Nonfiction Prompt - Crying in H Mart

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1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum? Highly Narrative

2. What is the subject of the book? Michelle Zauner’s life as a Korean American, her relationship with her mother, and her mother’s death

3. What type of book is it? Memoir in narrative form

4. Articulate appeal

  • What is the pacing of the book? The pace is fairly leisurely.
  • Describe the characters of the book. As a memoir, it focuses mostly on the author Michelle Zauner, lead singer of the band Japanese Breakfast. Michelle is Korean American and grew up in Eugene, Oregon before moving to the East Coast. She had a strained relationship with her mother, which provided a lot of the narrative and emotional basis of the book. 
  • How does the story feel? Emotional, deep, cathartic.
  • What is the intent of the author? To share her life story and experiences, to come to terms with the death of her mother
  • What is the focus of the story? Growing up as Korean in America, Michelle’s relationship with her mother, her life as a musician, and the death of her mother as well as the grieving process
  • Does the language matter? Yes, the writing is engaging and lyrical and some Korean words are interspersed especially food terms
  • Is the setting important and well described? Yes, especially the setting of Seoul at Michelle’s grandmother’s house. All of the settings are important and different, but Seoul certainly has the most care and description
  • Are there details and, if so, of what? There are lots of details on Korean culture, of music and becoming a musician, and especially of food. Food is a framing device throughout the book.
  • Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear? None used
  • Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience? The book stresses both understanding and experience: understanding Korean-American culture and lives and experiencing the complicated death of a parent and the even more complicated grief that comes after


5. Why would a reader enjoy this book? 

1. Experience/Understanding 2. Detail 3. Language/Style


Comments

  1. Claire LeoMarch 29, 2023 at 12:35 PM

    I recommended this to someone recently as part of the final project for this course, and she absolutely loved it. I actually didn't realize the author was the lead singer of Japanese Breakfast until later; my friend told me later after she'd finished the book that she was happy she got to discover a new band as well and I was like "oh neat!....uhhh wait what?" because I actually do really enjoy their music.

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    Replies
    1. Laurie FancherMarch 29, 2023 at 12:53 PM

      I actually didn't know of the band before reading the book a few months ago! And then not long after, I stumbled across a video game (called Sable) that features an OST by them too! Weird coincidences, but I do enjoy their music too.

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    2. olivia l.March 30, 2023 at 8:55 AM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. olivia l.March 30, 2023 at 8:55 AM

    I think you nailed the appeal ranking for this book! I 100% agree with you that the detail in this book is a huge part of the draw. While I read it, and for like six months after, I craved Korean BBQ constantly. I was also constantly bowled over by how effectively and poignantly Zauner conveyed her emotions; it was one of the most difficult and yet cathartic reading experiences I've probably ever had. I literally have no idea how anyone could not love this book, but I'm for sure biased. In fact, recently, a coworker had her book club read and discuss it, and (shocking both of us) none of them really cared for it at all. Many actually complained about the amount of time Zauner spent describing the food and thought she was "whiny" (which I remain completely flabbergasted by). I guess it just really reiterates the importance of understanding appeal factors because if someone isn't looking for a read heavy on experience/understanding and detail, this sure won't be a good fit, no matter how much I personally loved it.

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    Replies
    1. Laurie FancherMarch 30, 2023 at 10:48 AM

      Wow, I'm also shocked that a whole book club group didn't love this book! I'm not much of a nonfiction reader, but I definitely adored it. I also craved Korean food after all the detail spent on the food in the book. But you're right, if people aren't interested in that type of framing and detail, it could be boring. "Whiny" feels like a crazy critique still though!

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  3. Erin CataldiApril 3, 2023 at 12:40 PM

    Excellent job on this matrix! I've been meaning to read this book. Full points!

    ReplyDelete

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