Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant
By Curtis Chin
Adult Memoir
Curtis Chin grew up to a soundtrack of Motown in the 80s on Cass Avenue in Detroit, where his family owned a Cantonese restaurant. Chin’s memoir details his process of trying to understand, accept, and establish his own identity by race, class, and sexuality, which he found difficult, especially when these intersections contradicted and collided with one another.
Chin includes descriptions of his multigenerational extended family, which are touching, especially when relating their old Chinese superstitions and wives’ tales. Chin fondly remembers homework sessions with his mother, which were among his happiest memories of bonding with her.
In a racially divided Detroit, the diverse clientele at his family’s restaurant taught him not to be scared of people who were different from him, and the restaurant became a refuge for him.
Chin first discovers his burgeoning sexuality while looking at dirty magazines with his brother. He discovered he had different tastes than his brother, and coming to terms with this became one of his life-defining struggles. His first crush was Rudy, the “Filipino Fonzie” with slicked back hair and a cute dimple, while he struggled with having no positive role models in music, television, or film.
This is a fun and well-written foodie memoir filled with humor and bravery. Chin overcame his obstacles and realized his dream of becoming a writer, and taking this journey with him is well worth the read. This book is the Great Michigan Read for 2025.
Reviewed by E.J. Easlick
Hoyt Library
