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Soy Sauce for Beginners
Gretchen Lin, adrift at the age of thirty, leaves her floundering marriage in San Francisco to move back to her childhood home in Singapore and immediately finds herself face-to-face with the twin headaches she’s avoided her entire adult life: her mother’s drinking problem and the machinations of her father’s artisanal soy sauce business.
Surrounded by family, Gretchen struggles with the tension between personal ambition and filial duty, but still finds time to explore a new romance with the son of a client, an attractive man of few words. When an old American friend comes to town, the two of them are pulled into the controversy surrounding Gretchen’s cousin, the only male grandchild and the heir apparent to Lin’s Soy Sauce. In the midst of increasing pressure from her father to remain permanently in Singapore—and pressure from her mother to do just the opposite—Gretchen must decide whether she will return to her marriage and her graduate studies at the San Francisco Conservatory, or sacrifice everything and join her family’s crusade to spread artisanal soy sauce to the world.
Soy Sauce for Beginners reveals the triumphs and sacrifices that shape one woman’s search for a place to call home, and the unexpected art and tradition behind the brewing of a much-used but unsung condiment. The result is a foodie love story that will give readers a hearty appreciation for family loyalty and fresh starts.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
591 people are currently reading
5892 people want to read
About the author
Kirstin Chen
8 books969 followersKirstin Chen is the New York Times best-selling author of three novels. Her latest, Counterfeit, is a Reese Witherspoon book club pick, a Roxane Gay book club pick, and a New York Times Editors’ Choice. It has also been recommended by The Washington Post, People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Vogue, Time, Oprah Daily, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Parade, and more. Her previous two novels are Bury What We Cannot Take and Soy Sauce for Beginners.
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June 8, 2022
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In Soy Sauce for Beginners Kirstin Chen explores the dichotomy between tradition and modernity. When her marriage collapses our narrator and protagonist, Gretchen Lin, leaves San Francisco behind and returns to her family home in Singapore. Gretchen begins working at her family's artisanal soy sauce business—hence the title—which was recently embroiled in a food-poising scandal thanks to her cousin's shortcuts. Her father clearly wants Gretchen to take her cousin's place as the future head of the company but Gretchen plans on returning to San Francisco, hoping that she can still salvage her crumbling marriage. Soon her mind is occupied by her mother's health, in particular, her excessive drinking.
Chen's writing flows easily and the drama between the various characters makes for some entertaining reading material. Without resorting to long descriptions Chen manages to render Singapore, from its customs to its nightlife, so that this setting becomes the most vibrant aspect of her story. What lets the story down somewhat is its narrator. Gretchen spends most of the novel angsting over her husband—who is a dick—and making jabs about the young woman he involved himself with. She is not particularly involved in her job at her family's company, avoids spending time with her friends, and hangs out with a boring guy she does not particularly care for. I also really hated the whole subplot involving her American friend who is no longer 'dumpy' but has transformed into a 'babe' everyone loves. She actually works hard, she is respected in a way that Gretchen isn't, and she 'steals' her friends away. And, instead of showing that Gretchen was being jealous over nothing, the story makes this friend into kind of a 'snake'. Gretchen gave me some strong judgy vibes, especially when it comes to the women around her (I am tired of reading about women 'bitching' about each other...we can do better than that).
I wish the narrative had focused less on Gretchen moping about her husband and life, and more time on her interacting with her family and friends. Still, the food descriptions were mouth-watering and I liked the glitzy lifestyle Gretchen and those around her enjoy.
Throughout the course of the story, Gretchen has to reconcile her desires with her father and mother's expectations of her. An easy read that ultimately manages to have a satisfying ending and that does not surprisingly focus on romance.
In Soy Sauce for Beginners Kirstin Chen explores the dichotomy between tradition and modernity. When her marriage collapses our narrator and protagonist, Gretchen Lin, leaves San Francisco behind and returns to her family home in Singapore. Gretchen begins working at her family's artisanal soy sauce business—hence the title—which was recently embroiled in a food-poising scandal thanks to her cousin's shortcuts. Her father clearly wants Gretchen to take her cousin's place as the future head of the company but Gretchen plans on returning to San Francisco, hoping that she can still salvage her crumbling marriage. Soon her mind is occupied by her mother's health, in particular, her excessive drinking.
Chen's writing flows easily and the drama between the various characters makes for some entertaining reading material. Without resorting to long descriptions Chen manages to render Singapore, from its customs to its nightlife, so that this setting becomes the most vibrant aspect of her story. What lets the story down somewhat is its narrator. Gretchen spends most of the novel angsting over her husband—who is a dick—and making jabs about the young woman he involved himself with. She is not particularly involved in her job at her family's company, avoids spending time with her friends, and hangs out with a boring guy she does not particularly care for. I also really hated the whole subplot involving her American friend who is no longer 'dumpy' but has transformed into a 'babe' everyone loves. She actually works hard, she is respected in a way that Gretchen isn't, and she 'steals' her friends away. And, instead of showing that Gretchen was being jealous over nothing, the story makes this friend into kind of a 'snake'. Gretchen gave me some strong judgy vibes, especially when it comes to the women around her (I am tired of reading about women 'bitching' about each other...we can do better than that).
