Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Memoir
Asian Culture
1st Generation Immigration
TW Death
Grief & Bereavement
Raw & Emotional
Culinary Experiences
Get the book HERE
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Memoir & Biographies
Start Date: September 29, 2024
End Date: October 6, 2024
This had been on my list for a while, and it became available as a skip-the-line copy at my library, so I grabbed it. I wasn’t really sure what it was about, just that it was a memoir of some kind. Once actually reading the “about” of the book, it hit closer to home, as my sister-in-law, Tiffany, is also Korean and recently lost her mom to cancer. This book touches a lot on the cultural differences, food differences, and is raw and emotional.
I learned about many of these foods and funeral arrangements from my sister in law, so I was familiar with what happens after a matriarch passes away. The difference with my sister in law, she knew how to make much of the foods that were in this book, as her mom taught her before she got sick. Her mother always made extra food on their holidays, so Tiffany could bring it so we could try it, which I love! I love learning about different cultures and their customs and food. In the book, Michelle talks about how being a 1st generation immigrant, she felt less connected to her Korean side. Mainly the areas she lived in didn’t have large Korean populations, she only really got to explore her Korean side with her parents or her aunts and cousins in Korea when she visited. I feel like this is normal for 1st generation immigrants, and as they become more Americanized, the more they lose those connections back to their culture. But in Michelle’s case, she really did want to reconnect with her Korean side, and learn to make Korean dishes, etc.
I loved how raw this memoir was, how she started to explore her Korean heritage as her mother was dying and even after when she could afford to go back, see where her mom grew up, visit her aunts and uncles, etc. The main thing I gained from reading this is to learn about your culture and your heritage before it’s too late. I’ve been thinking about starting back up on my genealogy now after reading this book. Learn what you can now before your parents r grandparents aren’t here anymore.
