incredibly strong bonds that form between best friends, the obsession over blossoming crushes and boyfriends, the insecurities and jealousies. There were a few moments of dialogue that were a little too literary to be realistic, but overall the relationships were thoroughly infused with endearing nostalgia.
This makes the tragedy that rips through the characters' lives that much more painful. This novel humanizes the Asians that were so harshly and unfairly caricatured in Australia's political conversations. It also hints at the traumas many of them faced that caused their emigration. Because of this, I was slightly surprised by the callous and unempathetic treatment directed toward one of the characters. However, the novel still shines, strongest when it's exploring the lasting power of love and friendship.
READ IF YOU LIKE...
• Nostalgia for adolescent friendships
• Raising awareness of anti-Asian racism
• Complicated love stories
I THOUGHT IT WAS...
A touching tribute to the transformative power of love and friendship, and a pointed example of the corrosive poison of racism. Ai finds herself back at home, sorting through her old belongings, after her life falls apart halfway through college. That's when she finds a photograph that transports her back to her teenage years, when her group of close friends were everything and when an unspeakable tragedy shattered the innocence of her world.
For the most part, Leav captures extremely well the complicated and magical time that is adolescence -- the incredibly strong bonds that form between best friends, the obsession over blossoming crushes and boyfriends, the insecurities and jealousies. There were a few moments of dialogue that were a little too literary to be realistic, but overall the relationships were thoroughly infused with endearing nostalgia.
This makes the tragedy that rips through the characters' lives that much more painful. This novel humanizes the Asians that were so harshly and unfairly caricatured in Australia's political conversations. It also hints at the traumas many of them faced that caused their emigration. Because of this, I was slightly surprised by the callous and unempathetic treatment directed toward one of the characters. However, the novel still shines, strongest when it's exploring the lasting power of love and friendship.
June 9, 2024
reads like a nonfiction memoir. the characters felt so real to me in this, that i genuinely forgot this was a work of fiction. the writing felt so nostalgic, lyrical, and reflective; I can definitely tell that lang leav is a poet. honestly, one thing that i kind of wish is that this book was longer. i wish i had more time to enjoy the characters, and see them mature as people, and how their relationships would evolve collaterally. the ending had a sense of feeling a bit rushed, but maybe it was the author’s intent to leave you with this sense of longing and bittersweetness upon finishing the book.
tw: SA, abuse, assault, death, anxiety/depression
& ty to harper collins for the eARC !!!
tw: SA, abuse, assault, death, anxiety/depression
& ty to harper collins for the eARC !!!
December 9, 2023
Maybe I wasn't the target audience for this book which might've actually be 12-14, but I found the writing to be almost immature. I felt like there was a lot lacking here, and a lot of the plot felt haphazard. For example, I felt that Sying's character should / could have been more gray, but she felt very black and white. Sying = villain and not much more to that. I also felt like the novel spent way too much time trying to convey the suspicions Ai had about Brigitte but didn't dive into her grief at all.
I did appreciate learning more about the sentiment of White Australians towards Asian immigrants during this time which I had never read about or interacted with before.
I did appreciate learning more about the sentiment of White Australians towards Asian immigrants during this time which I had never read about or interacted with before.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2024
I thought this book was amazing!! Finished it in 3 days I was stuck to it! Written very beautifully, tied so many important themes together like friendship, love, loss, grief, racism, discrimination, classism. Wasn't expecting to love this as much as I did.
October 3, 2023
"When you're young, you tend to think it's easy to meet people with whom you feel a connection. As you go through your life, you learn it only happens a handful of times. That's something I wish I had known when I was your age."
Others Were Emeralds is a solid character-driven book that explores the themes of friendship, racism, grief, immigrant experiences, and love, along with the complex dynamics of teenage relationships that portray jealousy, impulsiveness, and the need for acceptance.
This coming-of-age story takes place in Australia in the late 90s and centers on teenagers growing up in their immigrant neighborhoods. Our main character, Ai, and her close group of friends are from the immigrant town of Whitlam, who is the daughter of refugees from Cambodia. They faced racism and were forced into maturity too early after having something valuable forcible taken from them.
