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Making a Scene
A powerful and poignant new book by Crazy Rich Asians and Fresh Off the Boat star Constance Wu about family, romance, sex, shame, trauma, and how she found her voice on the stage.
Growing up in the friendly suburbs of Richmond, Virginia, Constance Wu was often scolded for having big feelings or strong reactions. “Good girls don’t make scenes,� people warned her. And while she spent most of her childhood suppressing her bold, emotional nature, she found an early outlet in local community theater—it was the one place where big feelings were okay—were good, even. Acting became her refuge, her touchstone, and eventually her vocation. At eighteen she moved to New York, where she’d spend the next ten years of her life auditioning, waiting tables, and struggling to make rent before her two big breaks: the TV sitcom Fresh Off the Boat and the hit film Crazy Rich Asians.
Through raw and relatable essays, Constance shares private memories of childhood, young love and heartbreak, sexual assault and harassment, and how she “made it� in Hollywood. Her stories offer a behind-the-scenes look at being Asian American in the entertainment industry and the continuing evolution of her identity and influence in the public eye. Making a Scene is an intimate portrait of pressures and pleasures of existing in today’s world.
Growing up in the friendly suburbs of Richmond, Virginia, Constance Wu was often scolded for having big feelings or strong reactions. “Good girls don’t make scenes,� people warned her. And while she spent most of her childhood suppressing her bold, emotional nature, she found an early outlet in local community theater—it was the one place where big feelings were okay—were good, even. Acting became her refuge, her touchstone, and eventually her vocation. At eighteen she moved to New York, where she’d spend the next ten years of her life auditioning, waiting tables, and struggling to make rent before her two big breaks: the TV sitcom Fresh Off the Boat and the hit film Crazy Rich Asians.
Through raw and relatable essays, Constance shares private memories of childhood, young love and heartbreak, sexual assault and harassment, and how she “made it� in Hollywood. Her stories offer a behind-the-scenes look at being Asian American in the entertainment industry and the continuing evolution of her identity and influence in the public eye. Making a Scene is an intimate portrait of pressures and pleasures of existing in today’s world.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2022
467 people are currently reading
25.4k people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,415 reviews
January 2, 2023
3.5 stars. As a depressed Asian-American woman public figure who is also often perceived as arrogant/unlikable/annoying, I have a lot of sympathy for Constance Wu when she revealed her suicide attempt after her Twitter backlash. I’ve learned from past experience to make myself smaller, talk more maturely without emotion, and quietly go under the radar to avoid further scrutiny and misinterpretations of my character. But Constance’s book provides honesty to her flaws, and I really appreciate what that can mean for Asian-American women. I like that she’s emotional. I like that she can be seen as cold or bitchy or dramatic or annoying. I like that she isn’t perfect, because I am not perfect either.
I think this book would be enjoyed by a more niche audience; you probably have to already be rooting for Constance to get into it, and not be judgmental (a difficult feat for most of the internet, I’m sure). But the book gives a better idea of who Constance is as a person with several recollections from her childhood and early years starting out in acting. She’s a classic theatre kid who takes the craft of acting super seriously. The most “meaty� essay is the one where she talks about her experience with sexual harassment from one of the producers of Fresh Off the Boat, which consequently led to her more frigid perception on set and the emotional outburst on Twitter. I liked that it gave context to why she was so emotional that day she tweeted, while also owning up to her insecurities towards her co-stars.
The reason why I ended up being in the middle with this book is because the essays felt scattered as a whole, and sometimes random compared to the rest of the collection. More writing experience could probably improve her stories to be sharper (it's a shame that teacher who accused her of plagiarism was so awful to her!) I think the book would’ve been stronger if she had included reflections about privilege and race, and more of her experiences being on Fresh Off the Boat, Crazy Rich Asians, etc. The essays don’t feel balanced out with childhood anecdotes VS adulthood. If she writes more in the future, I’d be open to keep reading!
