Ugly Dumpling: A Memoir

by Elaine Hsieh Yu

For readers of Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang and The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, an Asian American coming-of-age story about growing up in poverty with a mother living with mental health issues, and about the redemptive power of love.

When Elaine Hsieh Yu arrives in Hawai‘i from Hong Kong at the age of four, her family’s hopes for stability quickly unravel. Her father, rigid and demanding, drifts in and out of her life. Her mother, loving but volatile, is at times neglectful. From an early age, Elaine understands that adults are not always able to protect or provide.

Ugly Dumpling follows Elaine’s journey from growing up poor, Asian, and largely invisible in Honolulu and East Los Angeles to raising her children in Silicon Valley. She shares vivid memories of family, survival, and love, tracing a childhood shaped by public assistance and undiagnosed illness into an adult life spent trying to give her children everything she never had.

Honest, emotional, and at times funny, Elaine’s story touches on relationships across three generations, revealing how the past shapes us but doesn’t have to define us, and how the unexpected paths and broken pieces can become something whole and beautiful.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Asian American, Mental Health, Coming Of Age, Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 16, 2027

About the author

Elaine Hsieh Yu was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Hawaiʻi and Southern California. She went on to build a career in Silicon Valley after graduating from Stanford University with degrees in Electrical Engineering. She wrote her debut memoir, Ugly Dumpling, to shine a light on mental health and intergenerational healing within Asian American families. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, where they raised their two children, while continuing to care for her elderly mother. As an empty nester, she devotes her time outside her tech job at Apple to writing, keeping her houseplants alive, and socializing with friends, sometimes talking and laughing a little too loudly.

Reviews

[Caz]

Ugly Dumpling is a very honest and personal memoir, covering family, poverty, immigration, mental health, identity and growing up between different cultures. Elaine shares her journey from being a child whose family moved from Hong Kong to Hawai‘i, through a difficult childhood and complicated family relationships, and into her adult life.

What stood out to me most was how open Elaine is about her past. There are some really tough parts, especially when it comes to her parents and her mother’s mental health, and you can see how much those experiences affected her as she grew up. But it isn’t all sadness. There are funny and warm moments too, which I really liked and made the story feel more real.

I also found myself thinking about how much we carry with us from childhood, even when we think we’ve moved on. Elaine’s determination to build a different life for herself and her own family really came through, and I liked seeing how her experiences shaped the person she became.

The writing is easy to follow and very conversational. It felt like Elaine was simply sitting down and telling me her story rather than trying to make everything sound perfect, and I think that worked really well for a memoir. It made the more emotional parts feel even more genuine.

A really interesting, emotional and honest memoir about family, finding your own way and learning to understand where you came from. I’m glad I had the chance to read it.

Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and the author Elaine Hsieh Yu for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Cindy Neighbors · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, Elaine.

First off, you are not an ugly dumpling—you are a beautiful woman with a truly beautiful soul.
I’ve never tried to solve a Rubik’s Cube, but this book completely captivated me. What an incredible, deeply personal, and timely memoir. It is so masterfully written that I found myself in tears just a third of the way through. Having grown up in Hawaii myself, the narrative felt immensely visceral. I thought I knew what it meant to grow up with little, but reading your journey was a powerful eye-opener. It is a profound reminder of what it truly means to overcome adversity, and you have so much to be proud of.
At times, your story was painful to read, yet so deeply relatable. Growing up in Hawaii with an immigrant mother made your story ring intimately true for me. Thank you for the tender reminders, for your vulnerability, and for sharing a story that inspires us all.

❤️ Heartfelt
🍁 Emotional Nostalgia
🌸 Reflective
🌅 Immersive Writing

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing an early digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ & Best wishes.

[ㅤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a book soaked with growth and family relations that are so authentic they can't help but intertwine with your own. for that reason, i have adored the complexities it deals with, especially the relationship between mother and daughter, which can be so tender and complex at the same time.

the writing felt quite real, as it wasn't complicated to put yourself in elaine's shoes, our protagonist, to whom you grow quite fond of from the very beginning. i loved reading her experiences as a child and how it sometimes resembled how i used to think when i was little. by the time she went to college and continued to succeed, it was difficult for me not to feel like a proud friend.

however, i was quite crushed by the end of the book. it left me with a myriad of emotions, to the point where i had to pause after a certain chapter and reflect. elaine knows how to tell a story and describe the intricacies of these interpersonal relations that brought so much rawness to the book.

thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!

