“Frankly In Love,” is frankly one of the most complete, best books I have had the pleasure of reading in quite some time.
Full stop.
“Frankly in Love” is the story of Frank Li, your typical, slightly dorky teenager who is also completely atypically stuck between two worlds. On one, is California, USA where he has grown up his whole life, and done all the sort of things any normal teenager would do. On the other, is his Korean side, situated with his mom and dad, who moved to the United States many years ago but continue to insulate themselves in Korea and Korean society, looking at anything outside it with distrustful scorn. So when Frank finds himself falling for his first girlfriend, Brit, everything would be great if she wasn’t...well...white.
Because, you see, his parents would be much more inclined for him to date someone who was Korean. Especially when Frank’s sister Hanna brought home her boyfriend one holiday and his parents were not exactly thrilled to meet him. So Frank decides the only way he can fool his parents is by convincing them he is dating Joy Song, a long time family friend who’s been having some relationship problems with her parents as well. That way, they can continue to see their respective partners while making it seem they are going out on “dates” together. But of course, like all things, what sounds simple at first will turn out to be very, very complicated.
Frank is one of the most relatable characters I’ve gotten to “meet” in a story. His actions throughout speak of a guy trying to get a hold in a world that’s confusing enough as you are growing up, and no doubt even more when you have the added burden of traditional influences competing with natural feelings. and experiences. The book itself is written in the first person, with a level of humor that really lends itself well throughout the book, keeping things both light and heavy with perfectly equal doses. It is often said that one should write what they know, and this book clearly demonstrates David Yoon’s own personal biography and experiences, albeit obviously with fictional elements.
In the end, you can’t help but like this book because it doesn’t have to try that hard to be liked. The drama in this flows so authentically it reads more like a diary then fictional storytelling. Frankly, you’re going to love this book long after you finish reading whether you are a teen, adult, or stuck somewhere in between. This is both an assured and winning debut!
Full stop.
“Frankly in Love” is the story of Frank Li, your typical, slightly dorky teenager who is also completely atypically stuck between two worlds. On one, is California, USA where he has grown up his whole life, and done all the sort of things any normal teenager would do. On the other, is his Korean side, situated with his mom and dad, who moved to the United States many years ago but continue to insulate themselves in Korea and Korean society, looking at anything outside it with distrustful scorn. So when Frank finds himself falling for his first girlfriend, Brit, everything would be great if she wasn’t...well...white.
Because, you see, his parents would be much more inclined for him to date someone who was Korean. Especially when Frank’s sister Hanna brought home her boyfriend one holiday and his parents were not exactly thrilled to meet him. So Frank decides the only way he can fool his parents is by convincing them he is dating Joy Song, a long time family friend who’s been having some relationship problems with her parents as well. That way, they can continue to see their respective partners while making it seem they are going out on “dates” together. But of course, like all things, what sounds simple at first will turn out to be very, very complicated.
Frank is one of the most relatable characters I’ve gotten to “meet” in a story. His actions throughout speak of a guy trying to get a hold in a world that’s confusing enough as you are growing up, and no doubt even more when you have the added burden of traditional influences competing with natural feelings. and experiences. The book itself is written in the first person, with a level of humor that really lends itself well throughout the book, keeping things both light and heavy with perfectly equal doses. It is often said that one should write what they know, and this book clearly demonstrates David Yoon’s own personal biography and experiences, albeit obviously with fictional elements.
In the end, you can’t help but like this book because it doesn’t have to try that hard to be liked. The drama in this flows so authentically it reads more like a diary then fictional storytelling. Frankly, you’re going to love this book long after you finish reading whether you are a teen, adult, or stuck somewhere in between. This is both an assured and winning debut!