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Summary: That¿s not a moon; it¿s a book review.
Review: I really liked this book! It was a pleasure to read and I instantly cared for the protagonist. I easily related to the main character even though I'm not 20-something, a native San Franciscan, a woman, or from an ethnic background of anything other than predominantly WASP'y. The themes are universal and the author has an accessible yet very insightful style. Plus, I have to admit that I did always wonder what went on behind the closed doors of various mysterious looking Chinatown establishments - now I know. (Or at least I know to an extent similar to that of a fictitious first/basically-second generation Chinese-American who has a healthy mix of interest and distress in their historical roots.)
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Summary: fluffy but overall fun book
Review: i thought this book was pretty funny, and i liked how lindsey became more accepting of her culture and kind of got a better understanding of herself.as a black woman, despite the vast differences in our cultures, i found a lot of themes to ring true in my own experiences, just speaking as a woman of color. the description of "hoarders" was hilarious, i've had similar experiences, but i haven't come up with a name for them yet. but it all goes along the same lines, the appeal of the unknown, the exotic other. women of color have always been viewed as oversexed hot mamas or passive love slaves while men of color have been either portrayed as asexual (as in the case of asian men) or violent and sexually aggressive (black and latino men). i have to say, though, that i thought lindsey's relationship with michael was rather unbelievable. most guys would have gone in the opposite direction after being witness to all her neuroses. and i thought it was interesting, after all the talking lindsey did about "hoarders", after all the obsessing she did about michael, which borderlined on stalking, she rejected him and then found him acceptable only when she discovered he was part asian. it seemed like she was a bit guilty of the very thing she accused these hoarders of. overall, i enjoyed reading it and would recommend it if you're looking for something that's not too heavy.
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Summary: Great Read -- Buy This Book!
Review: I tore through this 300-plus page book because it was so enjoyable. A true only-in-San Francisco coming-of-age story, Dim Sum offers a wry, 20-something take on what it's like to be caught between cultures: Chinese/American, carnivore/vegan, etc. The writing is deeply poignant in parts, side-splittingly witty throughout. Anyone who has felt disconnected from their family history only to discover that it lives on inside them will relate to this book.
Rating:
Summary: an ok book
Review: I'm not entirely sure how I felt about this book. Being a young Chinese-American woman living in California, I was immediately drawn to this story, and there were many things mentioned that were easily related to and could have been straight out of my own life story. But there were also many other instances in the book that I found a bit offensive. The main character is, more or less, in denial of her heritage, at least at the beginning, and I found it hypocritical of her to stereotype her so-called "hoarders" when, in fact, she herself failed to understand her own culture. Like her, I am pretty Americanized, but reading this book makes me hope that I will not end up like her one day. She is less than representative of today's "typical" chinese-american young woman, and I hope that non-asian readers will realize that. Other reviewers have mentioned Amy Tan, and I can honestly say that The Joy Luck Club is more representative of asian-american life, at least I think so. (It was pretty cool to hear "hecka" mentioned in the book though :) yay norcal!)
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Summary: Great read for SF natives!
Review: If I didn't know any better, I could swear the "Lindsey" character actually existed. This is one of the better books that depicted the childhood/adulthood of someone growing up in San Francisco's Chinatown. In fact, this was so well done that it brought back a flood of memories and has inspired me to get in touch with some old friends. This will be one book that will surely be passed around to friends and family. To take it a step further, I think I'll have all of them replace the names of the characters with the names of their friends that best match the scenarios!
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Summary: Who Will Play #1 Son in the Movie?
Review: Kim Wong Keltner's "The Dim Sum of All Things" is a work of art 34 years in the making. It's a story that is rooted in reality, told with wit and humility. And, it has something for everyone. Chinese-Americans will instantly relate to it. Like dim sum, it's characters and themes are familiar, sometimes hot and steamy, maybe a little salty, yet still satisfying. And, I'm not just saying so because the writer is my sister... For others, it's a literary walk on the wild side. It dares to ask questions that I'm sure we've all wondered. (Although, I still hope the sequel goes deeper into the "local news - white male anchor, asian female co-anchor" phenomenon.) For me, the question isn't how long this book will sit atop the NY Times Bestseller's List, but who will play #1 son in the movie?
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Summary: About as addictive as crack (not that I would know...)
Review: Kim Wong Keltner's "The Dim Sum of All Things" is perfection - a story told with incredible care. Ms. Keltner paints a loving picture of San Francisco like only a life-long resident can. Her humor and insight are priceless. After reading the book, I strong-armed my mother and some friends into buying copies and they now hate me. Why? Because they can't stop reading the book. They all stay up well into the night, reading slowly so as not to waste a single hilarious or poignant phrasing. If she doesn't come out with a new book soon, I may develop the shakes.
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Summary: Whether You're Into Dim Sum or Not, this Book Rocks!
Review: Kim Wong-Keltner's Dim Sum of All Things is one of those truly engaging books that keeps you up all night because you just can't wait to read what's on the next page. Wong-Keltner writes with a humorous, laugh-out-loud, witty style that quickly draws you into her world as she introduces you to a cast of quirky, loveable characters that are as authentic and hilarious as any group of real friends you can imagine - sometimes even better... Oprah book club, pay attention, this book is a modern day tale of cultural balance and will take your readers on a journey into the heart of San Francisco's historic Chinatown. Great for sharing and well worth the read.
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Summary: An in depth look at shallowness
Review: Lindsey Owyang is the 20-something Chinese-American protagonist of The Dim Sum of All Things, a pleasant enough it of literary fluff. The story revolves around Lindsey's dating fortunes-more aptly, misfortunes-and her experiences with her extended family. Lindsey may be Chinese-American, but she has inculcated all the meaningless, narcissistic aspects of genuinely American 20-something life very well, as well as it's lack of perspective. (For example, quite a bit of the book is taken up by Lindsey's analysis and evaluation of the "Hoarder of all Things Asian" phenomenon-the habit of some Anglo guys to obsess about and solely date Asian women-while she seems oblivious to the fact she herself exhibits a corollary "Hoarder of all Things Anglo" phenomenon.) This book would not merit much notice or attention-or much of a recommendation- except for the fact that Kim Wong Keltner can write. Her portrayal of Lindsey and her idiosyncratic family is both warm hearted and at time touching. Her Sa Francisco is just as wacky and vibrant as the real thing and catches the counter-intuitive aspects of SF urban life very well. (For example, Lindsey is employed by a local magazine called Vegan Warrior. Just the sort of thing ones apt to come across in San Francisco.) The problem with Dim Sum of Al things is not the writing but the story. It's fairly waek, trite and has already been done a zillion times before. That it manages to rise above all this and keep the readers attention is a testament to Keltner's writing skills. If Ms Keltner can provide a story to match her skills I have no doubt that would be a book well worth reading. This effort is little more than beach-time diversion at best.
Rating: 
Summary: Awful. Truly awful.
Review: Manages to be dull and angry simultaneously. To say that the book has only a single note would be kind, as most one-note books do a far better job of working through the various connotations of their subject matter than this one. Ms. Keltner's idea of approaching the Chinese-American experience seems to be to surround her nasty protagonist with an unending serious of poorly conceived characters whose only purpose seems to be to spout something implausible so said protagonist can have internal rants that come across as rather offensive as well. ("Loot Summer Palace long time ago! If foreign devil don't take, communists smash!"- this is supposed to be funny? Or insightful?) Lacking in humor, a lazy, inconsequential plot, and featuring a surprisingly sour edge to it, all wrapped up in thoroughly pedestrian prose. Steer clear.
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