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The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling
Anna Chiu has her hands full looking after her siblings and helping out at her dad’s restaurant, all while her mum stays in bed. The new delivery boy Rory is a welcome distraction and even though things aren’t right at home, Anna’s starting to feel like she could just be a normal teen.
But when Mum finally gets out of bed, things go from bad to worse. And as Mum’s condition worsens, Anna and her family question everything they understand about themselves and each other.
But when Mum finally gets out of bed, things go from bad to worse. And as Mum’s condition worsens, Anna and her family question everything they understand about themselves and each other.
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First published August 5, 2019
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7867 people want to read
About the author
Wai Chim
10 books162 followersWai Chim grew up in New York City and now calls Sydney, Australia home. She is the author of several children and young adult titles. You can find her online at waichim.com or on twitter @onewpc.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 727 reviews
August 4, 2019
This review originally appeared on Happy Indulgence Books. Check it out for more reviews!
Not only does it cover the mental illness and depression well, but it’s also balanced with equal parts warmth, of hope and of love and acceptance. I don’t know how Wai Chim does it, but The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling captures so much of my life growing up. From having strict, traditional Chinese-Australian parents, to the mental illness stigma and a sister having to take care of her siblings, there’s so much here that captures life for me and my siblings.
Often mental illness in Asian families is something to be shunned, something that is swept under the rug and wasn’t talked about. Instead of talking about it openly, and getting those affected the help that was needed, it was something to be ashamed of. Something that highlighted the weaknesses in one’s family. Something that was blamed on others. And all of that hurt, all of that pain is something that is captured in Good Dumpling. Not only is it covered empathetically, but it’s also done without blame.
I loved the moments in Anna Chiu’s life where she finds love within her own family, despite the hardships they go through. She finds love out of being the “good daughter”, of helping her father look after his restaurant, of helping her mother look after her younger sister and brother. And she does all of this without question, because of her values of filial piety.
I also loved the part where Anna Chiu helps out at her dad’s restaurant which adds a fun element to a book that covers a lot of ground. The parts with Ah Jeff and the rest of the staff were so much fun and showed how grounding a family business could be. I also loved all the descriptions of food, dumplings and noodle soup in the novel and how it talks about “westernised” Asian food as well as “real” Asian food which is something that is so accepted by Asians living in the West, but no one really talks about it!
Although Anna has a lot on her plate helping out with her family and siblings, it’s amazing just how narrow-minded the education system can be. And that’s highlighted by her guidance counsellor pushing her towards a more “worthwhile” career that looks good on the books, and how her grades are everything. Anna doesn’t want to share her life story with her guidance counsellor for fear of backlash and of being judged, but I like how she speaks her mind about it.
It’s often hard to balance stories about cultural attitudes and racism, but Good Dumpling covers the Chinese-Australian experience so well. I loved the discussions about microaggressions that Asians can face in Australia, like how everyone just pretends we’re any sort of Asian and thinks we speak for the rest of the race. Something that often isn’t talked about is the intrinsic racism that many of us have against other cultures too. It’s not perfect, but Good Dumpling covers it with such grace and honesty.
Good Dumpling also covers an Asian dating someone who your parents didn’t expect you to: someone who is anglo-saxon (and not another Chinese). I loved how empathetic Rory was, and how his own experience with depression helped to open up Anna’s empathy and understanding when it came to her mother’s mental illness. How it’s an ongoing condition, and just because you “seem okay” at the time, doesn’t mean that you’re completely cured. Because in the end, that’s what this book is about – learning how to understand, manage and help with mental illness so you can function again.
I’m a complete blubbering mess after reading The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling, which moved me to tears upon finishing it. From the mental illness in the family, to caring for your siblings, and the Chinese-Australian experience growing up…I’ve never had a book that reflected my own experience so succinctly before. It’s a book that is heartwarming, meaningful and thoroughly important, and I can’t wait for everyone to read it.
Trigger warnings: mental illness, racism, bullying, animal cruelty
I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Not only does it cover the mental illness and depression well, but it’s also balanced with equal parts warmth, of hope and of love and acceptance. I don’t know how Wai Chim does it, but The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling captures so much of my life growing up. From having strict, traditional Chinese-Australian parents, to the mental illness stigma and a sister having to take care of her siblings, there’s so much here that captures life for me and my siblings.
Often mental illness in Asian families is something to be shunned, something that is swept under the rug and wasn’t talked about. Instead of talking about it openly, and getting those affected the help that was needed, it was something to be ashamed of. Something that highlighted the weaknesses in one’s family. Something that was blamed on others. And all of that hurt, all of that pain is something that is captured in Good Dumpling. Not only is it covered empathetically, but it’s also done without blame.
I loved the moments in Anna Chiu’s life where she finds love within her own family, despite the hardships they go through. She finds love out of being the “good daughter”, of helping her father look after his restaurant, of helping her mother look after her younger sister and brother. And she does all of this without question, because of her values of filial piety.
I also loved the part where Anna Chiu helps out at her dad’s restaurant which adds a fun element to a book that covers a lot of ground. The parts with Ah Jeff and the rest of the staff were so much fun and showed how grounding a family business could be. I also loved all the descriptions of food, dumplings and noodle soup in the novel and how it talks about “westernised” Asian food as well as “real” Asian food which is something that is so accepted by Asians living in the West, but no one really talks about it!
Although Anna has a lot on her plate helping out with her family and siblings, it’s amazing just how narrow-minded the education system can be. And that’s highlighted by her guidance counsellor pushing her towards a more “worthwhile” career that looks good on the books, and how her grades are everything. Anna doesn’t want to share her life story with her guidance counsellor for fear of backlash and of being judged, but I like how she speaks her mind about it.
It’s often hard to balance stories about cultural attitudes and racism, but Good Dumpling covers the Chinese-Australian experience so well. I loved the discussions about microaggressions that Asians can face in Australia, like how everyone just pretends we’re any sort of Asian and thinks we speak for the rest of the race. Something that often isn’t talked about is the intrinsic racism that many of us have against other cultures too. It’s not perfect, but Good Dumpling covers it with such grace and honesty.
Good Dumpling also covers an Asian dating someone who your parents didn’t expect you to: someone who is anglo-saxon (and not another Chinese). I loved how empathetic Rory was, and how his own experience with depression helped to open up Anna’s empathy and understanding when it came to her mother’s mental illness. How it’s an ongoing condition, and just because you “seem okay” at the time, doesn’t mean that you’re completely cured. Because in the end, that’s what this book is about – learning how to understand, manage and help with mental illness so you can function again.
I’m a complete blubbering mess after reading The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling, which moved me to tears upon finishing it. From the mental illness in the family, to caring for your siblings, and the Chinese-Australian experience growing up…I’ve never had a book that reflected my own experience so succinctly before. It’s a book that is heartwarming, meaningful and thoroughly important, and I can’t wait for everyone to read it.
Trigger warnings: mental illness, racism, bullying, animal cruelty
I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2020
Read my full review on my blog, The Quiet Pond!
I don't remember the last time a book made me feel so vulnerable and raw. This book made me confront a lot of personal feelings about a lot of things, some of which were uncomfortable, but I think that's why this book is so important and necessary.
The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling is one of the most candid and honest portrayals of how mental illness intersects with Asian identity, culture, and values.
Not only was this an effortless 5⭐ read, but this is a new all-time favourite book.
Trigger/content warnings:
I don't remember the last time a book made me feel so vulnerable and raw. This book made me confront a lot of personal feelings about a lot of things, some of which were uncomfortable, but I think that's why this book is so important and necessary.
The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling is one of the most candid and honest portrayals of how mental illness intersects with Asian identity, culture, and values.
