The Last Story of Mina Lee: A Reese's Book Club Pick

This book made me question my faith in humanity. It was so damn melancholy, and terrible things happened to everyone, and the fact that it was slow just aided in the sadness. I did think it was beautifully written particularly the scenes about food. Hated Margot. Did not want to root for her because she was weak, entitled, and annoying, and mean to her mother. Mr. Kim ended up sucking too, and there didn’t seem a need for that, other than to beat Mina down some more. Just endlessly self flagellating and depressing.

I’m not a put it all out there on social media person, but I just don’t understand moms like Mina and Anya of The Winter Garden who don’t share their life story with their daughters.

3.5 better than good, maybe not quite great.

“How afraid they were of each other. How impossible they seemed together. But if only her mother would’ve knocked, and Margot’s response wouldn’t have been, 𝘎𝘰 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺. If only they had a way to embrace each other and say, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐’𝘮 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵. 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵.” Trying to imagine Mina’s loss, pain & struggle…to say I was moved while reading her story would be an understatement. I’m always drawn to a complicated mother/daughter theme & I especially loved the deep dive into the relationship between an immigrant parent & their American born child - how this can cause a lack of communication & understanding in each other. Oh & the FOOD 🤤 Wow did this novel make me hungryyyyyy. Vegan Jjigae has now been handwritten into my cookbook my mom gave me & it will be a regular meal in my house for sure! All of that said, there were parts I was really disappointed with. The ending pissed me off so much & it felt way too rushed. Like Juyoon Kim tried to fit too many themes into one book, so some of it was wrapped up too perfectly while the rest was glossed over with little explanation. The “mystery” theme in the book didn’t feel needed whatsoever. I could have read another 300 pages about Mina’s life & the dynamic between her & Margot instead. Also, the gay Hispanic BFF was unnecessary & it seemed he was only added for more “diversity”. Miguel was a one dimensional, stereotyped character IMO.