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In Full Bloom
Disagreeing with her traditional mother, who believes that career satisfaction is irrelevant compared to a steady paycheck and who wants her to find a professional Korean husband, Ginger Lee plans to sabotage her blind dates while working toward a promotion, with unexpected results. A first novel. 15,000 first printing.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 27, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 31, 2010
Chick-lit loud and proud, but surprisingly satisfying. And two thumbs up for making the fashion-magazine-working main character complex enough to actually have A NICE RELATIONSHIP with her meddling, matchmaking Korean mom. Imagine that, an Asian mom who isn't just a hilarious stereotype. Delightful.
July 25, 2011
Delightful story of a 20-something trying to make her way in the world of work after dropping out of her PhD. program. Add to this her Korean mother who comes for an extended visit, knowing a nice Korean husband and children is all Ginger needs to make her life complete.
Not for my YA's, but I adored it!
Not for my YA's, but I adored it!
April 29, 2009
Ginger's mother shows up and says she won't return home until her daughter finds a Korean husband. Cute story about Ginger's relationship with her mom, best friend, other Koreans and co-workers. The story doesn't have the typical 'happy ending' but that is okay because that's how life really is!
February 23, 2008
I love this book!! its a great example of how a girl can just be herself. She overcomes her own stereotypes of her family who are Korean and I believe that is a great lesson
March 13, 2011
Ginger claims she wants complete independence from her mother, but it's easy to say that she's very dependent on her. She admires her mother and is more forgiving of her mother's actions than others might be, but it also sounds like Ginger's mom is not the traditional strict Korean mother. Ginger's mother disowned Ginger's brother, George after he married a white American woman and so Ginger is all she has left. She is determined to see Ginger marry a Korean man and is convinced Ginger needs her help to 'get a man.' (unbeknownst to her Ginger dated throughout college and grad school, just not Korean men). In describing her mother Ginger says"It was really something how in less than a week she'd leapt from coercing me to look for her future son-in-law to saying she wanted a namesake. Such great strides in so little time. It was a shame she wasn't involved in a greater, less hopeless cause than her daughter, like world hunger or female illiteracy." (pg. 69). I liked Ginger's narration, she was determined to be a feminist, but sometimes it backfired on her. She narrates her life story with a good sense of humor and it's touching how she's so willing to go along with whatever her mom wants while still engaging in small acts of rebellion.
In Full Bloom is a surprising, much-needed (says the non-chick lit expert) addition to the chick lit canon. I was really happy with the ending because I thought it was most unusual. I was also pleasantly surprised by the fact that homophobia was brought up and when Ginger tells off a certain someone for assuming she and all her Asians are 'the help' it's a fabulous moment. I especially appreciated that Ginger's mother does not fall prey to the immigrant mother stereotype. Perhaps the best part is when Ginger realizes that she's prejudiced against Koreans, I think many people of color and immigrants are reluctant to acknowledge that they look down on their culture at times or are too eager to forget where they came from. A charming, merry tale with an unconventional ending and a diverse cast.
In Full Bloom is a surprising, much-needed (says the non-chick lit expert) addition to the chick lit canon. I was really happy with the ending because I thought it was most unusual. I was also pleasantly surprised by the fact that homophobia was brought up and when Ginger tells off a certain someone for assuming she and all her Asians are 'the help' it's a fabulous moment. I especially appreciated that Ginger's mother does not fall prey to the immigrant mother stereotype. Perhaps the best part is when Ginger realizes that she's prejudiced against Koreans, I think many people of color and immigrants are reluctant to acknowledge that they look down on their culture at times or are too eager to forget where they came from. A charming, merry tale with an unconventional ending and a diverse cast.
May 20, 2012
The story revolves around Ginger a Korean-American working at a fashion magazine. Right at the beginning, with barely any chance to take a breath, Ginger’s mother arrives in town to find her a Korean husband. Wanting only to further her career, she finally agrees to allow her mother to find her someone suitable.
As the story evolves, so does Ginger, trying to understand being a Korean, born and raised in America, and its challenges within the family infrastructure. Not only are we taken for a ride in her personal and family life, we are equally immersed in her daily tasks at the fashion magazine.