I am not a huge fan of Lang Leav's poetry, but I was keen to read this book because I think the writing and story would be different. And yes, my guess is correct: I like the writing style; she writes in a way that is fascinating and easy to read. I found it quite engaging, and the premise of this novel is compelling.
Learning about Australia's racial issues during that time, which I had not previously educated before, was intriguing. This book has two parts: the first happened during Ai's high school, and the second was during Ai's college. I liked the first part. My favorite element of the book was the sweet friendship between Ai and Brigette. I also liked the love relationship between Ai and Bowie, but the undoubted love story was Ai and Brigette than the romance. I truly loved Brigette, and I was speechless for her ending.
For me, the two parts of the story felt unbalanced; part one was twice as long as part two, making part two feel rushed. I think part two should have been longer to see more about Ai overcoming her grief. There is also a lack of story about the other character, Tin, and I wish to know more about him. I felt like his character disappeared and returned just to fit the ending. I did love the ending, though. In addition, I think this book felt more like YA fiction than adult, solely because of the main character's age.
Overall, this was a pleasant read for me, keeping my interest through to the end. An ideal choice to read if you like an inspiring story of teenagers trying to find their place in the world.
3.5 🌟
"It's weird because you never really notice the significance at the time; it's only when something occurs in your present that it prompts you to look back and think, 'This is happening to me now because of a decision I made back then,"
Thank you, Times Reads, for the gifted advance copy 🫶🏻
Others Were Emeralds is a solid character-driven book that explores the themes of friendship, racism, grief, immigrant experiences, and love, along with the complex dynamics of teenage relationships that portray jealousy, impulsiveness, and the need for acceptance.
This coming-of-age story takes place in Australia in the late 90s and centers on teenagers growing up in their immigrant neighborhoods. Our main character, Ai, and her close group of friends are from the immigrant town of Whitlam, who is the daughter of refugees from Cambodia. They faced racism and were forced into maturity too early after having something valuable forcible taken from them.
I am not a huge fan of Lang Leav's poetry, but I was keen to read this book because I think the writing and story would be different. And yes, my guess is correct: I like the writing style; she writes in a way that is fascinating and easy to read. I found it quite engaging, and the premise of this novel is compelling.
Learning about Australia's racial issues during that time, which I had not previously educated before, was intriguing. This book has two parts: the first happened during Ai's high school, and the second was during Ai's college. I liked the first part. My favorite element of the book was the sweet friendship between Ai and Brigette. I also liked the love relationship between Ai and Bowie, but the undoubted love story was Ai and Brigette than the romance. I truly loved Brigette, and I was speechless for her ending.
For me, the two parts of the story felt unbalanced; part one was twice as long as part two, making part two feel rushed. I think part two should have been longer to see more about Ai overcoming her grief. There is also a lack of story about the other character, Tin, and I wish to know more about him. I felt like his character disappeared and returned just to fit the ending. I did love the ending, though. In addition, I think this book felt more like YA fiction than adult, solely because of the main character's age.
Overall, this was a pleasant read for me, keeping my interest through to the end. An ideal choice to read if you like an inspiring story of teenagers trying to find their place in the world.
3.5 🌟
"It's weird because you never really notice the significance at the time; it's only when something occurs in your present that it prompts you to look back and think, 'This is happening to me now because of a decision I made back then,"
Thank you, Times Reads, for the gifted advance copy 🫶🏻
October 26, 2024
For a short book, the first half took too much time establishing the setting, characters, and conflict. The friend group was composed of high school students, yet the drama felt incredibly petty even for their age group.
Sadly, I did not connect with the writing style. The pacing did not make sense to me, nor did I like Bridgette and Sying.
I quite enjoy immigrant stories (or children of immigrant stories), but this book was not one I would recommend. :(
Sadly, I did not connect with the writing style. The pacing did not make sense to me, nor did I like Bridgette and Sying.
I quite enjoy immigrant stories (or children of immigrant stories), but this book was not one I would recommend. :(
December 17, 2023
Unusual pacing and character development seemed to lack across all the characters.