Not only was this an effortless 5⭐ read, but this is a new all-time favourite book.
Trigger/content warnings:
March 26, 2020
Ok so I feel sort of attacked, ok just kidding I don’t, ok maybe I do. I did find myself relating to Anna, who is the main character in the book a fair, bit, being a Chinese-Aussie myself, even though I’m from Melbourne and Anna is from Sydney. I felt that when she looked over at a certain group of people and at how they were all going to get super higher ATAR(Australia Tertiary Admission Rank, from those non Aussies out there, it’s the score that bases what uni’s we get into) and all had classical piano training, but well, that’s actually sort of like me…
Now, I totally sympathise with Anna’a position and truth be told, there are lots of Asians in Australia and the West in general who are forced to take up a classical instrument, like I was, but the good thing is that I adore piano now so it’s all good. I did find that the way that the author conveyed racism was superbly down, often in small more subtle ways, that the person saying it may not actually realise it is that racist at all. I’m often stereotyped for the sort of Asian that going to become a doctor or whatever since I get good grades in school, yet often, the ‘Western’ kids never get those sort of comments. Now Anna feels the pressure of needing to be amazing at school and feels like that she isn’t this perfect daughter, which, honestly, in Chinese circles and cultures, is so understandable and relatable.
I found that perhaps I could relate to Anna more than a fair number of people, since I suppose I really felt all the cultural stuff and that stuff really struck a lot closer to heart. For others, I think it could be eye opening to the sort of pressure Asian-Australians or Asian-Americans kids may feel sometimes. I’m totally up there with Anna, though I don’t know if I have as much pressure as her, especially since she is nearing the ending of high school and that is quite a struggle for people.
Relatability: All the stars.
The dialogue here was an interesting one, since it was much more free than most books I have read, which threw me off slightly, though I got used to it pretty quickly and I think it felt much more natural coming out of a teenager’s mouth. Hearing things like ‘sooooo’ and the such was really nice for a change instead of really formal sort of stuff, since look, teenagers aren’t really mature people most of the time, like at all. I would know since I am one.
This did end up making the characters feel much more realistic and often, at an important motion in the story, when say, they would open up about something, it did end up being extremely raw. That was a really great part of the book that I also really liked, since it did feel so raw, real and open to me personally, especially since I could already relate to many aspects of the books. This book also does happen to deal with some pretty traumatic issues that I really don’t know much about, but the author managed to also display it in a really upfront and I suppose, realistic way to try and make the reader understand from all standpoints, such as where Anna is coming from when trying to deal with her Mum.
I found the side characters to also be quite well realised people, all with their own quirks and personalities, which was really nice, as often, side characters can be left out and often can be underdeveloped, which can be such a shame, so luckily, they were realised to their full potential here.
Something that irked me slightly was the relationship between Anna and her love interest Rory. While I really liked Rory as a character, he is 20, while Anna is only 16 at the start of the book, which does make her a minor, and I think because of the modern bounds and rules that I am used to, it does happen to be a bit of a weird decision in my opinion as that is sort of not that legal? That being said, I did like Rory as a character and the stuff he had to handle was presented really well by the author.
Overall, I did really end up liking this book, and I found it to be quite relatable and quite realistic. 9/10
Now, I totally sympathise with Anna’a position and truth be told, there are lots of Asians in Australia and the West in general who are forced to take up a classical instrument, like I was, but the good thing is that I adore piano now so it’s all good. I did find that the way that the author conveyed racism was superbly down, often in small more subtle ways, that the person saying it may not actually realise it is that racist at all. I’m often stereotyped for the sort of Asian that going to become a doctor or whatever since I get good grades in school, yet often, the ‘Western’ kids never get those sort of comments. Now Anna feels the pressure of needing to be amazing at school and feels like that she isn’t this perfect daughter, which, honestly, in Chinese circles and cultures, is so understandable and relatable.
I found that perhaps I could relate to Anna more than a fair number of people, since I suppose I really felt all the cultural stuff and that stuff really struck a lot closer to heart. For others, I think it could be eye opening to the sort of pressure Asian-Australians or Asian-Americans kids may feel sometimes. I’m totally up there with Anna, though I don’t know if I have as much pressure as her, especially since she is nearing the ending of high school and that is quite a struggle for people.
Relatability: All the stars.
The dialogue here was an interesting one, since it was much more free than most books I have read, which threw me off slightly, though I got used to it pretty quickly and I think it felt much more natural coming out of a teenager’s mouth. Hearing things like ‘sooooo’ and the such was really nice for a change instead of really formal sort of stuff, since look, teenagers aren’t really mature people most of the time, like at all. I would know since I am one.
This did end up making the characters feel much more realistic and often, at an important motion in the story, when say, they would open up about something, it did end up being extremely raw. That was a really great part of the book that I also really liked, since it did feel so raw, real and open to me personally, especially since I could already relate to many aspects of the books. This book also does happen to deal with some pretty traumatic issues that I really don’t know much about, but the author managed to also display it in a really upfront and I suppose, realistic way to try and make the reader understand from all standpoints, such as where Anna is coming from when trying to deal with her Mum.
I found the side characters to also be quite well realised people, all with their own quirks and personalities, which was really nice, as often, side characters can be left out and often can be underdeveloped, which can be such a shame, so luckily, they were realised to their full potential here.
Something that irked me slightly was the relationship between Anna and her love interest Rory. While I really liked Rory as a character, he is 20, while Anna is only 16 at the start of the book, which does make her a minor, and I think because of the modern bounds and rules that I am used to, it does happen to be a bit of a weird decision in my opinion as that is sort of not that legal? That being said, I did like Rory as a character and the stuff he had to handle was presented really well by the author.
Overall, I did really end up liking this book, and I found it to be quite relatable and quite realistic. 9/10
February 15, 2022
#3 in the Goodreads NZ Readathon
CW:
Warning: This book will bring on an intense desire to eat dumplings and other delicious Chinese food.
What a gem of a book. I loved the dynamics between the different family members and reading about the customary deferential treatment of parents in Chinese culture. The way the tension built up slowly was quite masterful. As the mother started becoming more erratic I could feel my own anxiety rising as an inevitable breaking point drew closer. I thought the portrayal of the stigma around mental illness was good, and having the Chinese cultural views carefully and respectfully added in brought another layer of depth. The heart-breaking moments were balanced nicely with the warmth I felt at the loving moments between the siblings. I think this is also quite an important book in terms of understanding the pressures faced by young people who have family responsibilities and obligations. These responsibilities are juggled with school, following their own interests/hobbies, building relationships and developing their own sense of identity. Anna is navigating all of this as a Chinese-Australian. This adds a further layer of complexity as her parents maintain that their Chinese values need to be upheld by the family. Anna was an endearing character and I really enjoyed her journey.
A book with incredible heart and depth. I thoroughly recommend it.
CW:
Warning: This book will bring on an intense desire to eat dumplings and other delicious Chinese food.
What a gem of a book. I loved the dynamics between the different family members and reading about the customary deferential treatment of parents in Chinese culture. The way the tension built up slowly was quite masterful. As the mother started becoming more erratic I could feel my own anxiety rising as an inevitable breaking point drew closer. I thought the portrayal of the stigma around mental illness was good, and having the Chinese cultural views carefully and respectfully added in brought another layer of depth. The heart-breaking moments were balanced nicely with the warmth I felt at the loving moments between the siblings. I think this is also quite an important book in terms of understanding the pressures faced by young people who have family responsibilities and obligations. These responsibilities are juggled with school, following their own interests/hobbies, building relationships and developing their own sense of identity. Anna is navigating all of this as a Chinese-Australian. This adds a further layer of complexity as her parents maintain that their Chinese values need to be upheld by the family. Anna was an endearing character and I really enjoyed her journey.
