A Heartwarming Story of Family, Love and Tradition: Lan Samantha Chang's The Family Chao

Jmarshall: I really rather liked this book. But the plot went in directions that I didn't quite understand, so couldn't give it 5 stars. I'm glad I read it, though, and it's given me lots to think about.

United States on Jul 28, 2023

L. Kucera: Looking at other reviews, I can agree that this is an updated Brothers K--which I loved when I read it many, many years ago (so many years ago that I didn't really catch the resemblance until I read about it). Well written story, interesting and believable characters, and a pretty fast read. Worth the time.

United States on Jun 01, 2023

D. Ruttan: I had very mixed feelings about this book. 3.5 stars rounded up. On the one hand, it had everything I was looking for, a cozy mystery set in a small town in Wisconsin with an immigrant Chinese family rife with drama and secrets.

The descriptions of the relationships of the three Chao brothers, the food imagery and even the community itself were quite atmospheric and cinematic, and drew me in with this kind of steady lull. It has a lot of the immigrant attitude of Interior Chinatown, which I appreciated.

On the other hand I struggled with the pacing. I almost DNF’ed it in the first third because I felt the story/plot was dragging itself out. The murder doesn’t even happen till the second half of the book. Ultimately found the plot itself kind of boring.

Wanted to like it more than I did but it had enough charming moments.

United States on Apr 23, 2023

Harvee L.: My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's amazing that a chance encounter with a stranger carrying a small fortune in his bag would lead to the downfall of the Chao family patriarch, owner of the Chao restaurant, and lead to suspicion falling on the three sons. James, the youngest son, helping an old Chinese man at the train station began the turmoil of events. Little did anyone know that the bag, forgotten in the back of a car, would be removed and transported to different places and cause a major problem for the Chao family.

How the three brothers stick together, however, facing the insults and disdain of their overbearing father during the illness and the death of their mother, and how they rally to each other's defense is admirable given the situation. Family secrets also prove fatal in this family saga.

I enjoyed the characterization of each son, so different from one another, and the plot in this domestic drama. There is a murder mystery to be solved, also, but I liked that the brothers join together in the face of possible, pending tragedy.

United States on Jun 02, 2022

Kindle Customer: Glad I read this deep dive into a family and community of diversity and humanness. Often I got lost..wished I had a road map other than my mind. Ultimately glad I came out the other end...I needed a description of many ingredients.

I feel as if I've been in and out of messy homes in need of a good cleaning.

United States on Apr 12, 2022