I wish the narrative had focused less on Gretchen moping about her husband and life, and more time on her interacting with her family and friends. Still, the food descriptions were mouth-watering and I liked the glitzy lifestyle Gretchen and those around her enjoy.
Throughout the course of the story, Gretchen has to reconcile her desires with her father and mother's expectations of her. An easy read that ultimately manages to have a satisfying ending and that does not surprisingly focus on romance.
March 25, 2014
As a dude who doesn't think this is chick lit, I loved the book. Just like me, it's half-eastern and half-western, with the other half lost in music school somewhere. I didn't go to the SF Conservatory, but I think I still might have the key to the practice rooms at the university where I did go, even though that was 16 years ago, and not too far away. In that sense, I feel like I know Gretchen, the protagonist. She has no idea what she wants in life, stuck between her eastern half and her western half, and, just like me, wondering if she squandered her potential in music academia. Due to all of this, she simply can't figure life out, hangs out with all the wrong people who can't relate, and suffers as a result. Some people remain in that state for many, many years, myself included. In that sense, she was totally real. What's more, just like her, I grew up with an alcoholic parent, so I know exactly what it's like, except mine didn't make it. Even better, here in the Bay Area, I've known quite a few Asiaphile perverts who resemble that Paul character almost exactly. It's pretty mainstream, to be honest. In fact, I almost turned into one of those dudes myself, even though that was 16 years ago.
On another note, there's one line, when she's alone at the party, outside, and that James idiot comes over and says, "So if you know everyone, why are you out here all by yourself?"
In my sphere of influence, a zillion people know me, but I have very, very few close friends, so I've had that same exchange--or one eerily similar--many times. It feels like people are always saying things like that to me. Again, I feel like I know this protagonist.
In any event, all of the above probably doesn't gel with housewives glued to Oprah, or the nauseating book-club bores who didn't connect with this story on the level I did. I honestly can't understand how many of the negative reviews are interpreting Gretchen as "whiny" or "complaining." I would never have seen her that way. Sure, the whole thing verges on chick lit at times, but that didn't distract me in the least bit. I was just in Singapore a year ago, so the whole thing was refreshing, aside from learning a lot about soy sauce.
On another note, there's one line, when she's alone at the party, outside, and that James idiot comes over and says, "So if you know everyone, why are you out here all by yourself?"
In my sphere of influence, a zillion people know me, but I have very, very few close friends, so I've had that same exchange--or one eerily similar--many times. It feels like people are always saying things like that to me. Again, I feel like I know this protagonist.
In any event, all of the above probably doesn't gel with housewives glued to Oprah, or the nauseating book-club bores who didn't connect with this story on the level I did. I honestly can't understand how many of the negative reviews are interpreting Gretchen as "whiny" or "complaining." I would never have seen her that way. Sure, the whole thing verges on chick lit at times, but that didn't distract me in the least bit. I was just in Singapore a year ago, so the whole thing was refreshing, aside from learning a lot about soy sauce.
January 6, 2014
I bought this book for cheap on Amazon, fairly suspicious that this would end up being "chick lit," and my suspicions really were fair.
Let's just say it would take very little work to turn this into a Lifetime movie. There's a little more depth than that, but it's slight enough to be edited out. Our main character's really kind of a spoiled bitch, with Parents Issues, but none of that is explored enough to be something to make you go "hmm." The soy sauce angle is thankfully relevant but slight. I craved Chinese food while and after reading, which got this review its second star.
I feel happy for the author that she wrote this book, and benevolent for being a "pre-buyer" on my Kindle, but this book makes me think I could write something and get it published -- so, there's that.
Let's just say it would take very little work to turn this into a Lifetime movie. There's a little more depth than that, but it's slight enough to be edited out. Our main character's really kind of a spoiled bitch, with Parents Issues, but none of that is explored enough to be something to make you go "hmm." The soy sauce angle is thankfully relevant but slight. I craved Chinese food while and after reading, which got this review its second star.
I feel happy for the author that she wrote this book, and benevolent for being a "pre-buyer" on my Kindle, but this book makes me think I could write something and get it published -- so, there's that.
February 5, 2014
This book was a disappointment overall. In both fiction and film, I most enjoy works in which I can connect strongly to the characters. I simply could not do that with this novel. The protagonist, Gretchen, is too weak, in her decisions about her marriage, her career, her parents, her new relationship, etc. I felt she was a poorly developed character. I also believed the text suffered from editing. There was a fine concept there. However, as a Creative Writing instructor, I would have handed this back to Chen and told her to work on "showing vs. telling." Her emotions are not properly portrayed. It felt like, "Yeah, I'm sad my mom is an alcoholic and it kind of sucks the guy I'm screwing doesn't really care about me" but I never really felt those emotions as a reader at all. Further, I think the business and the "heritage" line of soy sauce was the most compelling part of the plot, and that is just left hanging with nothing resolved with Cal, who has betrayed the trust of the company and his family. Chen failed to create an investment in this story for me.
December 2, 2013
There are beautiful moments throughout the novel, but on the whole, I wanted much more from the writing, from the storytelling.