A book with incredible heart and depth. I thoroughly recommend it.
June 6, 2023
quick thoughts:
i adored this! the only thing holding me back from a higher rating was the fact that:
a) the romance was between a 16yo girl in high school and a 20yo man who worked for her father's business
b) how frustratingly obvious this was written by an american author, despite being set in australia with an aussie cast
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: Anna (mc) is Chinese-Australian; Rory (li) has depression; Chinese, queer & neurodiverse scs.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
i adored this! the only thing holding me back from a higher rating was the fact that:
a) the romance was between a 16yo girl in high school and a 20yo man who worked for her father's business
b) how frustratingly obvious this was written by an american author, despite being set in australia with an aussie cast
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: Anna (mc) is Chinese-Australian; Rory (li) has depression; Chinese, queer & neurodiverse scs.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
December 30, 2019
Such a heartwarming, eye-opening story about family, mental illness, the Chinese immigrant experience in Australia, Cantonese culture, and more. There’s also a sweet romance and lots of delicious Chinese food that made me hungry :P
May 18, 2021
This was a dark dark dark book but so realistic and raw. It had such good Chinese representation too.
May 29, 2021
“That’s the thing. Everyone thinks therapy is for when things get too bad, but really we all could use someone to talk to.”
📚 Series? No.
📚 Genre? YA Contemporary.
📚 Read for? StanAsianAuthors
📚 Cliffhanger? No.
⚠ Content Warnings: Bullying. Mental Health. Suicide. Depression. Racism.
⚠ Book Tags : Asian Representation > Chinese. Set in a restaurant.
For a book that I randomly picked to fill in my Stan Asian Authors challenge, what a surprise that I got an amazing one! The Surprising Power of A Good Dumpling was true to its name — it was indeed a delightful surprise. I found a book that touched my heart, made me smile, and yet taught me valuable lessons I'd carry for a long time.
With its attention-catching name and pretty cover, I was expecting something fluffy and light. As I jumped into this blindly, I was caught off-guard by the fact that this will deal with issues a little heavy, and admittedly, not for everyone.
First, this book touched on Asian representation, with a Chinese family immigrating to Australia. I haven't read a lot of books set in Australia, so this was a plus point for my own experience. I also appreciate the way this book showed Chinese culture — food, family dynamics, social class, racism within the Chinese themselves.
Another part I really adored was the romance. I know, I know, this book had a lot of serious themes discussed. But you already know how much I love lines that make me kilig and blush. I loved the meet-cute of our lead Anna and Rory, the way they started a friendship, how their relationship developed, and the type of relationship they ended up having.
Finally, this book shone on mental health — particularly with how Asian people deal with mental illness signs, diagnosis, treatment, and progress. I don't much about other Asian people's experiences, but as a Filipino, I do see the same cluelessness, prejudice, and plain miseducation my fellowmen have with mental health.
Not only that, this book offered a realistic and genuine portrayal of how a mental illness can change the dynamic of a family, how parental problems impact children, and how mental health is something you have to work on for the rest of your life — just like any other disease.
The book didn't give a perfect, shiny, or clean-cut happy ever after. Instead, it ended on an honest yet hopeful note — and I think it was the perfect way to tell and end this story.
☁ FINAL THOUGHTS & RECOMMENDATIONS ☁
Overall, The Surprising Power of A Good Dumpling was a story that moved me by subtly educating me and giving the best feelings one can go through while being submerged in a beautiful story. Definitely something I would recommend for people looking for an Asian read that is honest, real, and raw.
☁ THE CRITERIA ☁
🌼 Synopsis:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Main Character:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Significant Other: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Support Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Writing Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Character Development:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Romance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Ending: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Unputdownability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Book Cover:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
☁FINAL VERDICT: 4.73/5 ☁
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November 12, 2020
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Full review HERE
A delicate exploration of the life of a Chinese family living in Australia.
This book revolves around Anna, her two younger siblings and her parents who are both struggling in their own way. Her father seems to never be home because he constantly has to work, whereas Anna's mother is battling her inner demons. The focus that was put on mental health was very much appreciated, I found it realistic and believable, especially as we see it from the perspective of a young girl who's struggling to understand and to cope with everything that's going on in her home life. I also really liked Anna's growth in the novel, she comes to realize that it's okay to ask for help, it's okay to be vulnerable, and to trust people. I'm also very glad she had Rory by her side during this whole journey, he was such a caring and helpful presence in the story.
I really can't wait to read more by Wai Chim!
Full review HERE
A delicate exploration of the life of a Chinese family living in Australia.
This book revolves around Anna, her two younger siblings and her parents who are both struggling in their own way. Her father seems to never be home because he constantly has to work, whereas Anna's mother is battling her inner demons. The focus that was put on mental health was very much appreciated, I found it realistic and believable, especially as we see it from the perspective of a young girl who's struggling to understand and to cope with everything that's going on in her home life. I also really liked Anna's growth in the novel, she comes to realize that it's okay to ask for help, it's okay to be vulnerable, and to trust people. I'm also very glad she had Rory by her side during this whole journey, he was such a caring and helpful presence in the story.
I really can't wait to read more by Wai Chim!
Want to read
July 25, 2019I for one am NOT surprised at the power of good dumplings because they're freaking magical okay
March 14, 2020
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WoW!
I loved this book! It is one of the few contemporary books that is realistic!! Not everything in life is perfect and this book exposed that.
The characters were beautiful and the culture of the book was delightful.
Highly recommend this book
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WoW!
I loved this book! It is one of the few contemporary books that is realistic!! Not everything in life is perfect and this book exposed that.
The characters were beautiful and the culture of the book was delightful.
Highly recommend this book
February 15, 2022
Not what I was expecting - but still so sweet
February 27, 2020
The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling can do for today's adolescents - especially of Chinese or other eastern Asian descent, as it simultaneously tackles being a Chinese immigrant in Australia - what Saving Francesca did for me when I was young. While the teenage love story was too cheesy for me, I really enjoyed the multi-faceted portrayal of having a mentally ill parent; how it affects the other parent, how it affects siblings differently, how submission becomes a survival strategy, and so on. This opened a still very present wound of mine, and I'm awarding this book an extra star for its ability to do so.
April 3, 2021
Prior to encountering this book I asked my teenage daughter what she thought the most depressing thing to read about was, and her instant answer was “kids whose parents have clinical depression” (my answer was opioid addiction FWIW). Despite my daughter’s assertion and it being the exact topic of this book (well, perhaps bipolar?) Chim infused such abundant hope throughout the story that I couldn’t help but be uplifted. The overarching message of mental illness in a family being “normal” and something to live with and adjust to rather than to be hidden or fixed is a revelation. Oh, and all the food!
Set in Australia in a suburb of Sydney. This was the first time I’ve ever encountered written (romanized) Cantonese (Jyutping I believe???) and had to look up what the numbers were all about.
CW: attempted suicide, psychiatric ward, physical abuse of a child
Set in Australia in a suburb of Sydney. This was the first time I’ve ever encountered written (romanized) Cantonese (Jyutping I believe???) and had to look up what the numbers were all about.
CW: attempted suicide, psychiatric ward, physical abuse of a child
December 30, 2020
There's a lot of good stuff in here amidst several themes that aren't prevalent in YA fiction.
Chinese Australian Anna is trying to be a good daughter and a good big sister while her mother suffers from an unnamed mental illness and her father hides from his paternal duties by running and living in his restaurant a few towns away in order to provide for his family (his rationale).
