TW—disordered eating, racism, cancerMary H.K. Choi’s author’s note for Yolk sugges
TW—disordered eating, racism, cancerMary H.K. Choi’s author’s note for Yolk suggests that the story may be “emotionally expensive for you” if you struggle with disordered eating, dysmorphia, or bulimia, and encourages readers to “be gentle with yourselves—sensitivity is a superpower.” I was attracted to this book because of its prettiness-the golden color, the beautiful falling girls, the interlaced hands on the pages—but beneath the prettiness lie complex struggles. Jayne is something of an antihero—petty, jealous, insecure, privileged, and constantly comparing herself to others unfavorably. Jayne struggles to process the cultural pressures of being a child of immigrants, as well as the materialism and sexism of US youth culture and social media, culminating in disordered eating. Jayne is consumed by consumer culture, whether she is obsessing on the brand of a romantic rival’s boots at the beginning of the book, or an expensive cheese at the supermarket at the end. Her manner of speaking is abrasive and full of self doubt, and what seems like a strong intellect is fully occupied with self conscious superficiality. Jayne’s thirst for approval, especially from status-conscious white young men, is saddening.Still, I really enjoyed her as a character. Jayne elicits compassion from the reader, and in doing so, allows the reader space to reflect on their own struggles with self compassion. When Jayne is confronted with her seemingly perfect elder sister June’s life changing diagnosis, the two are thrown together, both in need of different kinds of support. I found myself rooting for both siblings as they confront their illnesses and repair their relationship. If you are a Jane Austen fan, you may sense some Sense and Sensibility/Elinor and Marianne Dashwood vibes from this sibling dynamic. I liked that there is no strong redemptive moment for either sister’s less-than-charming personality characteristics, just tentative acceptance of themselves, and each other. -- source link
#ya lit#teen reads#sisters