[Brenda (jadore_2read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I wasn’t the kind of kid people stayed for.”
✨
I always rate memoirs 5 stars. It is such a vulnerable experience to go through twice for the author. And then sharing it with the world has to be an emotional roller coaster.
The cover is beautiful (kintsugi). The mended glass symbolizes healing, beauty in imperfections, mending broken areas and resilience. It represents the memoir perfectly.
🥟 I found myself in your shoes at times. And it serves as a reminder that we all have stories and it cost nothing to treat people with kindness. And we’re all just together floating on a giant rock. This book is a warm hug to those who’ve never felt enough despite pouring from an empty cup.

Ugly Dumpling by Elaine Hsieh Yu
✨Asian American coming-of-age
✨Family Trauma/Mental Health
✨Poverty/Redemption
✨out March 16, 2027

Thank you, NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[em]

A fantastic memoir full of love and perseverance. I related a lot to Elaine, as someone who has ties to Hawai’i and has struggled with a lot of the same things she struggled with. She wrote with so much grace and kindness to her younger self, making this easy and a joy to read. I particularly enjoyed reading about her relationship with her mother and brothers, these relationships really stood out as the backbone of her life.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #UglyDumpling #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an advance copy of Ugly Dumpling over summer vacation and I loved it!

Elaine Yu has written a funny and multilayered memoir that paints a picture of playful childhood innocence and [not often spoken about] burdens of growing up in an immigrant family of little means.

The memoir follows her into adult life in where you can see some of the impacts of multigenerational trauma in the expectations placed on herself and on her own children.

Her writing is in a way that includes the small details - a small act of vandalism with gum, mention of eye boogers and makes them meaningful, as well as capturing family members personalities in a way that and not simply black and white despite all the barriers of a high tension home environment and difficulty with culture and language nuances. For all the heavy moments there are moments of pure happiness that shine through the pages.

Give it a read, this book is one you won't forget about anytime soon!

Last note - I was able to meet Elaine in person during a Book Club meetup and hear about her writing process. Though there is a large age difference between us I am so thankful to her for writing this book (felt many parallels with my own Chinese immigrant family) and expressing in such a way the words remain true to the original intention. It opened me up to reflection and sharing dialogue about childhood with friends; I believe it is a book that needed to be written and has high relevancy for readers today.

[Kylie Klodzinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was graciously given an advanced reader copy of Ugly Dumpling by Elaine Hsieh Yu through NetGalley, and I truly did not expect to become this invested in her life. By the time she reached college, I was basically her number one fan and wanted to be her friend.

This memoir is raw in the best way. Elaine doesn’t shy away from showing the ugly alongside the beautiful. We follow her from a little girl growing up in poverty, often having to be far more independent and strong than any child should have to be, through so many different stages of her life.

One of the things that struck me most was just how incredibly smart and naturally gifted she was. Whether it was coding, creating her own game, music, or something entirely new, she seemed to pick up skills so easily. And yet, time and again, circumstances outside of her control interrupted those opportunities. It was heartbreaking to see so much potential collide with poverty, instability, and racism.

I also couldn’t stop thinking about the way poverty could be both visible and completely invisible. There were moments when Elaine obviously stood apart from the children around her because of what she didn’t have. At other times, she could have looked like any other girl walking through school while no one around her had any idea what was waiting for her at home. It was such a reminder that we really don’t know what someone is carrying just by looking at them.

And somewhere along the way, I stopped simply feeling for Elaine and started genuinely rooting for her. I wanted every opportunity for this little girl. Every win felt exciting, and every loss felt personal.

Also, a word of advice: don’t read Chapter 29 in public. I made that mistake. Sob central.

What ultimately made me love this memoir so much was getting to follow such a large span of Elaine’s life. Things come full circle in ways that allow her—and us—to look back at her childhood with an understanding she couldn’t possibly have had while she was living it. Relationships become more complicated, more tender, and more human. Sometimes the people who fail us can also love us, and sometimes it takes years to understand the full story.

