Crying in H Mart ★★★★★

Crying in H Mart (Click Here To Buy)

★★★★★

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner is a memoir about the author’s mother passing away and her Korean heritage.

I read this as an audiobook on loan from the library read by the author.

Born in Seoul to a Korean mother and an American father, Zauner moved to Oregon as a small child. Zauner recounts memories with her mother from childhood in little bits and pieces - exploring what it was like growing up as a Korean-American struggling to feel Korean or American. Through these glimpses, Zauner eloquently weaves the tapestry to show us her mother. As a young adult, Zauner’s mother was diagnosed with cancer so she moves home to take care of her. This slow death of hope was so honest and heartbreaking. After Zauner’s mother passes, she has to sit with what’s left, unpack to she is and learn how to grieve so she can move forward. Zauner finds faith in cooking Korean food as a way to be close to and honor her mother as well as reconnect with her Korean culture. She also writes an album called Psychopomp in memory of her mother under the band name Japanese Breakfast, ending the tour and the book in Seoul to bring us full circle. This was a beautiful book that was well-written, sad, and true. It exudes what it means to long for someone and I’m grateful to have read it.

My dog just passed away last week from cancer, so this memoir really hit home. Taking care of her as she got worse everyday, hoping for the best and just trying to love her as hard as I can. After, you’re left with these remnants, this hole, this ever pressing sadness that literally weighs down your soul. Watching someone dying is hard, living with their death after isn’t any easier but listening to Psychopomp after reading this book has been really comforting.

If you liked Crying in H Mart, I also recommend Sigh, Gone by Phuc Tran, A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis, Wild by Cheryl Strayed, and Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward.

Happy reading <3

Ms.Bjork