Crying in H Mart: A Memoir

Crying in H-Mart: A Memoir is Michelle Zauner’s story about growing up as one of the few Asian-Americans in a Pacific Northwest town. As Zauner grows, she encounters discrimination and a feeling of “otherness” that leads her to lean away from her Korean heritage in favor of trying to fit in. This leads to rifts with her mother (who she calls umma), whose heritage is so important to her.

When Zauner eventually moves to the East Coast to pursue a career in music, she learns more about her mother and their relationship begins to blossom into something truly lovely. Unfortunately, her mother is diagnosed with cancer soon afterwards, leading Zauner to move back home and try to fit a lifetime of love, memories, and embracing being Korean into the time that her mother has left.

I loved the way this book meshed a poignant story with wonderful descriptions of Korean culture (and especially Korean food!). The author is a fabulous storyteller. I’ll be thinking of this story for many years––especially every time I walk into an H-Mart.