Ugly Dumpling is exactly that: the ugly and the beautiful, side by side. It’s about poverty, racism, family, resilience, opportunity, and the things we understand differently once we’re old enough to look back.

I absolutely loved it—and after spending all these pages with Elaine, I’m still rooting for her.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review. Ugly Dumpling is currently expected to publish in March 2027.

[Nadia Masood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing reviews for memoirs is always the hardest for me, especially when they carry such heavy themes. I finished reading Ugly Dumpling a couple of weeks ago and I'm still thinking about it. It makes me wonder how difficult it must have been for Yu to write this. The courage and strength required to put her most honest, unfiltered story into words and present it to the world must not have been an easy journey.

Elaine Hsieh Yu writes about her childhood in Honolulu and East LA, where she grew up in poverty with a fierce and volatile single mother who was dealing with undiagnosed mental illness. The book opens with a scene where she mistakes maggots on the kitchen floor for rice, and right then, I knew this was going to be a heavy read. There were several moments from her childhood that made me pause because I just couldn't imagine a little girl going through what Yu did.

Yet, I noticed how Yu looks back at her past without a sense of regret or bitterness. I didn't feel like she resented her mother at all. In fact, she speaks about her with so much empathy. It made me feel like despite how messy or complicated her life had been, Yu was able to look back, understand it better, and heal.

Thank you, Elaine, for sharing your story with us. It is beautifully written.

Thanks to Elaine Yu and Forefront Books for the eARC.

[Luisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the advanced copy for a honest review.

Raw and moving memoir , full of resilience and heart. One of my favorite books I’ve read this year, and I can’t wait for other readers to read it too. Elaine touches hard topics like mental health, poverty, immigrant story, complicated family dynamics, racism, and education. This is told through childhood into adulthood, we follow her and her family through the ups and downs. I felt a rollercoaster of emotions reading Elaine story and my heart ached and it soared at times. I’ll know this book will be memorable for me.

[Rebecca Eisenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel so lucky to have had the chance to read this book. I absolutely loved it! It was interesting, emotional, sad, happy, and everything in between. One of my favorite parts was how connected I felt to the author—I truly felt like I knew her by the end of the book. I also really enjoyed learning about her culture and experiences, which added so much to the story.

The book kept my attention from beginning to end, and I found myself looking forward to reading it every night. It’s one of those books that stays with you even after you finish it. I highly recommend it!

[Katie Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir drew me in from the very beginning, and I became invested in Elaine Hsieh Yu’s story throughout the entire book. She writes about her experience as a child immigrant to the United States, as well as her family and personal struggles with poverty, racial discrimination, and mental illness. She writes honestly, but tenderly, and presents a raw and personal account of what she faced growing up. This memoir was beautiful and thought-provoking, and the writer brings such an important perspective to readers. I appreciated her style and insight, as well as her handling of difficult topics. I would whole-heartedly recommend this to anyone!

[Sandra Koka (pielasit_sirdi)]

‘’My mom love wasn’t always calm or easy, or perfectly expressed. But it was constant.’’ ( p.124)

Looking for a better life, a family from Hong Kong moves to Hawaii, but this little dream of happiness quickly collapses when the father abandons the family. Despite Elaine's mother speaking English fluently, her mental health struggles prevent her from keeping a stable job, and caring for three children with only state assistance leaves her living in constant worry and anxiety about the next day. However, she refuses to give up and return to her homeland.

Thus begins Elaine's memoir of growing up in poverty and family bonds that stretch far beyond physical borders.
Despite all the emotional struggles and hardships, the author manages to look at things someplace with irony. If there is an ugly duckling, then why not a slightly modified version an "ugly dumpling," closely tied to Chinese culture and culinary traditions. Everyday problems and the struggle for basic survival stand out most brightly when there is something to compare them to. Often, the empathy and kindness of friends are what reveal just how different lives can be.