April 13, 2024
2.5
In defense of the book I was not aware this was a YA, which is very much not my jam.
In defense of the book I was not aware this was a YA, which is very much not my jam.
Read
September 25, 2024what a strange book.
July 21, 2025
had quite a journey with this book. bought it two years ago thinking the cover was cute and the synopsis on the back was promising, didn't touch it for two years, tried reading it and couldn't get through it, picked it up a month later and finished it in a day and a half!
anyway, all of that to say that lang leav's writing is beautiful and she managed to write such a bittersweet and intricate coming of age book. this felt like a memoir, substack, short essay type of reflection about the hardships one faces in their youth and i ate it up, despite the first few chapters being a bit rough to get through. i feel like this would be a good limited series or indie film.
anyway, all of that to say that lang leav's writing is beautiful and she managed to write such a bittersweet and intricate coming of age book. this felt like a memoir, substack, short essay type of reflection about the hardships one faces in their youth and i ate it up, despite the first few chapters being a bit rough to get through. i feel like this would be a good limited series or indie film.
September 14, 2023
"The thing you're talking about, Tin - that darkness - we all have it. It's in all of us."
I wish I could rate Part 1 and Part 2 of this book separately because I loved the first part, but the second part fell off for me.
I wish I could rate Part 1 and Part 2 of this book separately because I loved the first part, but the second part fell off for me.
September 5, 2023
Annoying characters. And the writing is not for me.
September 29, 2024
this book broke my heart in ways i wasn’t expecting! i’ve loved lang leav’s writing for years now and i am constantly reminded of how incredible she remains to be. i really loved this one
June 17, 2025
Heart wrenching story that gives a glimpse into what it is like for Asian refugees and their families living in Australia
January 9, 2025
Loveeddd this book! Set in Sydney which was so fun to read about, and an interesting plot. Learnt a lot about Australian/sydney history
July 2, 2024
This book is set in 90s in Whitlam, Australia where we follow Ai's journey and her friends as their parents moved to Australia as refugees. Specifically for Ai, she came to Australia as a refugee from Cambodia's civil war. The story is told from Ai's perspective and divided into two parts: one part was from the past during high school period and the second part was in the current time, specifically in college period.
During the first part, we got to explore Ai's friendship with Brigitte, Tin, and Sying, and her relationship with Bowie. Their relationship/friendship was sweet but also infused with some dramas. Together, they also navigated topics such as racism, discrimination against Asian refugees, tragedy, parents hardship and grief. The second part explored how Ai handled grief, managed her workload and eventually her healing process but the story process was too rushed in my opinion. Though, her struggle as a second generation immigrant and a college student may be relatable to some.
I thought this book was beautiful, moving and impactful but I definitely agree with other reviewers that this book should be categorized as YA fiction rather than Adult fiction (nothing's wrong with YA fiction though!).
During the first part, we got to explore Ai's friendship with Brigitte, Tin, and Sying, and her relationship with Bowie. Their relationship/friendship was sweet but also infused with some dramas. Together, they also navigated topics such as racism, discrimination against Asian refugees, tragedy, parents hardship and grief. The second part explored how Ai handled grief, managed her workload and eventually her healing process but the story process was too rushed in my opinion. Though, her struggle as a second generation immigrant and a college student may be relatable to some.
I thought this book was beautiful, moving and impactful but I definitely agree with other reviewers that this book should be categorized as YA fiction rather than Adult fiction (nothing's wrong with YA fiction though!).
July 4, 2025
▸ read on storytel
▸ audiobook
➥ ❪ 𝟭𝟵/𝟭𝟭/𝟮𝟯 ─ 𝟰★ ❫
▸ audiobook
➥ ❪ 𝟭𝟵/𝟭𝟭/𝟮𝟯 ─ 𝟰★ ❫
July 8, 2023
Thank you so much to Lang Leav for gifting me a copy of this gorgeous book! See below for my thoughts.
Set in the late 1990s, Others Were Emeralds tells the story of Ai, a teenage girl born to Cambodian refugees. Ai lives in a small Australian town, where she learns to navigate dating and friendships, whilst she dreams of pursuing a creative career. Though Ai’s life may seem simple at first, political discontent is growing amongst her peers, who face racism and anti immigrant sentiment.