Anna just wants to be a normal teen but she's ostracized at her private school where she struggles in some of her classes and she feels like she's failing her sister and brother because she's not successfully able to juggle their needs with her needs and her parents' needs.
And then she meets a boy, one who has empathy for her situation.
As one may guess based on the title, there's lots of food talk going on in this story so don't read it while hungry.
The good:
Anna shines in her relationship to her father's restaurant and staff as well as to Chinese cuisine, in general. Again, do not read this while hungry, it will only make you hungrier.
Anna's thirteen-year-old sister Lily is the more compelling character, however. I don't know if it was because she's the middle child but she tried hard to be supportive of both her mother and her older sister, tried to fix things as best as she could, and was often given more responsibility than she should have had. She was the child who was most pressed to succeed academically and her frustration with her older sister, who often left Lily alone to care for their mother and little brother, was showcased well though only superficially resolved.
I appreciated the idea that family is more than biological relations and that you often need the family you create as much, if not more, than the family you're given.
The less-good:
There are a few loose ends that don't get tied up and I was disappointed that nobody mentioned family therapy and group support, especially for the kids, which potentially leaves room for some harmful messages, namely: It's ok to rely on only one person outside of your situation for support (Rory, in this case) and that your cultural norms can and should dictate how you handle caring for ill relatives.
There were so many opportunities to refute these potential messages that never materialized.
And Rory. What was really going on with him, who was he really? Supportive and loving, angry and moody. Sometimes overbearing, sometimes helpful. Was he good for Anna or was he support when she needed support the most? I suppose that's up to the reader to decide but I left feeling pretty unsure about him.
Still, this is a solid story about young people coping with parental illness, family obligation, the desire to fit in, and food.
3.5 stars
Chinese Australian Anna is trying to be a good daughter and a good big sister while her mother suffers from an unnamed mental illness and her father hides from his paternal duties by running and living in his restaurant a few towns away in order to provide for his family (his rationale).
Anna just wants to be a normal teen but she's ostracized at her private school where she struggles in some of her classes and she feels like she's failing her sister and brother because she's not successfully able to juggle their needs with her needs and her parents' needs.
And then she meets a boy, one who has empathy for her situation.
As one may guess based on the title, there's lots of food talk going on in this story so don't read it while hungry.
The good:
Anna shines in her relationship to her father's restaurant and staff as well as to Chinese cuisine, in general. Again, do not read this while hungry, it will only make you hungrier.
Anna's thirteen-year-old sister Lily is the more compelling character, however. I don't know if it was because she's the middle child but she tried hard to be supportive of both her mother and her older sister, tried to fix things as best as she could, and was often given more responsibility than she should have had. She was the child who was most pressed to succeed academically and her frustration with her older sister, who often left Lily alone to care for their mother and little brother, was showcased well though only superficially resolved.
I appreciated the idea that family is more than biological relations and that you often need the family you create as much, if not more, than the family you're given.
The less-good:
There are a few loose ends that don't get tied up and I was disappointed that nobody mentioned family therapy and group support, especially for the kids, which potentially leaves room for some harmful messages, namely: It's ok to rely on only one person outside of your situation for support (Rory, in this case) and that your cultural norms can and should dictate how you handle caring for ill relatives.
There were so many opportunities to refute these potential messages that never materialized.
And Rory. What was really going on with him, who was he really? Supportive and loving, angry and moody. Sometimes overbearing, sometimes helpful. Was he good for Anna or was he support when she needed support the most? I suppose that's up to the reader to decide but I left feeling pretty unsure about him.
Still, this is a solid story about young people coping with parental illness, family obligation, the desire to fit in, and food.
3.5 stars
August 20, 2019
A late night decision to start this book and keep reading was probably one of the smartest decisions I made. This wonderful story really touched my heart. A book that explores cultural clashes in the western world, bullying, racism and mental illness - a concept that many still do not fully understand and still holds cultural stigmas today. Wai did a fantastic job in capturing this from different angles - a family member watching another family member suffer from it, a friend who is listening to another recovering from it and being subjected to ridicule and the person who is suffering from mental illness. This important concept was captured and weaved it into a touching YA story of unconditional love and real teen issues that made me cry, laugh and feel hope. There were times I even found it frightening and confronting. This was written very well, it was very realistic and a story that will probably resonate with me for some time. I was able to connect with Anna, Lily and even little Michael. I could understand why each character behaved the way they did throughout the book and I was also able to relate to some of the cultural expectations Anna was subjected to like how do you say what you really feel to your parents and still be their loving, dutiful daughter? No doubt on some level, everyone who reads this story will find a connection either with the themes explored or the characters we meet - side note - I love Rory.. This is such a great book, please read it when it’s out. Special thanks to Allen & Unwin Publishers for providing me with a finished review copy of this book.
August 17, 2019
TOTAL READING TIME: 3 hours, 46 minutes.
Even though I knew going in that this book is about what it's like to have a loved one with mental illness, I did not expect it to be so heavy--to the point that I couldn't read this book for more than 45 minutes at a time.
This book brought me to tears. It explored the intersections between class, culture, immigration, family dynamics in the context of Chinese culture, and mental illness; and how eldest daughters receive the brunt of responsibility within Asian, specifically Chinese households, and it did so through beautiful writing and a relatable protagonist. One thing I did notice though was that this book wasn't about race in the context of being East Asian within White Australia--while racism is mentioned a couple of times, it is not the central theme of the book; rather, this focuses more on how Chinese people interact within their culture when class is involved. There is only one white character in the book which goes to show that this book wasn't highlighting the racism of white Australians more than it was about Chinese culture.
My only gripe though is how in Chapter 9, Rory, Anna's white love interest, says something racist, which of course Anna understandably takes offense to. Rory apologizes and then informs Anna that what he did was a microaggression. This scene simply baffled me. If Rory had the knowledge that saying things like "I don't go to that suburb because it's too ethnic," is a racist microaggression, why would he do it? It's understood that well-meaning people perform microagressions because they are ignorant and don't know what is and isn't right to say or do, so why would he do it despite knowing what it is and that it's bad? What made this even more confusing was that Anna didn't even know what a microaggression was, and Rory had to explain it to her. So this scene was basically an older white guy apologizing for saying something racist, and then educating his younger Asian love interest about how what he said was racist... instead of the other way around. Which made very little sense to me.
But I digress.
I remember loving Wai Chim's Freedom Swimmer that I was so excited when I found out she was writing another book. While I still liked Freedom Swimmer more, Dumpling definitely did not disappoint.
Even though I knew going in that this book is about what it's like to have a loved one with mental illness, I did not expect it to be so heavy--to the point that I couldn't read this book for more than 45 minutes at a time.
This book brought me to tears. It explored the intersections between class, culture, immigration, family dynamics in the context of Chinese culture, and mental illness; and how eldest daughters receive the brunt of responsibility within Asian, specifically Chinese households, and it did so through beautiful writing and a relatable protagonist. One thing I did notice though was that this book wasn't about race in the context of being East Asian within White Australia--while racism is mentioned a couple of times, it is not the central theme of the book; rather, this focuses more on how Chinese people interact within their culture when class is involved. There is only one white character in the book which goes to show that this book wasn't highlighting the racism of white Australians more than it was about Chinese culture.
