Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner is an absolutely stunning memoir. The cover is 100% perfect because this is the story of how Michelle and her mother connect through Korea cuisine, the way food acts as a bridge, how Michelle’s Korean and American cultures get tangled together, and the importance of sharing of a meal.
Michelle Zauner, more familiar to music fans as Japanese Breakfast, has been published in The New Yorker, Harper’s, Bazaar, and Glamour. This memoir definitely has a New Yorker vibe with the 20 chapters working almost as standalone chapters.
At a basic level, Crying in H Mart is the story of 20-something Michelle losing her mom to cancer. But the story is rich with food imagery and how Michelle’s Korean mom loves her to no end. I think most readers will recognize Michelle’s struggles to grow up, and to escape the critical eye of her mother, only to find herself as an adult desperately wanting to catch her mother’s eye. The memoir is about forging your own path, while still being true to your roots. It’s a full sensory experience.
