BOOK REVIEW: Dim Sum of All Things

Author Kim Wong Keltner did a good job in weaving her story telling and mixing in true aspects of Asian American culture such as cultural ignorance from other ethnicities and stereotypes. Lindsey, the main character in the book, describes herself as more than just the typical Asian American woman, "she hated hip-hop and sappy soul ballads but liked Abba...she was terrible at math...instead of hanging out at the Asian food court in college, she had spent her days reading French fabliaux at Caffe Roma". Also by her "friendship" with Steve E., she broke the common stereotype that Asian woman are meek and submissive. This was one of the reasons why I enjoyed the book so much because Lindsey's attitude and personality is a realistic view of AA women of this day and age based from my personal experience and view of other AA women. Lindsey also experiences cultural ignorance from others when she was at the work place and in her art class. Her co-worker and her art teacher generalize all Asian Americans based from outer appearance, stereotypes, or actions done by other AAs. By touching on these subjects, it displays a continuous view of ignorance from an AA point of view and can be easily relatable to other ethnicities. The book in its entirety was enjoyable and humorous especially because the thoughts,experiences,and actions Lindsey did I found similar to my own life, like spraying my house with air freshener to cover up the smell of fried fish or cooked Filipino food based from embarrassment or having an Aunty in the family that tries to act hip and young.