My only gripe though is how in Chapter 9, Rory, Anna's white love interest, says something racist, which of course Anna understandably takes offense to. Rory apologizes and then informs Anna that what he did was a microaggression. This scene simply baffled me. If Rory had the knowledge that saying things like "I don't go to that suburb because it's too ethnic," is a racist microaggression, why would he do it? It's understood that well-meaning people perform microagressions because they are ignorant and don't know what is and isn't right to say or do, so why would he do it despite knowing what it is and that it's bad? What made this even more confusing was that Anna didn't even know what a microaggression was, and Rory had to explain it to her. So this scene was basically an older white guy apologizing for saying something racist, and then educating his younger Asian love interest about how what he said was racist... instead of the other way around. Which made very little sense to me.
But I digress.
I remember loving Wai Chim's Freedom Swimmer that I was so excited when I found out she was writing another book. While I still liked Freedom Swimmer more, Dumpling definitely did not disappoint.
January 5, 2020
5/5 ⭐ absolutely loved it. Amazing read, binged it in a day and a half and didn't want to put it down. A must read, full review HERE..
December 4, 2020
Find me elsewhere:
blog || instagram || twitter
First of all, lets all just admire the very catchy title and cute cover of this book. I really had high expectations from this novel, I'm not going to lie. And although it DID deliver, I have some minor issues that kept me from REALLY loving it as a whole.
Our story focuses on Anna and her family who manages a Chinese restaurant at Sydney, Australia. Anna has A LOT on her plate, with an important essay that she needs to re-write, a father that she wants to help, siblings that she need to take care of and a mother who she's trying to understand better. It's overwhelming. While reading, I often have to put the book down because not only do I feel so bad for Anna, it can be so frustrating to read.
The book tackles mental health and as a reader who is not unfamiliar with mental illness and has a personal experience regarding it, I am always wary about how it can be portrayed through media. I can say that Wai Chim really wrote authentic characters that are unaware about mental health issues. The thing is, it hurts to read it sometimes. The way they unconsciously ignore and passively dismiss signs and symptoms. However, its important to remember that this is real. This happens in real world and people such as Anna and her father and especially her mother, exists. I love how realistic everything was. The struggle of Anna and her internal thoughts towards whats happening around her. There are some times that I want to shake her and knock some sense into her but I just had to wait and see her character development unfold in front of me.
I really adore Wai Chim's writing. Its very simple and readable and most of all, relatable. Anna as an asian rep was absolutely refreshing, I love that she points out her flaws and that she is open to correct them and learn from people around her such as Rory. As an Asian myself, it was so fun to read things that I related so much whether its regarding asian food or customs and painful at times when it comes to internalized racism and micro-aggressions. But Wai Chim was able to pen all of these in a relatable and non condescending way.
Now, unfortunately though Anna is the only character that I kinda connected with. Although I think that her father was also realistically written, I really wished that there was more depth. Especially with Anna's mother. I wasn't a huge fan of the romance aspect as well. Its something that I think will not affect the book whether its there or not.
Overall, I would still recommend The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling for every reader out there. Mental illness has always been a tough subject in asian households and its amazing that we have books such as this to read about it.
blog || instagram || twitter
First of all, lets all just admire the very catchy title and cute cover of this book. I really had high expectations from this novel, I'm not going to lie. And although it DID deliver, I have some minor issues that kept me from REALLY loving it as a whole.
Our story focuses on Anna and her family who manages a Chinese restaurant at Sydney, Australia. Anna has A LOT on her plate, with an important essay that she needs to re-write, a father that she wants to help, siblings that she need to take care of and a mother who she's trying to understand better. It's overwhelming. While reading, I often have to put the book down because not only do I feel so bad for Anna, it can be so frustrating to read.
The book tackles mental health and as a reader who is not unfamiliar with mental illness and has a personal experience regarding it, I am always wary about how it can be portrayed through media. I can say that Wai Chim really wrote authentic characters that are unaware about mental health issues. The thing is, it hurts to read it sometimes. The way they unconsciously ignore and passively dismiss signs and symptoms. However, its important to remember that this is real. This happens in real world and people such as Anna and her father and especially her mother, exists. I love how realistic everything was. The struggle of Anna and her internal thoughts towards whats happening around her. There are some times that I want to shake her and knock some sense into her but I just had to wait and see her character development unfold in front of me.
I really adore Wai Chim's writing. Its very simple and readable and most of all, relatable. Anna as an asian rep was absolutely refreshing, I love that she points out her flaws and that she is open to correct them and learn from people around her such as Rory. As an Asian myself, it was so fun to read things that I related so much whether its regarding asian food or customs and painful at times when it comes to internalized racism and micro-aggressions. But Wai Chim was able to pen all of these in a relatable and non condescending way.
Now, unfortunately though Anna is the only character that I kinda connected with. Although I think that her father was also realistically written, I really wished that there was more depth. Especially with Anna's mother. I wasn't a huge fan of the romance aspect as well. Its something that I think will not affect the book whether its there or not.
Overall, I would still recommend The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling for every reader out there. Mental illness has always been a tough subject in asian households and its amazing that we have books such as this to read about it.
April 1, 2020
I read this in a single sitting!! I started at around 21:30 last night and finished at 00:45 and my heart was just sooo Full 🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟
Mostly, I love it because it feels so true to my immigrant family. There were so many instances that I was just 'yes, that's so true!' & 'that is just how it is in my Chinese family too!'. The author herself would have gone through a very similar experiences noting her background, being Chinese American. Though we are proudly claiming her as an Aussie these days ;)
While I find the family life to be very realistic, I cannot comment on how realistic the mental health issues themselves seeing as I've no personal experiences myself. However, I do believe author has got her point across. There's no big or small problems in mental health; it's important to be honest with oneself & others and to seek help at any point in time.
I love this family and while they have their issues, their love for each other was clear especially between the siblings. It is rather funny how you really do need to read between lines for the parent & child in expressing their feelings because it's just not the done thing, you know.
And the romance... oh, so sweet. I'm all a-puddle 💞
The Surprising Power of a Good Dumping is a very easy read language-wise. My identifying with the protagonist is unusually high and therefore, my utter adoration of this book. Even as I wish that I had something like this as I was growing up, I am thankful that we have this now. Everyone, READ this! Then go have dumplings (remember, takeaway only at this time of social distancing).
Mostly, I love it because it feels so true to my immigrant family. There were so many instances that I was just 'yes, that's so true!' & 'that is just how it is in my Chinese family too!'. The author herself would have gone through a very similar experiences noting her background, being Chinese American. Though we are proudly claiming her as an Aussie these days ;)
While I find the family life to be very realistic, I cannot comment on how realistic the mental health issues themselves seeing as I've no personal experiences myself. However, I do believe author has got her point across. There's no big or small problems in mental health; it's important to be honest with oneself & others and to seek help at any point in time.
I love this family and while they have their issues, their love for each other was clear especially between the siblings. It is rather funny how you really do need to read between lines for the parent & child in expressing their feelings because it's just not the done thing, you know.
And the romance... oh, so sweet. I'm all a-puddle 💞
The Surprising Power of a Good Dumping is a very easy read language-wise. My identifying with the protagonist is unusually high and therefore, my utter adoration of this book. Even as I wish that I had something like this as I was growing up, I am thankful that we have this now. Everyone, READ this! Then go have dumplings (remember, takeaway only at this time of social distancing).
November 28, 2020
This book features so many important discussions when it comes to its exploration of mental illness in relation to Asian culture, the Chinese immigrant experience in Australia, academic pressure, living with a parent with mental illness, parental expectations, complex family relationships and more.
Whilst the writing style itself and some of the ways mental illness was represented led me to giving it a (solid and positive) three stars, I appreciate the importance and necessity of this book and have no doubt this will be an incredibly important and powerful read for many readers.
TW: depression, discussion of suicide and suicide attempt, ableism, ableist slurs, parental emotional & physical abuse, racism.