December 21, 2013
This was my Prime memberships free book choice and I have to say, it was a good one. This is Kirstin Chen's debut novel and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Gretchen Lin is at what I call the second-coming-of-age point in your life - age 30. A native Singaporean, Gretchen has spent a large part of her life in the US, through boarding school, college, graduate school and married life. Now she returns home for some breathing room from her troubled marriage and career plans. However, home holds its own issues, as Gretchen's mother is in kidney failure and her family's business, Lin's Soy Sauce, is at a critical turning point.
First off, I didn't know that there was such a thing as artisanal soy sauce, and I now desperately want to taste some. Second of all, I craved Asian cuisine through this entire book.
Beyond that, it was just a well-written story. I found Gretchen to be a complex yet relatable character. She is smart, talented, and still has a screwed up life at the moment. In short: she's normal. Even when you do everything "right," life is messy. I liked Gretchen's parents as well. They were also complex, full of faults, but clear in their devotion to their only child.
Where does your duty to family end? Is it when you create your own? Of course, there are different cultures at work here, too. The duty of family is different in America than it is in other countries.
Highly recommend.
Gretchen Lin is at what I call the second-coming-of-age point in your life - age 30. A native Singaporean, Gretchen has spent a large part of her life in the US, through boarding school, college, graduate school and married life. Now she returns home for some breathing room from her troubled marriage and career plans. However, home holds its own issues, as Gretchen's mother is in kidney failure and her family's business, Lin's Soy Sauce, is at a critical turning point.
First off, I didn't know that there was such a thing as artisanal soy sauce, and I now desperately want to taste some. Second of all, I craved Asian cuisine through this entire book.
Beyond that, it was just a well-written story. I found Gretchen to be a complex yet relatable character. She is smart, talented, and still has a screwed up life at the moment. In short: she's normal. Even when you do everything "right," life is messy. I liked Gretchen's parents as well. They were also complex, full of faults, but clear in their devotion to their only child.
Where does your duty to family end? Is it when you create your own? Of course, there are different cultures at work here, too. The duty of family is different in America than it is in other countries.
Highly recommend.
January 2, 2014
To be a debut novel, this one has it's strengths, but there are also many weaknesses.
The protagonist in the story is not a likable person. She has no self-esteem, but seems to be shocked when people do not regard her. It's contradictory and frustrating. Only toward the end of the novel does she become a tolerable character after completely changing all facets of her needy, whiny personality.
The story would be moving along strongly before pausing for a flashback or anecdote. Some of the flashbacks would be completely irrelevant, and I found myself asking, "Another one of these? Now?" Some were interesting and applied to the story, but others, I wasn't sure what the point was.
The story also ends rather abruptly with a lot of loose ends left unresolved. It's not really a sequel-worthy story, but I wonder what happens to certain characters and story lines.
Aside from that, the characters and their feelings are relatable. I love Gretchen's mother. I would have much rather read about Ba and Ma's story than Gretchen's, at times. They seem to have an intricate, balanced relationship that has seen it's share of weathering. The characters did leave me wanting more, and that's why the unresolved story lines bother me so.
The description of the soy sauce was always interesting and added a nice depth to the story. The company's importance as a family entity was engaging and made sense.
The story did have it's strong points, but due to some flaws, I cannot give the story above three stars and would only give it two-and-a-half if I could.
The protagonist in the story is not a likable person. She has no self-esteem, but seems to be shocked when people do not regard her. It's contradictory and frustrating. Only toward the end of the novel does she become a tolerable character after completely changing all facets of her needy, whiny personality.
The story would be moving along strongly before pausing for a flashback or anecdote. Some of the flashbacks would be completely irrelevant, and I found myself asking, "Another one of these? Now?" Some were interesting and applied to the story, but others, I wasn't sure what the point was.
The story also ends rather abruptly with a lot of loose ends left unresolved. It's not really a sequel-worthy story, but I wonder what happens to certain characters and story lines.
Aside from that, the characters and their feelings are relatable. I love Gretchen's mother. I would have much rather read about Ba and Ma's story than Gretchen's, at times. They seem to have an intricate, balanced relationship that has seen it's share of weathering. The characters did leave me wanting more, and that's why the unresolved story lines bother me so.
The description of the soy sauce was always interesting and added a nice depth to the story. The company's importance as a family entity was engaging and made sense.
The story did have it's strong points, but due to some flaws, I cannot give the story above three stars and would only give it two-and-a-half if I could.
December 10, 2014
I actually really loved this, and I was surprised to see other reviews disparaging it in such a harsh way. It's a novel about a woman at 30 who's getting divorced, and goes home to Singapore temporarily to see her family and get herself together. She has to put up with a lot of jerks, almost all of whom are men. This is most definitely not a love story, which I thought was a major plus. If anything, the strongest relationships are between Gretchen and her mother and with her best friend.
It's a sweet novel, and while at times I did want more from the writing, I don't think it was a bad book or that I regret reading it. If, like me, you've had this waiting in your ereader forever, give it a try.
