Tastes Like War by Grace M. Cho

Tastes Like War by Grace M. Cho

For Grace M. Cho, the scent of her mother’s cooking—rich, spicy, Korean dishes conjured in a xenophobic American small town during the Cold War—was once the taste of belonging, of a vibrant life. Then, when Grace was fifteen, that vibrancy began to fracture, her mother retreating into the bewildering, lifelong landscape of schizophrenia. What followed was Grace’s own journey to understand the invisible war her mother waged. This National Book Award finalist memoir unfolds as Grace meticulously prepares the foods of her mother’s past, each dish a key unlocking fragmented memories, unspoken traumas of war and displacement, and the societal pressures that shaped a Korean woman in America. Feel the ache of a daughter piecing together a beloved, elusive parent through the taste of kimchi, the warmth of a shared bowl of soup, trying to bridge the silences wrought by illness and history. Cho blends intimate recollection with sharp sociological insight, revealing how a mother’s "madness" is woven into the fabric of broader cultural and historical wounds, and how the simple act of sharing food can become a profound act of love, reclamation, and understanding.

Why You’ll Love This Book

Grace M. Cho’s critically acclaimed memoir offers a breathtakingly original and deeply moving exploration of a mother-daughter relationship shaped by mental illness, immigration, and intergenerational trauma. The narrative beautifully blends poignant food writing with sharp sociological investigation, creating a rich, multifaceted understanding of a complex life. Readers will be profoundly touched by Cho's courageous journey to connect with her mother and uncover the hidden histories that taste like war, yet also, ultimately, like resilient love.