Whilst the writing style itself and some of the ways mental illness was represented led me to giving it a (solid and positive) three stars, I appreciate the importance and necessity of this book and have no doubt this will be an incredibly important and powerful read for many readers.
TW: depression, discussion of suicide and suicide attempt, ableism, ableist slurs, parental emotional & physical abuse, racism.
December 18, 2024
Sixteen-year-old Anna Chiu yearns to be a ‘normal’ Asian-Australian: with a normal school life, normal friends, normal everything. But Anna’s mother’s mental illness makes things very difficult for Anna, her younger sister Lily, their little brother Michael, and for their father, who owns a restaurant where Anna sometimes works when she’s allowed to—and when she can, because when her mother suddenly confines herself to her own room for weeks on end, Anna is obliged to step in and keep home, be foster mother…
I liked this book a lot. I had read the blurb, so knew that mental health was an important theme here, but hadn’t expected it to be so well handled. Wai Chim presents a balanced, mostly nuanced, view of mental illness, as seen from the perspective of someone who must see a parent dealing with it. What demons Anna must face; how others treat her and her family because of her mother’s behaviour; how the world looks at mental illness. How the family itself copes, or tries to cope. Or pretends it doesn’t exist, in the hope that it will get well on its own. The highs and lows of treatment, the insecurities, the doubts: all of these come through beautifully, in a very real sort of way that made an impression.
Anna makes for a relatable heroine, and there are several other characters—Lily, Rory, and Anna’s father in particular—who come across as believable, three-dimensional characters. The writing is fluid, the dawning sense of belonging, of love (both familial and otherwise) and mutual support touching.
A very satisfying read. I only wish there had been more about the dumplings!
(S0mewhat longer and more detailed review at my blog, here: https://madhulikareads.wordpress.com/...)
I liked this book a lot. I had read the blurb, so knew that mental health was an important theme here, but hadn’t expected it to be so well handled. Wai Chim presents a balanced, mostly nuanced, view of mental illness, as seen from the perspective of someone who must see a parent dealing with it. What demons Anna must face; how others treat her and her family because of her mother’s behaviour; how the world looks at mental illness. How the family itself copes, or tries to cope. Or pretends it doesn’t exist, in the hope that it will get well on its own. The highs and lows of treatment, the insecurities, the doubts: all of these come through beautifully, in a very real sort of way that made an impression.
Anna makes for a relatable heroine, and there are several other characters—Lily, Rory, and Anna’s father in particular—who come across as believable, three-dimensional characters. The writing is fluid, the dawning sense of belonging, of love (both familial and otherwise) and mutual support touching.
A very satisfying read. I only wish there had been more about the dumplings!
(S0mewhat longer and more detailed review at my blog, here: https://madhulikareads.wordpress.com/...)
November 15, 2020
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Scholastic Press - in exchange for an honest review ]
"The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling" is an eye-opening story about mental illness, culture, love and family. Anna Chiu is a mature-beyond-her-age girl who cares for her mentally-ill mother and younger siblings while her father is busy running a restaurant. Other than the family struggles, Anna suffers microaggressions/racism and only desires to have a "normal" life.
I felt so familiar reading about the Chinese (Cantonese) culture - the mention of tiger mom, classic piano training, common practice to discipline, parental expectations... I was nodding at the Cantonese/Chinese saying and feeling nostalgic about the delicious Chinese food. The story focuses on the Chinese immigrant's experience in Australia and even though it occurs in a different country from mine, several experiences were very relatable.
I really appreciated the way Chim smartly explores the subject of mental illness - how the family dynamic is deeply affected and sometimes with its emotionally abusive moments; the responsibility of the caregiver apart from the trust issue due to emotional burden; one's erratic and unstable behavior while also "pretending" to be a victim... it is definitely a delicate theme which Chim gives us an insightful look, also highlighting the importance of support and proper treatment (especially in a culture which mental illness is considered "taboo").
Despite the poignant tone, Chim celebrates with uncomplicated honest conversations glimpses of sweet romance, undeniable family bond and hope. It was also interesting to dive into the craziness in a daily routine of a restaurant and the sacrifices needed to operate it.
With a balance of relevant topics and fast-paced read, "The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling" is a YA novel that I would recommend for readers of all age wanting to know more about mental health in a delightful narrative.
"The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling" is an eye-opening story about mental illness, culture, love and family. Anna Chiu is a mature-beyond-her-age girl who cares for her mentally-ill mother and younger siblings while her father is busy running a restaurant. Other than the family struggles, Anna suffers microaggressions/racism and only desires to have a "normal" life.
I felt so familiar reading about the Chinese (Cantonese) culture - the mention of tiger mom, classic piano training, common practice to discipline, parental expectations... I was nodding at the Cantonese/Chinese saying and feeling nostalgic about the delicious Chinese food. The story focuses on the Chinese immigrant's experience in Australia and even though it occurs in a different country from mine, several experiences were very relatable.
I really appreciated the way Chim smartly explores the subject of mental illness - how the family dynamic is deeply affected and sometimes with its emotionally abusive moments; the responsibility of the caregiver apart from the trust issue due to emotional burden; one's erratic and unstable behavior while also "pretending" to be a victim... it is definitely a delicate theme which Chim gives us an insightful look, also highlighting the importance of support and proper treatment (especially in a culture which mental illness is considered "taboo").
Despite the poignant tone, Chim celebrates with uncomplicated honest conversations glimpses of sweet romance, undeniable family bond and hope. It was also interesting to dive into the craziness in a daily routine of a restaurant and the sacrifices needed to operate it.
With a balance of relevant topics and fast-paced read, "The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling" is a YA novel that I would recommend for readers of all age wanting to know more about mental health in a delightful narrative.
March 30, 2020
I got this gorgeous copy of THE SURPRISING POWER OF A GOOD DUMPLING in the #authorsforfireys auction back in January (how long ago this seems now!). Author Wai Chim had generously donated hand painted copies to raise money for victims of the terrible bushfires in NSW and Victoria. .
With a title like this, I was hoping for a feel good book that would take me on a journey. Who doesn't love a good dumpling? And I was right: the story is fresh and warm and life affirming, whilst still tackling important issues like mental health and culture. Anna, the main protagonist, is a sixteen year old girl from a Chinese immigrant family who is trying to look after her siblings and hold her family together as her mother stays in bed most days, afflicted by an undiagnosed mental illness.
I loved Anna, who is warm and caring whilst trying to navigate her way in the world like any other teenager. Her voice was fresh and authentic and easy to relate to, even though I don’t often read YA. I really appreciate books that can balance a feel good vibe with an important message, and this one did just that. The book got me out of a terrible reading slump and I am so happy I read it!
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
With a title like this, I was hoping for a feel good book that would take me on a journey. Who doesn't love a good dumpling? And I was right: the story is fresh and warm and life affirming, whilst still tackling important issues like mental health and culture. Anna, the main protagonist, is a sixteen year old girl from a Chinese immigrant family who is trying to look after her siblings and hold her family together as her mother stays in bed most days, afflicted by an undiagnosed mental illness.
I loved Anna, who is warm and caring whilst trying to navigate her way in the world like any other teenager. Her voice was fresh and authentic and easy to relate to, even though I don’t often read YA. I really appreciate books that can balance a feel good vibe with an important message, and this one did just that. The book got me out of a terrible reading slump and I am so happy I read it!
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
December 31, 2020
My last book of the year and I HATED IT. The only reason it gets 2 instead of 1 star is because I can appreciate what it was *trying* to do. But it didn't do it well.
1. Anna has no personality, no ambition until the end, no passions or hobbies. Her sister is studious and into drama, her brother is insightful and into art, Anna is a complete wet noodle. Why is Rory into her at all??