On multiple layers, the reader can see how difficult it is to grow up between completely different cultures, how massive the gap is between China and the US, and how unaccepting and simultaneously tearing apart this desire is on one hand, to fit in somewhere, and on the other, to integrate. Not to stand out, to be like everyone else, while facing immense pressure from the family to achieve everything the parents could not. This is also a story about family ties, self-sacrifice, mental health, and generational trauma.

The story is filled with plenty of warmth and kindness from people around them, along with the ability to adapt to any circumstances. At the same time, the protagonist tries to act more mature than her age requires, because despite being the youngest in the family, she often acts as her mother's anchor, navigating through everyday problems.

3.8 stars


Thank you to NetGalley for sharing this mystery’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.



LV

Meklējot labāku dzīvi, ģimene no Hong Kongas pārceļas uz Hawaii, taču ātri vien šis laimes namiņš sabrūk, kad tēvs pamet ģimeni. Neskatoties uz to, ka Elaines māte lieliski prot angļu valodu, viņas mentālās veselības problēmas neļauj viņai paturēt stabilu darbu un rūpes par trim bērniem, ar vienīgo atbalstu no valsts, liek viņai dzīvot nepārtrauktās rūpēs un raizēs par nākamo dienu. Tomēr padoties un atgriezties savā dzimtenē viņa atsakās. Tā sākas Elaine atmiņu stāsts par dzīvošanu nabadzībā un ģimenes saitēm, kas sniedzas tālāk par fiziskajām robežām. Un mīlestību, lai arī kāda tā nebūtu.

Autore, par spīti visiem emocionālajiem pārdzīvojumiem un problēmām, spēj uz lietām paraudzīties dažkārt arī ironiski. Ja reiz ir neglītais pīlēns, tad, kāpēc ne drusku pamainīta versija- neglītais pelmenis, kas cieši saistīts ar Ķīnas kultūri un kulināriju. Ikdienas problēmas un cīņa par vienkāršu izdzīvošanu, visspilgtāk parādās brīžos, kad ir ar ko salīdzināt. Bieži vien draudzeņu iejūtība un labsirdība, ir tā, kas parāda, cik atšķirīgas var būt dzīves.

Vairākos slāņos lasītājs var ieraudzīt, cik sarežģīti ir izaugt starp pilnīgi dažādām kultūrām, cik milzu plaisa ir starp Ķīnu un ASv, cik nepieņemoša, reizē uz pusēm plēsoša ir šī vēlme, no vienas puses kaut kur iederēties, no otras saglabāt savu izcelsmi. Neizlekt, būt kā visiem pārējiem un reizē milzu spiediens no ģimenes sasniegt visu to, ko vecākiem neizdevās. Šis ir stāsts arī par ģimenes saitēm, ziedošanos, mentālo veselību un paaudžu traumām.

Stāstā ir daudz sirsnības un līdzcilvēku labsirdība. Spēja adaptēties jebkuros apstākļos, reizē varone cenšas būt vairāk pieaugusi, nekā no viņas vecuma bērniem prasa, jo bieži vien, neskatoties uz to, ka viņa ir jaunākā ģimenē, viņa ir kā mammas balsts, kas lavierē starp ikdienas problēmām.

3.8 zvaigznes

[Jennifer · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I've really been enjoying memoirs lately, and Ugly Dumpling by Elaine Hsieh Yu is one that gave me a lot to think about.

Elaine immigrated from Hong Kong to Hawaii when she was just four years old. Her childhood was anything but easy. Growing up in poverty, dealing with an unstable home life, and having a mother who struggled with mental illness meant she experienced things that no child should have to deal with.

I think what interested me most about this memoir was her relationship with her mother. I have an understanding of mental health struggles, and I found myself looking at their relationship from different perspectives. My heart went out to Elaine for the things she experienced as a little girl, but I also thought about what her mother must have been going through. Mental health can be difficult enough to navigate today, even with the resources and understanding we have. I can't imagine what it was like during a time when these things weren't openly discussed or properly diagnosed.

And that's something I kept thinking about while reading. You can have compassion for someone who is struggling while still recognizing the impact their behavior has on the people around them. Especially children.

As a mother and grandmother, the childhood portions of this memoir were particularly difficult at times. We want to protect our children from the difficult parts of life, and it was heartbreaking to read about some of the situations Elaine found herself in at such a young age.

