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Jump to navigationJump to searchPermanent Record by Mary H.K. Choi (view source)
Revision as of 13:08, 1 November 2019
, 13:08, 1 November 2019no edit summary
I really liked the start to the book, as we see Pab's work in the Bodega (it's like a corner shop or convenience store for those of us not in the US), and start to learn a little about him. Having the story from his point of view is an interesting choice as I had thought it might switch to Lee at some point in the book, but it stayed with Pab throughout. I wasn't always sure I liked him very much, but that's sort of the point. He makes some really bad choices, he treats people terribly at times, and he finds himself stuck in a very, very deep hole. That does mean some parts are a little difficult to read, but the darkness in the book is also juxtaposed with humour too, which helps.
I like that both main characters are biracial. Pab is Korean and Pakistani, whilst Leanna is Mexican and white. There are flavours of the different cultures throughout, and as a parent of biracial children I love that there is more representation that they can identify with now in popular culture. It's important to recognise that biracial children often grow up within these dual cultures, feeling a part of both, or sometimes feeling a part of neither. As I read, though, I found that I wanted more from some of the secondary characters; for instance Pab's mum and dad have a very interesting relationship, that I would have liked to know a lot more about, and hiis his brother, Rain, is also an intriguing character. Seeing Pab's childhood would make another good story, I think, as I was really intrigued by his family and the dynamics within it.
The dialogue in the book is funny, and smart, and that really helps the characters seem real. As the story turned into more of a romance, with the relationship between Pab and Lee, I was a little disappointed. I much preferred seeing Pab's wider world, and everyone else in his life (I'd have liked more about the family running the bodega, for instance). But then the book flips again, and from young love it spins into Pab's downward spiral into depression. Not happy reading, but still very heartfelt and compelling. And, I felt, more interesting than the romance.