Definitely a girly book, great for a summer read or to bring along on a vacation. When you need is a small glimmer of fashion, love (or lack of) and comedy.
The author adds more than enough comedy to keep the book light and interesting, and on your toes wondering what Ginger will decide at the end.
Quote p.214: “ – “It wasn’t a mistake,” I said to reassure her, wanting to stamp it in her brain that it would never be a mistake. Maybe I was reacting like a child, but my pact, my resolve, depended upon her being single too. “I would still be the way I am – except I’d probably like Korean men less.”
My mother jerked up. “You don’t like Korean men?”
I swallowed hard. In all of the morning’s deep reflecting, I hadn’t come to terms with that.
As the story evolves, so does Ginger, trying to understand being a Korean, born and raised in America, and its challenges within the family infrastructure. Not only are we taken for a ride in her personal and family life, we are equally immersed in her daily tasks at the fashion magazine.
Definitely a girly book, great for a summer read or to bring along on a vacation. When you need is a small glimmer of fashion, love (or lack of) and comedy.
The author adds more than enough comedy to keep the book light and interesting, and on your toes wondering what Ginger will decide at the end.
Quote p.214: “ – “It wasn’t a mistake,” I said to reassure her, wanting to stamp it in her brain that it would never be a mistake. Maybe I was reacting like a child, but my pact, my resolve, depended upon her being single too. “I would still be the way I am – except I’d probably like Korean men less.”
My mother jerked up. “You don’t like Korean men?”
I swallowed hard. In all of the morning’s deep reflecting, I hadn’t come to terms with that.
October 20, 2015
I haven't gone outside the Chinese-American bubble often when it comes to AA fic, though some of the tropes are certainly similar. A fun chick-lit read, blending bits of Devil Wears Pradaesque (still need to read that, but I have seen the movie...?) fashion magazine politics with the 2nd gen story of parents trying to find partners for their kids so they can make grandbabies.
The 13 year silence between Ginger's mom and her brother sort of reminded me of my own family history- my grandma refused to talk to my uncle when he married a white lady until my cousin (the first grandbaby) was born. When I learned about it, it seemed rather unfathomable because Ngin-Ngin was such a sweet lady, AND was born here so 2nd gen... I dunno. Luckily, my parents have told me that 'it's not a race' re: having kids and getting married, though as they get older I do wonder if they'll change their minds.
The 13 year silence between Ginger's mom and her brother sort of reminded me of my own family history- my grandma refused to talk to my uncle when he married a white lady until my cousin (the first grandbaby) was born. When I learned about it, it seemed rather unfathomable because Ngin-Ngin was such a sweet lady, AND was born here so 2nd gen... I dunno. Luckily, my parents have told me that 'it's not a race' re: having kids and getting married, though as they get older I do wonder if they'll change their minds.
August 26, 2010
This was a good book about a Korean-American woman trying to find herself and fit into the Korean world of her mother who wanted her to get married to a Korean man right away and the American world where she was trying to establish herself and start a career.
I was torn when it came to her mother because she cared about her, but she kept saying how her bloom was fading and how she had better find a man. I didn't like the way she disowned her son George for marrying a white woman either. That wasn't very nice. She should not have done that. You have to stick by family after all.
She kept meddling in her daughter's life. I'd be mad if any of my parents did that. I'd want to growl at them. But the main character was trying to please her mother and be kind to her. Sometimes she'd give her useful advice too. Other times she'd be so harsh, criticising her clothes and how she ate.
It was an entertaining book at least.
I was torn when it came to her mother because she cared about her, but she kept saying how her bloom was fading and how she had better find a man. I didn't like the way she disowned her son George for marrying a white woman either. That wasn't very nice. She should not have done that. You have to stick by family after all.
She kept meddling in her daughter's life. I'd be mad if any of my parents did that. I'd want to growl at them. But the main character was trying to please her mother and be kind to her. Sometimes she'd give her useful advice too. Other times she'd be so harsh, criticising her clothes and how she ate.
It was an entertaining book at least.
July 11, 2008
Ever since I learned Korean, I have been fascinated with the culture.