I also liked that Elaine shared how her childhood influenced the way she eventually raised her own children. It's interesting how much of our upbringing follows us into adulthood. Sometimes we repeat what we know, and sometimes we make a conscious decision to do things differently.

The writing was easy to follow, and I loved the short chapters. Even with some of the heavier subject matter, I found myself wanting to keep reading. I appreciated that Elaine included moments of happiness and humor alongside the more difficult memories.

This was a really good memoir about family, poverty, immigration, mental health, and the lasting effects of childhood experiences. I think what I appreciated most was that it gave me a lot to think about, especially when it comes to understanding people and the circumstances that shape their lives.

We really never know everything someone else has been through.

4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Ruthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elaine Yu's parents immigrated to Hawaii from China. Her mother's family had been aristocracy in China, but in America they lived in poverty. After a domestic violence incident between her parents, Elaine, her mother, and her brothers fled with the help of victim services. What follows is a story of growing up always on the outside looking in.

Yu captures what it's like to grow up while learning a new culture: teaching her mother English, playing with her older brothers, and then navigating school alone once they moved on. The writing is full of vivid imagery that let me, someone without her background, stand in her shoes and feel how uncomfortable and frightening it is to learn everything at once. At times the devastation was tangible, especially when her family saved up to buy her a bicycle so she could ride to the library, only to have it stolen the very first time she went. She describes always feeling her answers were wrong, even when they were right.

That self-doubt is universal, along with the way other people's words can carry more weight than our own and become a burden. The more I read, the more I recognized myself, mostly in her feelings rather than her experiences, though we did share at least one: feathered hair held in place with Aqua Net. Not quite fitting in. Trying so hard to be liked. Anxiety, fear, and the longing for acceptance in adolescence seem to cross every boundary.

My heart broke when she described being "not Chinese" to her friends and "not American" to her bullies. So who was she? I expected her to break through when she was accepted to Stanford, but even there she felt like an outsider among classmates who didn't share her experiences.

As she graduates, finds love, raises children, and builds a career, she finally finds acceptance for herself and for who she always was. Elaine's determination to build a different life for herself and her own family really came through, and I liked seeing how her experiences shaped the person she became. By the end, I felt as though I'd gained a friend.

[Sana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugly Dumpling is a narrative memoir, tracing Elaine Hsieh Yu's life from childhood to parenthood. The book explores her experiences of poverty and racism as a first-generation immigrant, and in particular, how those factors influenced but did not define her. The book has a powerful message: social disadvantages can be overcome with hard work.

The first two acts of this book (pre-Stanford and Stanford) were a joy to read. The narrative style made the memoir throughly engaging and vivid, and my heart went out to young Elaine. The simple writing added to young Elaine's childish innocence and naivety, and her sense of unfairness at her circumstances. It also made the happy moments pop off the page with purity, as happiness often is in childhood.

After the first two acts, I was waiting for the big emotional pay-off in the final act (post-Stanford). However, the same writing style which was such a powerful tool in the first part of the book was a let down in the second part. The pacing was rushed exactly when the moment needed to be savoured – this stability is what Elaine worked for her whole life, this is what the reader has been waiting for the whole book! I also felt that the simple writing style flattened a lot of the emotion and nuance, which was especially needed to for the resolution of Elaine's relationship with each of her parents.

Finally, let me just say how much I love the cover and title of this book. They perfectly capture the feeling of not-belonging that immigrants and their children generally experience, belonging neither here nor there, and one that I felt Elaine did justice to beautifully, especially with the inclusion of her Taiwan trip as a teenager.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read and it made me think deeply about several important issues. Elaine's story is incredibly inspiring, so I would recommend picking it up if you can.

Thank you for the advanced copy, Elaine Yu, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op and NetGalley.

[012_cece · Rating 4 out of 5]

this starts with Elaine arriving in Hawai’i from Hong Kong when she was four years old, and from there, we follow her childhood and eventually her adult life. her childhood was not an easy one. there’s poverty, racism, an unstable home, a father who drifts in and out, and a mother dealing with untreated mental illness.