(Updated 12/10 to reflect that I did really enjoy this book)
It's a sweet novel, and while at times I did want more from the writing, I don't think it was a bad book or that I regret reading it. If, like me, you've had this waiting in your ereader forever, give it a try.
(Updated 12/10 to reflect that I did really enjoy this book)
September 18, 2018
Definitely need to think more about this one, but I'd say 3.5.
January 8, 2014
I couldn't put it down! It felt like I was reading someone's journal. If you have ever experienced moving away and then coming back home, you would certainly identify with Gretchen's story. I love how the author weaved in the intricacies of making good soy sauce. She didn't just write a beautiful story, she made me care about what happened to each character. Pick this book up, you won't be disappointed!
March 27, 2014
Meh. It's been a while since I so sincerely despised the narrator/protagonist in a novel. The only consolation was that the "happily ever after" didn't include her finding her worth through being in a relationship. That and the desire to taste the legitimate soy sauce. Yay.
March 9, 2018
This was a fantastic introduction to the work of Kirstin Chen especially as I await her second novel. Gretchen, thirty and separated from her husband after he cheats on her with an undergrad student, moves back home to Singapore. Her family is in the soy sauce manufacturing business and she attempts to join the family business while in Singapore. However, as it is with family, there’s a good amount of drama which mixed in with her personal drama is enough to incite a near midlife crisis.
I really enjoyed learning about soy sauce in a completely not boring manner. Also, as happens with stories about Asian families, I’ve also learned a little about the customs and way of life. Singapore has effectively been added to my “to-visit” list! More than that, Chen writes beautifully about the struggle to find one’s place in the world, identity and the balance between these and pleasing parents.
Soy Sauce for Beginners is packed with drama, astute observations about life and a fascinating bunch of characters. It makes for a great page turner!
I really enjoyed learning about soy sauce in a completely not boring manner. Also, as happens with stories about Asian families, I’ve also learned a little about the customs and way of life. Singapore has effectively been added to my “to-visit” list! More than that, Chen writes beautifully about the struggle to find one’s place in the world, identity and the balance between these and pleasing parents.
Soy Sauce for Beginners is packed with drama, astute observations about life and a fascinating bunch of characters. It makes for a great page turner!
December 3, 2016
Things I liked about the book: I liked the cultural pieces - I've never been to Asia or Singapore (or thought about soy sauce on any level) so it was nice to expand my horizon. The plot was average, but no terrible so we'll keep it in the like column.
Things I didn't like: The main character was god-awful and unlikeable! I tried to cut her some slack with everything that happened to her, but goodness reading about her life was like watching some repeatedly slam their head in the door, say it hurts and then do it again. Honestly, none of the character were that great. I liked the Dad. And Kat. And that's about it.
Overall the book was okay but I'm not inclined to read another by the author.
Things I didn't like: The main character was god-awful and unlikeable! I tried to cut her some slack with everything that happened to her, but goodness reading about her life was like watching some repeatedly slam their head in the door, say it hurts and then do it again. Honestly, none of the character were that great. I liked the Dad. And Kat. And that's about it.
Overall the book was okay but I'm not inclined to read another by the author.
March 18, 2023
Книга прочитана в рамках подборки "Women of the World", посвященной женщинам разных рас и национальностей. Одна книга - одна страна, плюс книги об опыте женщин-мигрантов и женщин в диаспорах.
1. Сингапур
Сюжет: Тридцатилетняя Гретхен Лин застает своего мужа за изменой и едет на родину в Сингапур, откуда в свое время сбежала. Семья Гретхен занимается производством соевого соуса (отсюда и название), а ей самой прочили должность владелицы семейного бизнеса, но она свалила в Америку.
Мне нравятся книги про людей, которые в тупике и не знают, что делать со своей жизнью, ибо все летит в тартарары и какой-то особой радости тоже нет. Вот только для такой короткой книжки (254 страницы) тут слишком много всего происходит. Вот вам измена мужа и явные намеки на наличие у него фетиша на азиаток. Вот вам новый ухажер Гретхен, который не хочет с ней серьезных отношений, хотя они переспали всего один раз, при том когда она ещё была замужем. Вот вам пассивность отца Гретхен, который видит в ней только наследницу бизнеса. Вот вам мать Гретхен, променявшая перспективную карьеру в Штатах на семейную жизнь в Сингапуре, и ее проблемы с алкогольной зависимостью. Вот вам осознание Гретхен, что брак ее родителей далеко не такой идеальный, да и сами они тоже не без недостатков. Вот вам конфликт с лучшей подругой, которая нравиться всем друзьям/коллегам намного больше чем Гретхен, из-за чего последняя завидует. И это я ещё не упомянула про проблемы с бизнесом и борьбу с кузеном за право унаследовать семейное дело. Либо Кирстин Чэн надо было делать книгу длиннее, либо убрать все лишнее. Лично я бы сделала фокалом книги отношения Гретхен с её родителями, а все остальное вырезала бы (кроме измены мужа в качестве катализатора).
