Crying in H Mart: A Memoir

“I remember these things clearly because that was how my mother loved you, not through white lies and constant verbal affirmation, but in subtle observations of what brought you joy, pocketed away to make you feel comforted and cared for without even realizing it.”

If you were to ask the internet to give you a list of the most delectable-looking animated food, you'd certainly be inundated with gifs from Studio Ghibli movies. My mind goes to the scene of Sophie cooking breakfast in Howl's Moving Castle or to the iconic golden-brown fish pie from Spirited Away. Ghibli food is lauded because even when confined to two dimensions, the smells and tastes are so strongly evoked, it's almost as if I am there myself.

All that to say, that's how I felt about this book. Of course, Zauner's food descriptions had me fantasizing over rice and noodles and marinated short ribs so strongly that I nearly broke my laptop in my rush to search "Korean restaurants near me." But it was her characterization of emotions and complex relationships that really turned this book into something special. I was moved to tears on not one but seven occasions (and to be fair, one of those times lasted about thirty pages straight) because I could feel her love and hope and pain and sorrow so deeply. Overall, a beautifully written memoir that was well worth the tissues I went through. Five stars.

so beautifully done. I could feel her exquisite heartbreak and sobbed for everything she lived through and lost.

Though I haven’t read many memoirs I must say that this one would have to rank pretty high on that short list! I actually listened to this as an audio book with Michelle Zauner herself as the narrator. I immensely enjoyed the food descriptions throughout (which had me wanting to YouTube some recipes and try making some recipes!) and found my mouth watering on occasions. The love that was shown through food in this family and culture spoke to me. I love cooking and sharing that with those around me. Michelle’s complicated relationship with her mother had to have been a hard thing to share in such a revealing way but this also must have been very healing. After finishing the book I listened to her band Japanese Breakfast - the album Psychopomp which includes most of the songs she wrote after the loss of her mother. Not having listened to much indie pop before, I rather enjoyed it.

I really enjoyed this book. I always love reading about other customs and traditions. I related to her several times throughout this read.