Ugly Dumpling is a deeply personal memoir, but it also feels universal in the way it explores identity, family, belonging, shame, mental health, generational trauma and the complicated process of learning to accept yourself.

one of the things that made the memoir stand out for me in the first section of the book was how it felt like you are truly reading through the voice of a 4yr. old child. it’s so interesting to be able to have a glimpse of what’s going on in the mind of a kid, the inner voices, and the confusion only adults understand. reading this also feels like i am watching a period Chinese drama, esp in the part where her grandfather cannot bear a son, so he had a second wife and married a servant.

i also loved how the second half and towards the end of the book you get to understand why the title is Ugly Dumpling.

“Even the misshapen dumplings that had fallen apart found their place here, becoming perfect potstickers, crispy and delicious. I looked around at three generations sitting there-held together by flour, laughter, and love-and realized the messy parts of our lives were what had made us whole. The unexpected paths, the broken pieces, even the ugly dumplings had turned into something golden.”

i love how this passage aligns with the title and book cover perfectly!

such a lovely memoir that reminds us that sometimes… the pieces we thought were broken beyond repair are the very ones that become golden, much like kintsugi on a broken plate on the cover!

-
grateful for the opportunity to read the advance copy of the book! 🤍

[Priscilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever read a rollercoaster ride of a book that lingers even after it ends? I felt that after reading #UglyDumpling, a memoir where an Asian American woman retraces her journey from growing up in poverty with a mentally ill mother. ⁣
⁣
Even though its main theme centers around a mother-daughter relationship, I found Ugly Dumpling relatable to readers from all walks of life. Author Elaine Hsieh Yu writes the early chapters through the lens of her four-year-old self. You experience her early memories from racism to family conflicts and survival. Each moment leaves its scars. The toughest part is unquestionably reading about Yu’s mother. It tires the soul when one lives with a volatile family member, yet, Yu never once villainizes her mother. Instead, she acknowledges the trauma her mother went through with deep empathy and compassion. Her unwavering love in a journey that could’ve been bleak and harrowing stirs you in the heart.⁣
⁣
As Yu grows older, her voice matures — and so does her reflection. I found her account of motherhood particularly refreshing. Being a parent is a tightrope to walk. Yu candidly shares her struggles being supportive while staying cautious of her daughter's future. ⁣
⁣
“𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘯. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘑𝘰𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴. 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘥. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺, 𝘐’𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘴.”⁣
⁣
Covering 50 years of her life, Ugly Dumpling is never starry-eyed or self-indulgent. Rather, it’s a heartfelt personal account that shows, young or old, life is a squiggly line of challenges — and how it can be gratifying and beautiful even in the midst of grim moments. ⁣💛

[Bao Bao · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional memoir to read. I don't often read memoirs but I felt compelled to read this one.

Elaine Hsieh Yu describes her childhood upbringing from the age of four when she had immigrated from Hong Kong to Hawaii with her two older brothers and her mother. Elaine's father was already in Hawaii and insisted on the family moving... Unfortunately Elaine's parents divorced and it was up to her mother to raise them in poverty.

The memoir goes through many of Elaine's childhood memories, how her mother tried her best and probably knew what she was going through as well as being toughened up by her two brothers Benson and Winson, and their voyage to LA, the mainland. What deeply sinks in is how it goes onto talking about mental health among herself and her family members who are going through tough times but not really seeking help for this. I guess at the time of when these events happened, it may have been more difficult to get a diagnosis in regards to mental health compared to today.

As we go through the memoir there are some difficult moments in Elaine's life as a daughter, sister and a mother to her two children, which I felt fairly upsetting. At these points you will need to reach out for some tissues for the last 10 to 15 chapters!
This is a truly emotional book who will reach out to most East Asian of first and second generation families who have travelled from their home country to the West.
I really enjoyed this book as well as comparing my own upbringing in a first and second generation family in the Western world.

This is for those who have enjoyed Taipei Story by R.F. Kuang, Takeaway by Angela Hui and Ahn Love by Frances Park.

Thanks to the author, Netgalley and Forefront Books for this ARC!

[Whitney Hofstetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for an advance copy of this book.