Дело в том, что родители Гретхен, по сути, спроецировали на нее все свои надежды и несбывшиеся мечты. Отец хочет, чтобы она унаследовала семейный бизнес, а если занимается чем-то другим, то он не знает о чем с ней говорить. Мать вышла замуж и переехала в место с меньшими карьерными перспективами, и в результате так ничего и не добилась. Поэтому она по быстрому отправила дочь учиться в США и негласно наказала не возвращаться. Из этого могло выйти что-то интересное, но у автора не было времени во все это погружаться. Из-за чего в конце решение Гретхен остаться и перенять-таки семейное дело кажется не "первым в жизни самостоятельным решением", а "у папы и мамы были разные представления о моем будущем, и папин вариант мне нравиться больше, а другого (помимо маминого) нет". И в конце все проблемы, естественно, мило и красиво разрешились. Не дожали конфликт, как мне кажется. Я понимаю, что это дебют, да и книга довольно старая, но все-таки. Так как в книге постоянно конфликты сменяют друг-друга, ни один из них не раскрыт нормально. Даже ключевой конфликт в семье не раскрыт так, как мне хотелось бы.
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1. Сингапур
Сюжет: Тридцатилетняя Гретхен Лин застает своего мужа за изменой и едет на родину в Сингапур, откуда в свое время сбежала. Семья Гретхен занимается производством соевого соуса (отсюда и название), а ей самой прочили должность владелицы семейного бизнеса, но она свалила в Америку.
Он сказал мне представить воткнутый в плоть нож. Сперва боль настолько невыносима, что заставляет человека сдаться. Однако, со временем рана вокруг ножа заживает, и раненый живет с более или менее терпимым неудобством. На деле, если достать нож и заставить рану зажить заново - будет еще больнее.
Мне нравятся книги про людей, которые в тупике и не знают, что делать со своей жизнью, ибо все летит в тартарары и какой-то особой радости тоже нет. Вот только для такой короткой книжки (254 страницы) тут слишком много всего происходит. Вот вам измена мужа и явные намеки на наличие у него фетиша на азиаток. Вот вам новый ухажер Гретхен, который не хочет с ней серьезных отношений, хотя они переспали всего один раз, при том когда она ещё была замужем. Вот вам пассивность отца Гретхен, который видит в ней только наследницу бизнеса. Вот вам мать Гретхен, променявшая перспективную карьеру в Штатах на семейную жизнь в Сингапуре, и ее проблемы с алкогольной зависимостью. Вот вам осознание Гретхен, что брак ее родителей далеко не такой идеальный, да и сами они тоже не без недостатков. Вот вам конфликт с лучшей подругой, которая нравиться всем друзьям/коллегам намного больше чем Гретхен, из-за чего последняя завидует. И это я ещё не упомянула про проблемы с бизнесом и борьбу с кузеном за право унаследовать семейное дело. Либо Кирстин Чэн надо было делать книгу длиннее, либо убрать все лишнее. Лично я бы сделала фокалом книги отношения Гретхен с её родителями, а все остальное вырезала бы (кроме измены мужа в качестве катализатора).
Дело в том, что родители Гретхен, по сути, спроецировали на нее все свои надежды и несбывшиеся мечты. Отец хочет, чтобы она унаследовала семейный бизнес, а если занимается чем-то другим, то он не знает о чем с ней говорить. Мать вышла замуж и переехала в место с меньшими карьерными перспективами, и в результате так ничего и не добилась. Поэтому она по быстрому отправила дочь учиться в США и негласно наказала не возвращаться. Из этого могло выйти что-то интересное, но у автора не было времени во все это погружаться. Из-за чего в конце решение Гретхен остаться и перенять-таки семейное дело кажется не "первым в жизни самостоятельным решением", а "у папы и мамы были разные представления о моем будущем, и папин вариант мне нравиться больше, а другого (помимо маминого) нет". И в конце все проблемы, естественно, мило и красиво разрешились. Не дожали конфликт, как мне кажется. Я понимаю, что это дебют, да и книга довольно старая, но все-таки. Так как в книге постоянно конфликты сменяют друг-друга, ни один из них не раскрыт нормально. Даже ключевой конфликт в семье не раскрыт так, как мне хотелось бы.
Рецензия на Livelib
Подборка
August 20, 2015
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/s...
I picked this as one of my monthly choices as a Prime member last December, and I decided to finally give it a go when I saw it was a Whispersync option on KU. (Knowing that I can press play on a book I'm reading when I'm busy cleaning or driving is a fabulous thing, especially because I hate stopping a good book.)
Before I get into the review of the book, I want to say that I felt Nancy Wu did a wonderful job as a narrator, and I plan on listening to more of her work (seriously, I already have the other two of her works available on KU downloaded into my phone).
As someone who has been through divorce, similar to Gretchen's, in that there were no assets or children involved, so I could easily relate to how she was feeling. I do enjoy when I can form an emotional connection to a character. I remember the confusion and how much I struggled during those times.
My favorite part would have to be getting to experience the culture of the privileged of Singapore. I found it fascinating, and the setting was done so vividly that I could easily picture it as I read/listened.
I now have a deeper appreciation for soy sauce after reading this. I was never a big fan of it before, as it is too salty for my taste, but I'd like to experience the flavors talked about in this story. Especially with the Sprite.