2. Why is the audiobook read by an American, when the story is about Chinese expats in Australia? Totally weird.
3. This book has no subtlety at all, it smacks you in the face like a brick with every little theme and moral.
4. People just don't talk like the dialogue in this book. Very "I thought of this argument in the shower, that'll show them!"
5. Let's just throw in a dumb white boyfriend, a catty mean girl, a sympathetic ex best friend for good measure.
6. There is no relationship development between Rory and Anna whatsoever. Cute troubled boy + ~doesn't know how special she is~ girl = romance is DUMB.
Terrible book with SO MUCH potential. Skip it.
1. Anna has no personality, no ambition until the end, no passions or hobbies. Her sister is studious and into drama, her brother is insightful and into art, Anna is a complete wet noodle. Why is Rory into her at all??
2. Why is the audiobook read by an American, when the story is about Chinese expats in Australia? Totally weird.
3. This book has no subtlety at all, it smacks you in the face like a brick with every little theme and moral.
4. People just don't talk like the dialogue in this book. Very "I thought of this argument in the shower, that'll show them!"
5. Let's just throw in a dumb white boyfriend, a catty mean girl, a sympathetic ex best friend for good measure.
6. There is no relationship development between Rory and Anna whatsoever. Cute troubled boy + ~doesn't know how special she is~ girl = romance is DUMB.
Terrible book with SO MUCH potential. Skip it.
Want to read
October 14, 2020It is crazy because my cousin and I were just talking last mouth about how we needed a book that touched on the stigma associated with mental health in Asian cultures. We even discussed how she should write one based on her personal experience with her mother. Lo and behold this appears across my Instagram feed. Honestly, I cannot wait to check it out and see if it's everything I've been waiting for.
Sidenote: I'm disappointed the U.S. Publisher decided to change the cover because I really like this Australian one
Sidenote: I'm disappointed the U.S. Publisher decided to change the cover because I really like this Australian one
November 16, 2020
i received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. all opinions below are my own.
representation: hong kong chinese australian main character, queer side characters, depression
trigger warnings: depression, delusions, suicide attempt, racism
the surprising power of a good dumpling was a touching and meaningful story which touched upon heavier topics like mental illness but at the same time gave me the warmest feelings ❤
"i’ll never cease to be amazed by the surprising power of a good dumpling."
i first came cross the book on cw’s book blog, the quiet pond. she called it “perhaps the best book about mental illness, asian identity, and family” that she’s read – ever. as expected, dumpling was just as incredible as cw described it to be, and although it’s only been a day since i’ve finished reading the book, i already know it’s one of those stories that will continue to stay with me for many years to come.
as a local hong kong kid, growing up was much easier for me as compared to the main character anna. i could, however, relate to her experiences with feeling like she didn’t belonged, and the struggles with her identity and microaggressions – whenever i traveled, people would took one look at my face and assumed mandarin was my native language, and that always made me feel out of place. on top of that, one of my favorite things about the book was the representation of cantonese culture – i particularly loved the inclusion of cantonese jyutping and how perfectly it captures anna’s family relationship dynamics! these little bits and pieces meant the world to me, and i am sure that it will be just as meaningful for other chinese readers, especially diaspora readers ❤ (please check out these #ownvoices chinese australian reviews: karen’s review, zitong’s review)
speaking of anna’s family, i absolutely how the raw and realistic way in which author portrayed the love-hate relationship between anna and her younger sister. their eye-rolls and little jabs at each other were balanced out by hugs and words of comfort. also, it’s evident how much anna cares for her family, helping at at her father’s restaurant despite struggling with her studies and taking care of her younger siblings when her mother is unwell. she is the kind of person who always puts the needs of others before her own, and i really admired her sense of responsibility and selflessness.
the mental illness taboo in chinese culture was also depicted really well. among chinese people, it is common for only physical health to be considered under the broader concept of “health”, and mental health is often overlooked. it’s comforting to see anna and her family, at first reluctant to discuss her mother’s mental health problems and erratic behaviour, slowly gain the strength to talk about them more openly. moreover, the author does not skip over the more “difficult” parts of mental illness.
there are so many more things to love about the book: the wong kar wai movie references! the cantonese profanities! jit6 hei3! the cute romance! the surprising power of a good dumpling is equal parts raw, heartwarming, and important. it’s now available in the usa – make sure to grab a copy and indulge in all the literary dumplings!
(this review was originally posted on my blog.)
representation: hong kong chinese australian main character, queer side characters, depression
trigger warnings: depression, delusions, suicide attempt, racism
the surprising power of a good dumpling was a touching and meaningful story which touched upon heavier topics like mental illness but at the same time gave me the warmest feelings ❤
"i’ll never cease to be amazed by the surprising power of a good dumpling."
i first came cross the book on cw’s book blog, the quiet pond. she called it “perhaps the best book about mental illness, asian identity, and family” that she’s read – ever. as expected, dumpling was just as incredible as cw described it to be, and although it’s only been a day since i’ve finished reading the book, i already know it’s one of those stories that will continue to stay with me for many years to come.
as a local hong kong kid, growing up was much easier for me as compared to the main character anna. i could, however, relate to her experiences with feeling like she didn’t belonged, and the struggles with her identity and microaggressions – whenever i traveled, people would took one look at my face and assumed mandarin was my native language, and that always made me feel out of place. on top of that, one of my favorite things about the book was the representation of cantonese culture – i particularly loved the inclusion of cantonese jyutping and how perfectly it captures anna’s family relationship dynamics! these little bits and pieces meant the world to me, and i am sure that it will be just as meaningful for other chinese readers, especially diaspora readers ❤ (please check out these #ownvoices chinese australian reviews: karen’s review, zitong’s review)
speaking of anna’s family, i absolutely how the raw and realistic way in which author portrayed the love-hate relationship between anna and her younger sister. their eye-rolls and little jabs at each other were balanced out by hugs and words of comfort. also, it’s evident how much anna cares for her family, helping at at her father’s restaurant despite struggling with her studies and taking care of her younger siblings when her mother is unwell. she is the kind of person who always puts the needs of others before her own, and i really admired her sense of responsibility and selflessness.
the mental illness taboo in chinese culture was also depicted really well. among chinese people, it is common for only physical health to be considered under the broader concept of “health”, and mental health is often overlooked. it’s comforting to see anna and her family, at first reluctant to discuss her mother’s mental health problems and erratic behaviour, slowly gain the strength to talk about them more openly. moreover, the author does not skip over the more “difficult” parts of mental illness.
there are so many more things to love about the book: the wong kar wai movie references! the cantonese profanities! jit6 hei3! the cute romance! the surprising power of a good dumpling is equal parts raw, heartwarming, and important. it’s now available in the usa – make sure to grab a copy and indulge in all the literary dumplings!
(this review was originally posted on my blog.)
October 26, 2021
'Love infused in every page?' Sorry but this is the most ridiculous fake promo. This book is the definition of pain and frustration. It discusses mental health in immigrant households and has one of the most interesting, authentic, and heartfelt family dynamics I've read in awhile.
However this book also made me feel very uneasy several times. I really wish her parents' perspectives are explored more. Yes I know this is YA and the main character is a teenager, so the focus will be the teen's experience with mentally ill parents, how her mum's mood and her dad's neglect affected her. But this whole book gives me those 'Chinese older generations suck', 'why aren't my parents white (aka=normal)' vibes. Almost all Chinese first generation immigrants in this book were portrayed as 'abnormal'. But what are they experiencing? What were the factors that led to their conditions? How do they fit in the western healthcare system and society? These questions were unfortunately only very briefly discussed. So what's the point of this book? Showing how all first gen immigrants are mentally ill (?) and how their children are suffering because of them? The author did a fantastic job addressing the second issue (no I'm not being sarcastic, it really was great), but the first point, or rather the portrayal of first generation Chinese immigrants was very questionable and generalized.