Plot: memoir of a Chinese American woman growing up in a difficult situation due to finances and family issues.

Impression: First of all, great title! I loved the play on words as it unfortunately relates to Elaine’s childhood experiences. She has overcome so much to achieve her education, career, and create her own family. I appreciated that her mother’s mental health was addressed as well as the cultural stigma around getting treatment. This book was very reminiscent of the Glass Castle and Educated- memoirs I also loved! I won’t forget Elaine’s story and her resilience!

Trigger Warnings: mentions of abuse, no graphic descriptions

Star System: 5 star reads are books I can’t put down and/or make me cry. This is a book that will stick with me for either the topic, writing style, or emotional impact.
4 star books are unique or interesting and perhaps teach me something new. A feel good read is usually 4 stars.
3 star reads are good, solid books. I’m not necessarily learning or feeling anything new.
2 star books have some plot holes or timeline issues. These are the books that just aren’t believable.
1 star books are typically offensive

[Katye]

This was such a compelling read, one that I couldn’t put down. It will have you smiling and crying. Elaine hooks you right from the start transporting you back in time with her. I very quickly found myself hurting for her and her brothers who were so young dealing with adult problems while navigating generational trauma and racism in their day to day lives. Elaine takes you with her as she reminisces on her upbringing and finding herself. Each chapter was rich with detail that really made you feel like you were there. There were heavy things throughout this book, but overwhelmingly it’s a heartwarming reminiscing of overcoming hardship. Elaine’s ability to always value kindness, find the positive in bad situations, and to be present and grateful is what really stuck with me. The smallest gesture of kindness can have such a profound affect on someone’s life. You won’t regret picking this one up.


Thank you to the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely recommend this!

[Soojin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author. Elaine Hsieh Yu and I went to Stanford together so reading her memoir showed me many things about her that I didn’t know. From “rags in Hawaii to riches in the Silicon Valley,” I’m proud of how Elaine was able to go through many challenges in life with the love and support of those around her: as a little girl from Hong Kong going to school for the first time in Hawaii, as an elementary school and high school girl experiencing poverty and racism in Baldwin Park, then later navigating life as a college student at Stanford and then as an adult in the Silicon Valley. Interwoven throughout her life is her love for her mom and her mom’s love for her. How does Elaine reconcile being the “treasure of [her mom’s] heart” with her mom’s unstable behavior towards Elaine that stems from her mental illness? I recommend that everyone reads this memoir - there’s lots to think about!

[Annabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Resolve Editions for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I was drawn to this book after reading the blurb and being Chinese myself. Elaine’s story is an incredibly emotional one and I found myself shedding tears throughout.

Although I am a third generation immigrant with my grandparents and mum moving to the UK as refugees and my dad moving from Hong Kong in his teens, there was still so much I could relate to.

The racist comments she experienced in her childhood were the same that I had also experienced in the 90s and 00s. I cried for Elaine and my younger self.

What was truly beautiful in Elaine’s memoir was how everything came back full circle for her. Through all the adversity she faced, she overcame so much hardship to be able to protect and support her family. It was so wonderful to see and truly inspiring.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured Ugly Dumpling. Equal parts devastating and heartwarming, this memoir was amazing.

I especially loved Elaine’s strength and resilience as a little girl. Her ability to use her strong character to protect herself was something I found really powerful, and not something you often see portrayed in these kinds of stories. I also loved seeing how each of the characters evolved throughout the book.

I connected deeply with so many of the themes, from the immigrant experience and generational trauma to the challenge of parenting differently from how you were raised. It’s a deep reminder of how much we carry from one generation to the next, and how much power we have to change what gets passed down.

[Bonnie Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The rice on our kitchen carpet was moving.” The opening eight-word sentence of Ugly Dumpling hooked me instantly. Elaine Hsieh Yu's treasure of a memoir — beautiful, honest, and moving. Her remarkable recall draws you in completely as she navigates a chaotic childhood through a lens of grace, innocence, and hope. Even amidst the instability, she always knew she was loved — evidenced by her mother's tender nickname, "treasure of my heart daughter." This book is a tender reminder of the ripple effect of kindness, the power of words and strength of resilience. If you loved The Glass Castle, you will love this memoir.

[springstruckreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by Netgalley

At first, I would love to thank @netgalley and @uglydumplingbook for giving me an opportunity to get my hands on this memoir. Since I usually choose fiction and almost never stumble upon one, that would be intriguing enough, I was surprised, how much I wanted to give this a chance. And again my intuition was right - it was worth every minute of reading.

This is an important book, not only for the world we live in today but also for the future, where more and more people are forced to leave their homes in search of (hopefully) a brighter future, while others are barely scraping by. There are situations where we might not know what life is like for those around us, and sometimes we do know, yet choose to turn a blind eye.

I I have so much respect for Elaine, and I wish I had even half of the strength and humility she possesses. She is exactly the kind of person I wish we saw more often in the media. People who share not only their powerful stories for us to learn from, but also give us a reason to reflect, stay humble, and take a closer look at the world and the people around us.

There is a part of the book where Elaine and her siblings spend their free time with adult volunteers. There is a similar project I have been thinking about volunteering for over the years, always putting it off until later, telling myself I would do it when I was older and more prepared. Now, I understand that sometimes simply being present is enough. Just showing up and giving someone your undivided attention. And now I realise how much even a few hours of my time could mean in a child's life. So, I am thankful to this book for giving me that extra push and motivation to become more involved in my own community.

But not giving too much spoilers, I believe everyone needs to read a powerful story like this every once in a while. So, I highly recommend giving this beautiful, heartbreaking, yet incredibly powerful story a chance.

Mark your calendars for this powerful memoir on March 16th, 2027 or preorder here: https://uglydumplingbook.com/

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A commendable memoir. This book touched my heart so deeply in many ways, the trauma of immigrant family, growing up as an immigrant kid who does not speak perfect English but still excels, the love and bond during difficult days, and so much more. But do not be scared, Elaine Hsieh Yu did a wonderful job in telling her family stories in a courageous and humorous way.

After turning off the last page, I just had to google Honolulu City Lights (by Keola and Kapono beamer), and somehow I just wish that Elaine Hsieh Yu had asked the copyright and included it in the book. It matches the story perfectly, and listening to the song makes me teared up.

[Verity Thornhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Elaine's memoir - her writing style transported me to be sitting by her side throughout her life. It was interesting and absorbing and by the end it felt like I was a friend who she had been talking to.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elaine's debut memoir is an honest, vulnerable and authentic reflection on what it means to find one's place in the world, literally and metaphorically. While her journey from Hong Kong to Hawaii to Los Angeles and finally, Silicon Valley is both a common one and uniquely hers, the themes of financial struggles, complicated family dynamics, and the experiences and people who shape who we become will resonate with a wide range of readers. Elaine's ability to recall small moments and conversations with remarkable clarity and perspective brings her story to life with just the right blend of humor, self-deprecation and poignancy. #uglydumpling #netgalley

[Jill Dobbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The adage that your past doesn't have to define you could be the theme of this memoir. The author grows up in a dysfunctional and poverty-stricken household with a mother, two brothers, and an abusive and absent father. Her mother plays a predominant role, and the author basically plans her life and career around her. The love and caring between them is always constant, despite her mother's mental health concerns.

Ugly Dumpling is an honest and emotional memoir that chronicles Hsieh's youth, college days, and watching her own children go off to university. At times, the book reads more like diary entries as she describes her later years, her work, her relationships, and following her daughter's academics. The many hardships and vulnerabilities that the author experienced throughout life allowed her to fully appreciate the life she eventually made for herself and her own family.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Lindsey Pressler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved how raw and vulnerable this memoir is. A majority of the book focuses on her childhood memories. Scene after scene, I felt like I was growing up in her memories with her. Her writing is simple and straightforward, but evokes all of emotions she felt.

Towards the end of the book, Elaine touches on how her childhood influenced the way she parents. She reflects honestly on how her childhood trauma impacted how she raised her children, and how she actively works to break cycles.

I highly recommend this book for anyone struggling with mental health issues of a parent, the complexities of immigrating to a new country, and generational trauma.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Elaine Hsieh Yu for providing me with an advanced reader copy of 'Ugly Dumpling'.