The end, although I noticed it bothered many people, didn't upset me. I like open endings. It means I can reflect on the multiple possibilities.
I picked this as one of my monthly choices as a Prime member last December, and I decided to finally give it a go when I saw it was a Whispersync option on KU. (Knowing that I can press play on a book I'm reading when I'm busy cleaning or driving is a fabulous thing, especially because I hate stopping a good book.)
Before I get into the review of the book, I want to say that I felt Nancy Wu did a wonderful job as a narrator, and I plan on listening to more of her work (seriously, I already have the other two of her works available on KU downloaded into my phone).
As someone who has been through divorce, similar to Gretchen's, in that there were no assets or children involved, so I could easily relate to how she was feeling. I do enjoy when I can form an emotional connection to a character. I remember the confusion and how much I struggled during those times.
My favorite part would have to be getting to experience the culture of the privileged of Singapore. I found it fascinating, and the setting was done so vividly that I could easily picture it as I read/listened.
I now have a deeper appreciation for soy sauce after reading this. I was never a big fan of it before, as it is too salty for my taste, but I'd like to experience the flavors talked about in this story. Especially with the Sprite.
The end, although I noticed it bothered many people, didn't upset me. I like open endings. It means I can reflect on the multiple possibilities.
January 1, 2014
This book is a quick read. It is easy to follow and understand. It is the struggle of a family business and it’s choices of how to remain successful and carry on. This is the coming of age story of Gretchen who must make big decisions in her life about what she really wants to do both in her personal and professional life. She has to find her way and embrace who she is. There is also a little thread of a love story woven in. The book is full of information about soy sauce. There is also elements of the Asian culture clash. The new ways vs. the old and problems of immigrants. Should she give up tradition and become more American or embrace her Asian culture? I found this book interesting. I give this book a 4 out 5.
Want to read
December 6, 2013I accidentally pushed a button on the Itouch and next thing I knew I'd ordered this pre-release. Figure I might as well read it, maybe it was serendipity.
May 21, 2019
This book was okay. Fairly run-of-the-mill story line, slightly spiced up by the addition of artisanal soy sauce. I never really cared much about Gretchen and her issues, but I did really wish I could try some of Lin's soy sauce! I wished it was real, and I could buy some. I checked at my local Wegmans for any sort of artisanal soy sauce, but all they carry is the usual La Choy and Kikkoman. I guess I need to go to an Asian grocery, but then I can't read the labels, so how will I know which ones are the premium soy sauce?
I hoped there would be an appendix with some tips on finding artisanal soy sauce, and maybe a suggested recipe, but alas not.
There were a lot of things that bugged me about this book, and most of them are centered on my general lack of interest in the protagonist, Gretchen. She makes her own life miserable by repelling people around her, and then feels sad when everyone stops trying to talk to her. She continually blows off her parents and close friends who care about her.
Most annoying was the beginning of chapter 2:
And I assumed that we would be eventually told why exactly she was behaving in this bizarre manner, avoiding delicious food that she enjoys just because she didn't want to sit next to her uncle? But it never made sense. Combine this with the number of times Gretchen comments on how her best friend, Frankie, used to be so fat, and I'm left wondering if Chen has an untreated eating disorder that is coming through in her writing? It was weird and unpleasant and kind of boring.
I hoped there would be an appendix with some tips on finding artisanal soy sauce, and maybe a suggested recipe, but alas not.
There were a lot of things that bugged me about this book, and most of them are centered on my general lack of interest in the protagonist, Gretchen. She makes her own life miserable by repelling people around her, and then feels sad when everyone stops trying to talk to her. She continually blows off her parents and close friends who care about her.
Most annoying was the beginning of chapter 2:
Back in 1958, when my grandfather opened his new soy sauce factory, he mandated that all employees, factory and office staff alike, break each day at 12:30 for a family-style meal prepared by in-house cooks. ... Many of these dishes I'd missed dearly during my time in San Francisco, and yet lunch was an activity I tried my best to avoid. My first day at work, I slipped into the kitchen early to fill a plate to take upstairs, but my uncle spotted me on my way out and insisted I take the seat beside him to explain what exactly I was learning in this master's program in music education. After that, I feigned stomach trouble and stayed at my desk, where I ate Cinnamon Toast Crunch - purchased at the expat grocery store for twice the price - straight from the box.
And I assumed that we would be eventually told why exactly she was behaving in this bizarre manner, avoiding delicious food that she enjoys just because she didn't want to sit next to her uncle? But it never made sense. Combine this with the number of times Gretchen comments on how her best friend, Frankie, used to be so fat, and I'm left wondering if Chen has an untreated eating disorder that is coming through in her writing? It was weird and unpleasant and kind of boring.
March 2, 2015
Kristin Chen's debut novel hits all the right notes out of the gate. I wish that "Crazy Rich Asians" had taken a page out of her book. Ms. Chen ensures that you get fully immersed in Singapore by following only one protagonist, Gretchen Lin. We do get some of the "crazy rich Asians" elements when Ms. Chen explains about how much some of her friends and family buy on designer wear or drop money at the latest nightclubs. However, these are more asides than major plot points and you don't find yourself getting bored or frustrated.
