You won’t believe how many people tell me to read Crying in H Mart after learning that I run a book-inspired recipe blog. It’s probably the first book recommendation out of people’s mouths. After reading just a few pages of Michelle Zauner’s memoir, though, it’s easy to understand why: her story is a love letter to Asian-American food culture.
Interestingly, though, I didn’t love Crying in H Mart as much as I’d hoped to.
What is Crying in H Mart about?
Crying in H Mart is about how author Zauner put her mid-twenty-something, go-where-the-wind-takes-you musician lifestyle on hold to return home and care for her dying mother. The book delves into Zauner’s Asian-American upbringing, from her childhood summers spent in Korea to the cultural expectations of her Korean family, then moves into how her loved ones came together to care for her mother as she battled cancer.
Grief, loss, family, love, and, of course, food, play huge roles in the book. Swaths of chapters are devoted to Korean language, customs, family relations, games, and pastimes, all shown to the reader through the author’s eyes. These sections are mostly uplifting and comical, which help balance the heavier sections about cancer and hospice care.
What I liked about Crying in H Mart
Zauner is an engaging and relatable writer. Although Crying in H Mart is a memoir, the story flows like fiction and is easy to get lost in. There are lovely turns of phrase, metaphors and similes galore, and plenty of fun and connectable “characters” thrown into the mix.
Crying in H Mart gave me a crash course in Korean-American and Korean culture, which I loved. Zauner spent many childhood summers in Korea, as well as time there as an adult while touring with her band. The reader is dropped into the happy mess that is her extended family, and I enjoyed “meeting” all her relatives. There are so many tidbits about food, fashion, language, traditions, and games that made this a fun read.
Then, of course, there’s the food. Crying in H Mart introduced me to so many types of Korean and Korean fusion dishes. Most I had never heard of; there was a lot of Googling as I read through the book. A lot of the authentic cuisine is a little too spicy and adventurous for me. But, I appreciated the fervor with which Zauner talks about the dishes of her childhood and how they connected her to memories later on.
What I didn’t like about Crying in H Mart
Obviously, since Zauner’s mother is dying from cancer, Crying in H Mart has some really emotional moments. Much of this book can be a real downer. Reading about battling an awful disease is never easy, and reading about helping someone battle the disease is no picnic, either. But, I was kinda expecting that based on the book description.
What I didn’t expect was the slightly abusive relationship between Zauner and her mother. Years of therapy have taught me that their mother-daughter dynamic wasn’t necessarily a healthy one. While it’s nice that Zauner found a way to move past her mommy issues by writing Crying in H Mart, that difficult dynamic soured my appreciation for this memoir.
Should you read Crying in H Mart?
Everyone I’ve met seems to love Crying in H Mart. Many Asian and Asian-American readers have told me they love it because they can identify with Zauner’s childhood memories and upbringing. Many non-Asian readers tell me they love it because it’s a beautifully written story about a universal topic. And, pretty much all readers fall in love with its foodie fiction component.
Even though I didn’t enjoy Crying in H Mart as much as most people, I still think this memoir is worth a read.
What’s the book-inspired recipe for Crying in H Mart?
Be sure to check back in for the book-inspired recipe: Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup.