This is a fictional story of Ginger, a 27 year old Korean-American woman, whose mother is determined to set her up to marry a good Korean doctor. Ginger has no desire to marry, and even less desire to continue with the traditional Korean culture rules. One man that her mother sets her up with turns out to be engaged - and not to a Korean woman. Ginger's mom tries to get her to break up the engagement!
The book isn't only about the dates Ginger's mom sets her up with. Hwang writes about Ginger's struggles with her job and the racism she encounters.
This is a fictional story of Ginger, a 27 year old Korean-American woman, whose mother is determined to set her up to marry a good Korean doctor. Ginger has no desire to marry, and even less desire to continue with the traditional Korean culture rules. One man that her mother sets her up with turns out to be engaged - and not to a Korean woman. Ginger's mom tries to get her to break up the engagement!
The book isn't only about the dates Ginger's mom sets her up with. Hwang writes about Ginger's struggles with her job and the racism she encounters.
October 21, 2015
This was one of those books that I liked the premise and for the most part I liked the story but I feel like the author went on random tangents. I am not sure if it was the "history" of Koreans or what but I found myself bored with parts of the book. Overall I did like going through the "learning process" with her and I admit I know nothing about the Asian culture so that was definitely interesting. I think I would give her another shot but if the story line didn't keep me with the second book I would have no problem putting it back on the shelf and giving up
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July 30, 2011The most "American" protagonist of the Korean-American books I've been reading lately, Ginger deals with a Korean mom determined to find her a husband, an insanely political (and funny) environment at the fashion magazine where she works, and a long-standing rift between her brother and her mother. Hwang writes with a clear and authentic Korean-American voice that I could completely relate to, and her characters and plot lines are amusing but believable, and real. Truly enjoyed this book.
February 3, 2010
I rather enjoyed this read. Great statements and it felt like a-coming-of-age book for adults in a dual cultural world. I thought was also very beautifully written and a bit rhetorical.
July 15, 2019
This was one of those books that I liked the premise and for the most part I liked the story but I feel like the author went on random tangents. I am not sure if it was the "history" of Koreans or what but I found myself bored with parts of the book. Overall I did like going through the "learning process" with her and I admit I know nothing about the Asian culture so that was definitely interesting. I think I would give her another shot but if the story line didn't keep me with the second book I would have no problem putting it back on the shelf and giving up
April 13, 2024
Ginger works for the rat-race of a fashion magazine and thinks she's content with her life--until her mother tells her that she's not. Is Ginger's mom really helping with her life, or is she just trying to retroactively change what happened in her own?
November 16, 2019
Gimme a minute here------okay I've got it.
It was like chewing nails.
It was like chewing nails.
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December 7, 20222003
Korean American mother daughter relationship
Korean American mother daughter relationship
November 10, 2023
I liked this one, just didn’t care for all the back and forth office politics and work talk. That strongest parts of the novel were about her family relationships and identity as a mixed race American, and I would have rather heard more about that than the details of working at a photo shoot with models.
July 23, 2007
The Korean cultural inserts in the book were interesting, like Amy Tan's Joy Luck Club. I also liked the references to Pride and Prejudice. However, the story was okay and the ending was anticlimatic. I wouldn't read this again.
April 25, 2012
Korean-American Chick lit! The protagonists's mother wants her to marry a Korean guy. I liked that part, and her musings on identity. I did not care for the scenes at her workplace, a fashion magazine that seems to employ nothing but horrible, self-centered, stupid people with pointless lives.
August 18, 2007
My mom is bothering me about finding a guy and getting married, so I could sympathize with the character. Cute insight into the Korean culture and all the talk about food got me hungry!
October 15, 2007
Fun beach read. Very Funny.
August 2, 2008
cute, easy read. Being an adoptee from Asia, I found some of the stereotypes relatable and funny.
February 8, 2009
easy read. interesting insight into culture.
February 5, 2009
Apart from the fashion industry lifestyle, this book is so my life right now.
April 27, 2009
Thought it ended weakly.
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August 3, 2011i dont like this book at all.
February 18, 2012
Not bad - more thought-provoking than most chick-lit - didn't like the ending, so that kills it for me.
June 3, 2008
a little too full of cliches, but I still laughed out loud.
March 1, 2012
made me laugh out loud at times, thinking of my own korean mother
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews