54 pages 1 hour read

Celeste Ng

Everything I Never Told You

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng follows the Lee family after the mysterious death of Lydia, their eldest daughter. The narrative alternates between the aftermath of her death and the family's history, revealing the pressures Lydia faced to meet her parents' expectations. As the family grapples with their grief, secrets surface, highlighting the struggles of cultural identity and societal integration. The book addresses themes of racial discrimination and the pressures of parental expectations.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Celeste Ng's Everything I Never Told You deftly explores family dynamics, racial identity, and the weight of expectations through a gripping narrative. Critics praise Ng's sensitive portrayal of complex characters and evocative prose. However, some found the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a poignant and thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Everything I Never Told You?

Fans of nuanced family dramas and emotional depth will enjoy Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. Ideal for readers who appreciate intricate character studies and secrets, it's akin to works such as The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold and Little Fires Everywhere by the same author.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

870L

Book Details

Themes

Identity: Femininity

Identity: Race

Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride

Genre

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Modern Classic Fiction