Tastes Like War by Grace M. Cho explores the author's journey to understand her mother Koonja's schizophrenia, connecting it to cultural trauma experienced due to war, colonialism, and racism. Through reflections on food, Cho unravels Koonja's past as a Korean immigrant who survived poverty and displacement, eventually moving to the United States, only to face new challenges and racism in Chehalis, Washington. The book contains discussions of racism, sexual violence, self-harm, anti-gay bias, and domestic violence.

Grace M. Cho's Tastes Like War intertwines personal memoir and cultural reflection with emotional depth. Critics praise its poignant exploration of mental illness, immigrant identity, and food's connective power. However, some find its narrative occasionally fragmented. Overall, it's lauded for its heartfelt and insightful storytelling.

Readers who appreciate Tastes Like War by Grace M. Cho are drawn to poignant memoirs that explore themes of cultural identity, mental health, and family. Fans of Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner or The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui will find Cho's narrative equally compelling and evocative.

Contemplative / Melancholic / Emotional / Mysterious / Informative

- Tastes Like War was a finalist for the 2021 National Book Awards in the category of Nonfiction, acknowledging its profound impact and narrative strength.
- The author, Grace M. Cho, intertwines culinary exploration with a poignant memoir, creating a rich tapestry that delves into cultural identity and personal history.
- The book combines storytelling and sociological insights, as Cho draws from her academic background in sociology to explore broader themes of war, migration, and family.

**Grace M. Cho**  
The author and first-person narrator, she navigates her experiences as the daughter of a Korean mother and a white American father, delving into complex familial and cultural dynamics while pursuing an academic career.

**Koonja**  
Cho’s mother, a Korean woman born during Japanese colonization, whose life story encompasses themes of war, immigration, and resilience as she grapples with societal and personal challenges.

**Cho’s Father**  
A Chehalis native with a complex and contradictory relationship with Koonja, his character reflects themes of racial and cultural tensions within the family.

**Cho’s Brother**  
Cho’s older brother, who shares a matter-of-fact relationship with her, embodies traditional familial duty while managing their mother's care alongside his wife.

**Cho’s Sister-in-Law**  
The wife of Cho’s brother, she bridges communication within the family and attempts to care for Koonja using American methods, highlighting cultural differences in caregiving.

**Tanya Marie Luhrmann**  
An anthropologist whose work on the social factors of schizophrenia influences Cho’s understanding of her mother’s mental health.

Grace M. Cho

Adult

Autobiography / Memoir

Nonfiction

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Tastes Like War: A Memoir

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