For a memoir that builds up to the murder of a friend as a defining incident in Hua Hsu's life, it is much more interesting when it covers almost everything except that. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Ken's murder becomes a void in Hsu's existence, that sucks much of the joy from his lived experience. We only just get the impression that he's started to work through it and sought help.

However, every other aspect of Hsu's life up until then is both fascinating and rings true like the title: his desire to have his voice heard through putting out zines that maybe no one will ever read, his need to find his own place in American society. This is a man who amounts to much more than his tragic inciting incident, so don't be surprised if you read Stay True around the murder rather than because of it; if anything, that's more respectful.