Frank is a senior in high school living in Southern California. David Yoon opens up the novel explaining the significance of Frank’s American name and his Korean name. His American full first name (Frank Li) consists of seven letters and his Korean first full name (Sung Min Li) consists of nine letters. Seven to symbolize the lucky number in America and nine to symbolize the lucky number in South Korea. By having Yoon start the novel in this manner, the reader gets a sense of how there is a divide yet a symbiotic relationship between his American and Korean upbringing. It’s supposed to be a bridge between two cultures.
Frank’s parents have the typical expectations of Asian parents when it comes to academics. They want their child to get a high test score on the PSATs and SATs, maintaining a high GPA and getting into Harvard. That is what Frank’s sister, Hanna, did. However, Frank would love to pursue a music career at Berklee School of Music.
Yoon’s voice for Frank is easy on the eyes and what I love about it is Frank’s candor. He delves into things like interracial relationships, grades, etc. and tells it how it is. He doesn’t sugar coat anything. I haven’t read a novel with a male point of view that I instantly connected with in ages. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this novel and this is definitely what I am looking for in a contemporary read.
Frank’s parents have the typical expectations of Asian parents when it comes to academics. They want their child to get a high test score on the PSATs and SATs, maintaining a high GPA and getting into Harvard. That is what Frank’s sister, Hanna, did. However, Frank would love to pursue a music career at Berklee School of Music.
Yoon’s voice for Frank is easy on the eyes and what I love about it is Frank’s candor. He delves into things like interracial relationships, grades, etc. and tells it how it is. He doesn’t sugar coat anything. I haven’t read a novel with a male point of view that I instantly connected with in ages. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this novel and this is definitely what I am looking for in a contemporary read.