When I started reading Others Were Emeralds, I thought the book had a soft, dreamy quality about it - I enjoyed the feelings of 90s nostalgia that Leav invoked when she referred to one hour photo stores, Tori Amos and Tamagotchis. However, I soon realised that the book was far from the light hearted coming of age story I had assumed that it was when I looked at the cover. Leav addresses the racism present in Australia in a brutal and heartbreaking way. I knew going in that Others Were Emeralds would be as beautifully written as Leav’s poetry, but I didn’t expect it to be so tragic and hard hitting.
Ultimately, I adored this book. I feel like I learned a lot about the experiences of refugees through Leav’s prose, and it really got me thinking about the state of racism in Australia today. I also enjoyed the way in which Ai’s friendships were written. Ai and her best friend Brigette are as close as sisters, and I love that Leav spent as much time exploring their friendship as she did Ai’s romantic relationships. I would, however note that the book covers tough topics that may be triggering for some readers, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and war.
Set in the late 1990s, Others Were Emeralds tells the story of Ai, a teenage girl born to Cambodian refugees. Ai lives in a small Australian town, where she learns to navigate dating and friendships, whilst she dreams of pursuing a creative career. Though Ai’s life may seem simple at first, political discontent is growing amongst her peers, who face racism and anti immigrant sentiment.
When I started reading Others Were Emeralds, I thought the book had a soft, dreamy quality about it - I enjoyed the feelings of 90s nostalgia that Leav invoked when she referred to one hour photo stores, Tori Amos and Tamagotchis. However, I soon realised that the book was far from the light hearted coming of age story I had assumed that it was when I looked at the cover. Leav addresses the racism present in Australia in a brutal and heartbreaking way. I knew going in that Others Were Emeralds would be as beautifully written as Leav’s poetry, but I didn’t expect it to be so tragic and hard hitting.
Ultimately, I adored this book. I feel like I learned a lot about the experiences of refugees through Leav’s prose, and it really got me thinking about the state of racism in Australia today. I also enjoyed the way in which Ai’s friendships were written. Ai and her best friend Brigette are as close as sisters, and I love that Leav spent as much time exploring their friendship as she did Ai’s romantic relationships. I would, however note that the book covers tough topics that may be triggering for some readers, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and war.
October 24, 2023
Others Were Emeralds by Lang Leav is a coming of age story about guilt, friendship and love. This book reads like a memoir as the characters explore racism, one's identity and settling in Australia as home.
There is a huge chunk of this book that is very predictable and I even managed to predict the ending right. But there is a part that really surprised me and even though it was sad and absolutely shocking, it felt very honest and raw.
The writing is really nice to read; it's very lyrical and full of prose. As to be expected since it is written by a very famous poet. Yet, it was overall an easy read as Ai goes through the ups and downs of her life.
All in all, this book is just an okay read. Nothing extraordinary. So, I can't really recommend you to read this book as I didn't like it as much.
There is a huge chunk of this book that is very predictable and I even managed to predict the ending right. But there is a part that really surprised me and even though it was sad and absolutely shocking, it felt very honest and raw.
The writing is really nice to read; it's very lyrical and full of prose. As to be expected since it is written by a very famous poet. Yet, it was overall an easy read as Ai goes through the ups and downs of her life.
All in all, this book is just an okay read. Nothing extraordinary. So, I can't really recommend you to read this book as I didn't like it as much.
January 23, 2024
If I had read the back of this book and decided 'yes' or 'no', I would have never picked this up. Thankfully my book club has better taste. This is a quick, easy read with a tone that so perfectly sent me back to school. The disarmingly emotion-led style put me in a mindset to feel and listen, which is exactly what the content calls for.
It underplays the big chunk of high school slice-of-life narrative, if that's not your vibe (it usually sends me running), but in this case I'm very glad I stuck around to hear it all out.
It underplays the big chunk of high school slice-of-life narrative, if that's not your vibe (it usually sends me running), but in this case I'm very glad I stuck around to hear it all out.
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