I loved that the character of Gretchen is struggling with what to do in her life after a surprising announcement from her husband. Fleeing San Francisco for Singapore we have Gretchen returning to work in her family's soy sauce factory. Ms. Lin then provides the readers with detailed explanations on how "real" soy sauce is prepared. Apparently the soy sauce I have dunked my sushi in all of these years is highly inferior stuff. It was quite interesting to hear how long it takes to make really good soy sauce and that you can actually cook meat with it as well, also drink it (which I would probably still never do).
Also though I found Gretchen to be aggravating at times when it came to her facing what was really going on in her life with her family, her family business, her husband she finally does end up coming to peace on what she needs to do.
Ms. Lin is able to immerse the reader in this novel in such a way that I felt as if I was along with Gretchen smelling soybeans, feeling the moist heat in Singapore, and the air in San Francisco.
My only minor quibble is that sometimes characters speak in Slingish, Chinese, Maylay, etc. I wish that it had been explained in some way. I was able to get the gist a few times but some of the sentences I had no idea what a person was trying to say.
I look forward to reading future books by Ms. Chen in the future. I 100% recommend this novel.
I loved that the character of Gretchen is struggling with what to do in her life after a surprising announcement from her husband. Fleeing San Francisco for Singapore we have Gretchen returning to work in her family's soy sauce factory. Ms. Lin then provides the readers with detailed explanations on how "real" soy sauce is prepared. Apparently the soy sauce I have dunked my sushi in all of these years is highly inferior stuff. It was quite interesting to hear how long it takes to make really good soy sauce and that you can actually cook meat with it as well, also drink it (which I would probably still never do).
Also though I found Gretchen to be aggravating at times when it came to her facing what was really going on in her life with her family, her family business, her husband she finally does end up coming to peace on what she needs to do.
Ms. Lin is able to immerse the reader in this novel in such a way that I felt as if I was along with Gretchen smelling soybeans, feeling the moist heat in Singapore, and the air in San Francisco.
My only minor quibble is that sometimes characters speak in Slingish, Chinese, Maylay, etc. I wish that it had been explained in some way. I was able to get the gist a few times but some of the sentences I had no idea what a person was trying to say.
I look forward to reading future books by Ms. Chen in the future. I 100% recommend this novel.
January 17, 2014
I bought the book as part of Amazon First and also because I thought it would be interesting. I tried for more than a month to read it, but it was hard. It's hard to relate to a a character in a privileged disposition in life only to whine and ramble about life and a marriage that has crumbled. Gretchen's father owns a soy sauce company in Singapore and she comes home from California after her marriage crumbled and when she learned that her mother was ill. There was a position made for her in the company, she drives her own car (which in Singapore is very expensive to own that only the rich could afford it) and yet she complains about her fate. She's a typical spoiled kid who, in college, couldn't decide what to do with her life that she flitted from one study to another, took up masters, and further studies. Think of the main character in Eat, Pray, Love, only far less sympathetic. The novel is riddled with clichés and the characters weren't so fleshed out. They were more two-dimensional than real that it's hard to relate to any of them. It's not because the characters are from the privileged class, but because the story doesn't reveal any new truths or any depth to those things. There are many stories about the rich and the privileged and yet you can still relate to them in some way, or at least, they can be engaging and interesting. This isn't just one of those.
September 4, 2023
I really enjoyed the descriptions of the food in this book! I felt like I could envision myself seated at the table with the rest of the Lin family, sipping double boiled fish soup and munching on crispy eel.
I came out of this book knowing way more about soy sauce than I ever thought I would, and with a strange craving to taste the real thing.
This story seemed like a love letter to Singapore and its culture, despite the protagonist's desire to be anywhere but there. I enjoyed reading about Gretchen and her family, although Gretchen herself was sometimes unbearable to read about.
Whenever she pined over her ex-husband or dropped everything for James, I wanted to scream at her to get up and find her dignity. Her envious nature also made me feel less sympathetic towards her plight, especially whenever she bad-mouthed her friend Frankie in her mind. However, I enjoyed her self-awareness and her changes throughout the story.
I came out of this book knowing way more about soy sauce than I ever thought I would, and with a strange craving to taste the real thing.
This story seemed like a love letter to Singapore and its culture, despite the protagonist's desire to be anywhere but there. I enjoyed reading about Gretchen and her family, although Gretchen herself was sometimes unbearable to read about.
Whenever she pined over her ex-husband or dropped everything for James, I wanted to scream at her to get up and find her dignity. Her envious nature also made me feel less sympathetic towards her plight, especially whenever she bad-mouthed her friend Frankie in her mind. However, I enjoyed her self-awareness and her changes throughout the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2015
I felt I was reading a journal, as if this was the author’s memoir. So begins the story of Gretch who is in a transition in her life – after being faced with deceit and betrayal.
Many note the rich Asian symbolism. Funny on the rich asian part as, for example, I don’t feel rich at all – it’s our parents and ancestors legacy we just happen to be inheriting.
I can’t help but reminisce on how the parents throw out the name of the Uni their son/daughter attend/attending/attended. There’s the typical “piano lessons and recitals”, being Stateside or the expectation of the first born in line taking the helm of running the family business.
