American Born Chinese had been on my tbr for ages and the recent series adaptation pushed me to finally cross this from my reading list. It is a captivating and introspective read that explores themes of cultural identity, assimilation and the impact of stereotypes, by weaving together three distinct storylines.

The first storyline explores the experiences of Jin Wang, a Chinese-American boy navigating the challenges of fitting in at a predominantly white school. The second storyline revolves around the legendary Monkey King, a character from Chinese folklore who faces discrimination and seeks acceptance among the gods. Lastly, there is the story of Chin-Kee, a stereotypical and offensive caricature of a Chinese exchange student who visits his all-American cousin.

Yang skillfully weaves together humour, mythology, and social commentary to create a thought-provoking narrative. The incorporation of the Monkey King's story and the character of Chin-Kee is quite clever as it exposes and deconstructs the harmful effects of cultural and racial caricatures.

The book's artwork is a blend of traditional comic book styles with influences from Chinese folklore and culture and perfectly complements the storytelling. They not only capture the emotions of the characters but also enhance the exploration of the themes.

That being said, I had an issue with the overall execution of the story, especially the ending. I loved how the three different storylines were merged in the end, but the way that was done was abrupt and fell flat. It was rather quick. I wanted to see more of Jin Wang coming to terms with his cultural identity and accepting himself as he was.

However, it is a heartfelt exploration of the struggle to balance cultural heritage with societal expectations and what it means to navigate between two cultures. It reminds readers of the importance of embracing one's true identity and heritage while challenging harmful stereotypes. Definitely worth reading.