Loveboat Taipei

I went in \’96. Till this day, best summer of my life. This book triggered some memories I had forgotten (this was before social media and not everyone had cell phones or email, so it was difficult to keep in touch with people), and what it did was rekindle some conversations with friends I hadn\’t talked to in decades. The story starts off a little slow, but necessary for character development. But once she gets to Taipei, the ball starts rolling and it doesn\’t stop. I forced myself to only get through 1-2 chapters a day, but a friend of mine bought it on my recommendation and got through it in less than a weekend. We literally devoured it. Kudos to the writer. I felt like she was writing about someone I knew on the trip, each character could have passed for someone I was friends with, or someone that I had met. The counselors, side characters, etc. Regardless if you had gone to Love Boat or not, it is a very nice coming of age book, it comes from a character that grew up with a Tiger mom. The generational and cultural divide that children of immigrants all live through.

I read this book in one sitting and it\’s 414 pages so that\’s saying something! I totally got lost in the world the author created and was sad when it ended. Loveboat is like summer camp and boarding school combined (and if you can imagine all the shenanigans that go on between those two things, then you can see why I kept flipping pages) but the book is so much more than that. For those of us not raised in an Asian household, we get a sneak peek into the pressures, expectations, and sacrifices that are made within these families…all done through love, but oh boy. It makes for rich family dynamics that Hing Wen makes specific to the characters but you can imagine it playing out behind the closed doors of many houses. I adored the characters SO much. I only wish I would have been able to see the drawings that one character draws (can\’t say who b/c that would ruin it!) because they sounded absolutely beautiful. I would love to see this as a movie and the author mentioned Hollywood in the acknowledgements, so I\’m hoping that happens. Highly recommend!

This was such a great read, and I had to ration it so I wouldn\’t finish it in one sitting! The character development and plotline were excellent. I kept wanting to know what happened next with Ever on her journey. It was fun to read, but I think also so important to hear the voice of someone living between with two cultures and trying her best to follow her passion and what she felt was the right thing by her parents and their experience. While Ever\’s is an Asian-American experience, I think it is something that resonates to any immigrant and the process of coming to one\’s own identity is universal for teens. I felt this story was so unique to what I had read and been exposed to as a kid and teen in the 80-90s. While Ever does not agree with her parents, she respects themnd the values they instilled in her are clearly part of her decision making. Many of the storylines of my childhood had protaganists who were praised and exalted for their independence and rebellion from their parents. The resolution was that their parents came around a better understanding of them or what really made me envious were the families where parents supported everything they did. In those kind of stories, it would be looked down upon to disagree with one\’s parents and then bend to their wishes. This storyline recognizes the complexity of these forces and comes to a very nuanced resolution. It is not a simple resolution or a feel good surprise ending as I almost expected. This kind of family dynamic is something I\’m glad to see published and make it to the NY Times bestseller list. The author really made the Taiwan experience come alive with her descriptions of the food, the scenery and the activities and the trips the kids took. I also felt like she really made dance, performance and even kungfu come off the page. Her writing is beautiful and I felt like I was there! This is a great book for adults, even though it\’s marketed as young adult!

I love this book so much! Can\’t stop reading it. And, I gotta admit that I was never the type of guy who reads books about teen\’s love and self-exploration but this book changed my mind and perspective. I would love to read more stories from Abigail Hing Wen. As an Asian, I resonate with lots of topics that were covered in this story. Especially toxic masculinity, stereotype towards Asian guys, and the want to honor your family by becoming someone that\’s not you at all. Unique. Fresh. Pure. Beautiful. I am so glad that I got to read this book and seeing proof that Asians CAN be protagonists. There CAN be romantic scenes, and the story CAN still be as interesting as other ethnic leading characters\’ stories. Highly recommend.

Loveboat, Taipei made me laugh out loud, grin like a fool and ugly cry! Its got a spot on my favorite-books-of-all-time shelf!!! I moved to the United States when I was a young teenager, leaving behind family and friends. This book made me think about my parents sacrifices and my own sacrifices, to be here. I can relate to this book on so many levels. The relationship between Ever and her parents reminds me a lot of my own relationship with my parents…I cried…I didnt think I would cry, but I did. I love this book so much. If you love the Disney movie Mulan you will love this book. It\’s about family honor. The romance in this book is so so good. I totally recommend this book.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member