I loved the short dialogue where the taxi driver asks if she still spoke Chinese and she responded back in Chinese.
Interesting take from her arrival in Singapore to her decision to stay, or rather, move on. Entertaining read!
Many note the rich Asian symbolism. Funny on the rich asian part as, for example, I don’t feel rich at all – it’s our parents and ancestors legacy we just happen to be inheriting.
I can’t help but reminisce on how the parents throw out the name of the Uni their son/daughter attend/attending/attended. There’s the typical “piano lessons and recitals”, being Stateside or the expectation of the first born in line taking the helm of running the family business.
I loved the short dialogue where the taxi driver asks if she still spoke Chinese and she responded back in Chinese.
Interesting take from her arrival in Singapore to her decision to stay, or rather, move on. Entertaining read!
August 17, 2018
I knew after I read Chen’s most recent novel, Bury What We Cannot Take, I had to go back and read her debut. While Soy Sauce for Beginners is very different in tone, I was happy to see the attention to detail and character building remained strong in Chen’s writing. While Gretchen is flawed and makes many mistakes, I was eager to find out what would happen to her after she finished her summer stint at the family business. In addition to the main characters, the business itself plays an integral part in the story. Chen emphasizes the deep history of the company and it’s founder, Gretchen’s grandfather, and gave me a much deeper appreciation for soy sauce and how it’s made. Plus, this story constantly made me hungry for sushi and other Asian dishes! Definitely check this one out!
February 18, 2014
Soy Sauce for Beginners was a promising read, depicting a 30-some asian, worn down by life and returning to her family roots, set in Singapore. Almost sounds like my life in a couple years! But Kirsten Chen's characters failed to come to life. There are plenty of other reviews that hit my feelings pretty accurately concerning this book.
A book that kind of languishes with no clear plot to follow, characters that I can no longer remember the name to, and feelings that don't really hit an emotional connection.
This book is a pass. I could never read a book with an unlikable and seemingly shallow protagonist.
A book that kind of languishes with no clear plot to follow, characters that I can no longer remember the name to, and feelings that don't really hit an emotional connection.
This book is a pass. I could never read a book with an unlikable and seemingly shallow protagonist.
December 3, 2013
An excellent story containing all the rich symbolism I enjoy. Gretchen is a music student but the metronome appears so many times that surely it is a metaphor for her chaotic life: to slow down her mother's illness, to speed up time to get away from family and to reverse time back to when her marriage was whole. Chen's two sentences describe the major theme: “I reached over to my nightstand, turned my metronome to forty, the slowest setting, and counted the steady clicks. Once the needle got going, all you had to do was keep time.” So true...so difficult to do...
December 16, 2016
This book is the literary equivalent of fat free sugar free dessert. Seems like an okay idea but not worth the effort. This book took me forever to read. Not because is was long, or complicated, or a dense read. I just didn't care about it at all and had trouble forcing myself to pick it up. I just finished this at 9:21 and will have forgotten about it completely by 9:25.
July 21, 2018
I liked the book in spite of not liking to protagonist very much. I liked her friends much better. They felt real and grounded. I enjoyed the setting of Singapore and the telling of the parallel lives of Gretchen and her mother. The soy sauce business part was good and interesting, but I was irritated at how good things kept falling into Gretchen's lap when she wasn't working that hard on them.
June 18, 2019
There were a good number of things to like here--the history of soy sauce, the cultural aspects of life in Singapore--these were the things that really drew me in to this story. I also thought there was a lot of potential for Gretchen's family dynamics to make for a really compelling story that would have me flipping the pages and get me emotionally invested.
Sadly, that's where this book fell short for me. I couldn't connect with Gretchen the way I wanted to. I didn't feel like she went on an emotional journey as much as she was aimless and indecisive for about 90% of the book, then (literally) woke up one day close to the end with a ton of clarity that came from out of nowhere. And the part with her cousin could've been such good conflict, but it felt glossed over in places and unfinished at the end. Likewise, I was disappointed in the way her female friendships were portrayed.
That said, this was a quick read (2 days for me) and I liked it. The history of Gretchen's family's soy sauce business was by far my favorite part, and made it worthwhile.
Sadly, that's where this book fell short for me. I couldn't connect with Gretchen the way I wanted to. I didn't feel like she went on an emotional journey as much as she was aimless and indecisive for about 90% of the book, then (literally) woke up one day close to the end with a ton of clarity that came from out of nowhere. And the part with her cousin could've been such good conflict, but it felt glossed over in places and unfinished at the end. Likewise, I was disappointed in the way her female friendships were portrayed.
That said, this was a quick read (2 days for me) and I liked it. The history of Gretchen's family's soy sauce business was by far my favorite part, and made it worthwhile.
August 28, 2015
This is a light and breezy book, easily read but without much satisfaction. There were as many tired tropes as new or uncommon elements (eg the alcoholic mother, the hunky (and desirable) Asian man)
April 20, 2019
3.5 stars rounded down. Loved the sections about the production, taste, and marketing of artisanal soy sauce.
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