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46 pages 1 hour read

Stay True: A Memoir

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | YA | Published in 2022

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Book Brief

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Hua Hsu

Stay True

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | YA | Published in 2022
Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

California • 1990s

Publication Year

2022

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Stay True by Hua Hsu is a coming-of-age memoir that explores Hua's college friendships, particularly his unlikely and deeply impactful connection with Ken, a Japanese American friend. Their journey of self-discovery shapes Hua's identity and creative endeavors, but their bond is tragically interrupted when Ken is murdered. The book examines themes of identity, grief, and the power of friendship. The source material contains racial epithets and descriptions of racism.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Nostalgic

Emotional

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.2

36,066 ratings

75%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Hua Hsu’s Stay True has been praised for its poignant exploration of friendship, identity, and loss, articulated through deeply resonant prose. Critics commend Hsu's ability to evoke nostalgia and emotional depth, though some note the narrative pacing can be uneven. Overall, it’s a moving memoir that skillfully balances introspection with universal themes.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Stay True?

Readers who would enjoy Stay True by Hua Hsu are likely to appreciate poignant narratives about identity, friendship, and cultural exploration. Fans of Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong and The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui will find this memoir compelling due to its introspective and emotionally resonant storytelling.

4.2

36,066 ratings

75%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

California • 1990s

Publication Year

2022

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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