(the teen defending her mum about domestic violence)
'She said it's common practice in Chinese culture to discipline children this way.'
Uhmm...what...?
I think for a book that discusses about growing up in a dysfunctional family this book did a great job, but not on the part about discussing mental health in Chinese households. There's just too little focus first generation immigrants (while they're the 'villains' that cause the children's sufferings!), and this book didn't clear things up? While this book successfully made them seem crazy and pitiful, it didn't really address their situation and the problem, which is so extremely frustrating as this book addresses a very important topic and has so much potential. But when I finished the book my only thought was: 'This is it?'
Not to mention the white boy that taught the MC what microaggressions are and 'enlightened' her about mental health issues........... I cringed.hard. Filial piety is also very demonized and only used in a negative way. Of course this is the kind of portrayal of growing up in a minority household that will get published and even get you a literary prize. I guess seeing loving Asian parents is too much to ask in Western literature...:///
However this book also made me feel very uneasy several times. I really wish her parents' perspectives are explored more. Yes I know this is YA and the main character is a teenager, so the focus will be the teen's experience with mentally ill parents, how her mum's mood and her dad's neglect affected her. But this whole book gives me those 'Chinese older generations suck', 'why aren't my parents white (aka=normal)' vibes. Almost all Chinese first generation immigrants in this book were portrayed as 'abnormal'. But what are they experiencing? What were the factors that led to their conditions? How do they fit in the western healthcare system and society? These questions were unfortunately only very briefly discussed. So what's the point of this book? Showing how all first gen immigrants are mentally ill (?) and how their children are suffering because of them? The author did a fantastic job addressing the second issue (no I'm not being sarcastic, it really was great), but the first point, or rather the portrayal of first generation Chinese immigrants was very questionable and generalized.
(the teen defending her mum about domestic violence)
'She said it's common practice in Chinese culture to discipline children this way.'
Uhmm...what...?
I think for a book that discusses about growing up in a dysfunctional family this book did a great job, but not on the part about discussing mental health in Chinese households. There's just too little focus first generation immigrants (while they're the 'villains' that cause the children's sufferings!), and this book didn't clear things up? While this book successfully made them seem crazy and pitiful, it didn't really address their situation and the problem, which is so extremely frustrating as this book addresses a very important topic and has so much potential. But when I finished the book my only thought was: 'This is it?'
Not to mention the white boy that taught the MC what microaggressions are and 'enlightened' her about mental health issues........... I cringed.hard. Filial piety is also very demonized and only used in a negative way. Of course this is the kind of portrayal of growing up in a minority household that will get published and even get you a literary prize. I guess seeing loving Asian parents is too much to ask in Western literature...:///
February 15, 2020
This book caught my eye (seriously, how could I ignore that gorgeous cover), but I rushed to read it after learning I had the opportunity to meet the author. The Surprising Power of A Good Dumpling celebrates the harsh complexity of family relationships, the love and hurt shared and the determination it takes to carry on. It celebrates community and friendship, the bond between sisters, and food. This book will have you hungry, so I highly recommend you have snacks on hand. It’s a bittersweet read, and one that is as authentic as it is honest and caring.
Anna Chiu cares for her family while her mother can’t bring herself to get out of bed and her father never comes home from working at their family restaurant. It is up to Anna to make sure her little brother gets to school and her sister knows to keep quiet about what happens at home. But the chance to work with her father at the restaurant means she can finally share the cooking skills and ideas she has and gives her the opportunity to get to know the new delivery boy, Rory. But when her mother does get out of bed, things spiral into manic midnight cleaning and angry tirades that Anna feels powerless to control.
This book doesn’t shy away from the authentic, messy details of real life, mental illness or it’s effect on families. It is honest and hopeful. It’s also not an easy book to read, despite it being so readable. It is challenging in parts, confronting and sad in others. But it doesn’t judge. It leaves room for understanding and acceptance.
Identity and culture and the hidden racism we don’t even think to consider are all examined in this book. How that impacts on how we view and deal with mental health is also considered. As Anna works at the restaurant and gets to know Rory, as Rory shares his history of depression, as she learns more about her parents’ relationship, she gets a better idea of what her mother is experiencing, the help that is available and the community that can support her. She must care for her siblings as well as for herself.
The Surprising Power of A Good Dumpling is a moving story and an important voice in Australian YA fiction about culture and mental health.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
Anna Chiu cares for her family while her mother can’t bring herself to get out of bed and her father never comes home from working at their family restaurant. It is up to Anna to make sure her little brother gets to school and her sister knows to keep quiet about what happens at home. But the chance to work with her father at the restaurant means she can finally share the cooking skills and ideas she has and gives her the opportunity to get to know the new delivery boy, Rory. But when her mother does get out of bed, things spiral into manic midnight cleaning and angry tirades that Anna feels powerless to control.
This book doesn’t shy away from the authentic, messy details of real life, mental illness or it’s effect on families. It is honest and hopeful. It’s also not an easy book to read, despite it being so readable. It is challenging in parts, confronting and sad in others. But it doesn’t judge. It leaves room for understanding and acceptance.
Identity and culture and the hidden racism we don’t even think to consider are all examined in this book. How that impacts on how we view and deal with mental health is also considered. As Anna works at the restaurant and gets to know Rory, as Rory shares his history of depression, as she learns more about her parents’ relationship, she gets a better idea of what her mother is experiencing, the help that is available and the community that can support her. She must care for her siblings as well as for herself.
The Surprising Power of A Good Dumpling is a moving story and an important voice in Australian YA fiction about culture and mental health.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
October 15, 2021
Read this for the second time and I can’t believe I love it even more despite having known all the plot and ending.
Down-to-earth novel addressing the tough and under-discussed topic of mental health without losing its hopeful vibe. The book touches on social stigma, common misconceptions, and the silent struggles that people with mental illness and their beloveds have to endure.
Mental illness is still considered to be a taboo, especially in Asian cultures. Thus, the author did a great job portraying how the main character and her Asian-immigrant family change from being in denial and avoiding seeking professional help to confronting mental illness as a family. The author also added a much-needed layer of cultural elements, showing how confronting mental illness can be really complicated when Asian cultural elements are involved.
Overall, a relatable book for those who have been a) struggling with mental issues themselves, and/or b) having family members/friends struggling with them. The book also touches on several other topics, including the complex identity of young Asians who grow up in Western countries, and the cliché "follow-your-own-path"moral of the story.
The only thing I don’t like about this book is that it is advertiser under romance/YA genre when it is so much more than that.
Down-to-earth novel addressing the tough and under-discussed topic of mental health without losing its hopeful vibe. The book touches on social stigma, common misconceptions, and the silent struggles that people with mental illness and their beloveds have to endure.
Mental illness is still considered to be a taboo, especially in Asian cultures. Thus, the author did a great job portraying how the main character and her Asian-immigrant family change from being in denial and avoiding seeking professional help to confronting mental illness as a family. The author also added a much-needed layer of cultural elements, showing how confronting mental illness can be really complicated when Asian cultural elements are involved.
Overall, a relatable book for those who have been a) struggling with mental issues themselves, and/or b) having family members/friends struggling with them. The book also touches on several other topics, including the complex identity of young Asians who grow up in Western countries, and the cliché "follow-your-own-path"moral of the story.
The only thing I don’t like about this book is that it is advertiser under romance/YA genre when it is so much more than that.
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