This was such a beautifully written memoir with lyricism that will leave you aching for more. Wong’s background as a poet shines through in this memoir because of her writing style, though she also writes a fair bit about her career. Entangled with her thoughts on being a poet are the reflections of romantic and familial relationships, as well as her identity as a Chinese American woman who grew up in an immigrant household. What I especially enjoyed about this memoir and what Wong highlighted was her relationship with her mother. I feel that it’s often common to read books (fiction and nonfiction alike) that focus on conflict between mothers and daughters. In Wong’s situation, though, it’s nothing but love and gentle kindness that’s highlighted throughout. In all her beautiful descriptions of her mother, there is nothing but the utmost love and respect for an important figure in her life.

I did find some things a bit repetitive at times (particularly when it had to deal with her exes), though I can’t help but wonder if this is the result of some chapters being published elsewhere before being revised and compiled in this memoir or something else entirely.

All-in-all, though, this was a tender (though sometimes heartbreaking) read. I’ll also have to check out Wong’s poetry in the near future.