The Rundown
The Year of Uh tells the story of sisters Nur and Diedre and their year spent learning English in Boston. Coming from Seychelles in East Africa, they are staying with relatives while attending English classes. The story primarily focuses on nineteen-year-old Nur, who falls for a South Korean boy in her beginners’ English course. Hyan-Woo is sweet and charming and the two try to get to know each other despite their language barrier. Meanwhile, Nur’s relationship with fifteen-year-old Diedre is fraught with tension and misunderstanding. Over the course of her time in America, Nur’s attempts to establish a romance with Hyan-Woo and rebuild the bond with her younger sister lead her to both adventures and trouble.
The Year of Uh is built on a fantastic idea. It focuses on young characters who aren’t often the center of their own story and gives them realistic motivations and thought processes. Nur, Diedre, and Hyan-Woo are all flawed, but sympathetic and the reader becomes invested in what happens to them. The setting is also beautifully rendered, with the action taking place across a lovingly and accurately detailed Boston and Cambridge. However, the writing is uneven. The book is filled with overly detailed metaphors and awkward epitaphs that can make it difficult to connect with the characters at times. These become more prominent throughout the second half of the book, making for a somewhat frustrating reading experience at times. However, the creativity and attention to detail overshadow the writing issues, making it a worthwhile read for both teens and adults.
The Recommendation
This book is recommended for readers looking unique stories about underrated characters. It is also recommended for teens who may be considering college in the Boston area, due to its detailed and thoughtful depiction of the region. However, some readers might be turned off by the thick writing style. This book is not recommended for readers who prefer streamlined, fast-paced writing.
The Rating
3.5 Stars (out of 5): Pretty good. For the right audience, this could be great. Sure, there were some issues, but it was still worth the read.
The Pros & Cons
Pros: Characterization, Emotional, Strong World-BuildingCons: Wordy
