ALL YOU CAN EVER KNOW
by Nicole Chung
What I find most interesting about All You Can Ever Know is the author’s ability to make me feel like we were sitting down to share a cup of coffee. Occasionally that feels like a deficit, when her descriptions or narration of events feel basic. But for the most part, the book feels like a fascinating look inside Chung’s life and mind.
Chung begins the memoir with the story of her premature birth to Korean-American parents followed quickly by her adoption to a white family living a few cities away. Because the adoption was closed, neither her adoptive parents or her birth parents wanted contact. So Chung grew up knowing almost nothing about her biological roots.
The author focuses her story mostly on her decision to find and reconnect with her birth family and how that develops. But she also spends a good section of the book describing her experience as a Korean in a white family and white town. She shares really interesting insights—achieved after years of contemplation—on why the color blind mentality does more harm than good.
Chung has an interesting and intimate story to tell and she does it well. All You Can Ever Know is not a page turner, but it is well worth a read. (Lily)