I think this book would be enjoyed by a more niche audience; you probably have to already be rooting for Constance to get into it, and not be judgmental (a difficult feat for most of the internet, I’m sure). But the book gives a better idea of who Constance is as a person with several recollections from her childhood and early years starting out in acting. She’s a classic theatre kid who takes the craft of acting super seriously. The most “meaty� essay is the one where she talks about her experience with sexual harassment from one of the producers of Fresh Off the Boat, which consequently led to her more frigid perception on set and the emotional outburst on Twitter. I liked that it gave context to why she was so emotional that day she tweeted, while also owning up to her insecurities towards her co-stars.
The reason why I ended up being in the middle with this book is because the essays felt scattered as a whole, and sometimes random compared to the rest of the collection. More writing experience could probably improve her stories to be sharper (it's a shame that teacher who accused her of plagiarism was so awful to her!) I think the book would’ve been stronger if she had included reflections about privilege and race, and more of her experiences being on Fresh Off the Boat, Crazy Rich Asians, etc. The essays don’t feel balanced out with childhood anecdotes VS adulthood. If she writes more in the future, I’d be open to keep reading!
September 12, 2023
Calling all Crazy Rich Asian fans!
Making a Scene is a memoir by Constance Wu, a star in the TV sitcom Fresh Off the Boat and the movie Crazy Rich Asians. In this novel, Constance gives readers a peek into her life experiences from her first job to her brushes with Hollywood sexual harassment to her Twitter moment.
This book consists of essays. Some of them are better than others. Personally, I really loved the story about her rabbit.
However, I wished that Wu would have utilized a ghost writer like Jennifer Robertson did in Bitcoin Widow.
Wu had the foundations of a great story, but the formatting just did not work. The book was structured around these very long paragraphs with very little dialogue. Making a Scene would have been better if the dialogue was punched up a bit.
The large paragraphs really got to me. Recently, I have been reading about how to write Instagram captions. One of the tips is to only have 2 or 3 lines together or else, the reader is overwhelmed and will skip over them. I will fully admit that I felt overwhelmed with these paragraphs. I would have really enjoyed the book much better if the paragraphs were broken down into smaller chunks.
Please keep in mind that I read Making a Scene on an eReader. I would be really curious to listen to the audiobook of this. I especially love celebrity audiobooks!
If I was purchasing this for a friend who didn’t believe in audiobooks, I would purchase a printed copy and a special bookmark which has a transparent center. This allows the reader to focus on one line at a time and helps keep the eye from wandering. You bet that is how I got through A Suitable Boy.
The other thing I think a ghost writer would have helped with is the saying, “It is better to show than to tell.� In Making a Scene, I felt that there was a lot of telling going on. For example, in one essay, Wu describes her relationship with her neighbors. She states that they attended all of her plays and chorus concerts. It would be more compelling if she described looking around for someone, and then exhaling a breath she didn’t know she was holding when she saw her neighbors, knowing that someone was supporting her.
She also wrote an essay about her first job in a bakery. Part of the job involved sitting at the bread table and making conversation with the team. I wanted to know the details of the conversations, even a little dramatization would have helped me connect more to the story.
Overall, Making a Scene is decent but I think that I would have enjoyed the audiobook more.
*Thanks, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
Connect With Me!
Making a Scene is a memoir by Constance Wu, a star in the TV sitcom Fresh Off the Boat and the movie Crazy Rich Asians. In this novel, Constance gives readers a peek into her life experiences from her first job to her brushes with Hollywood sexual harassment to her Twitter moment.
This book consists of essays. Some of them are better than others. Personally, I really loved the story about her rabbit.
However, I wished that Wu would have utilized a ghost writer like Jennifer Robertson did in Bitcoin Widow.
Wu had the foundations of a great story, but the formatting just did not work. The book was structured around these very long paragraphs with very little dialogue. Making a Scene would have been better if the dialogue was punched up a bit.
The large paragraphs really got to me. Recently, I have been reading about how to write Instagram captions. One of the tips is to only have 2 or 3 lines together or else, the reader is overwhelmed and will skip over them. I will fully admit that I felt overwhelmed with these paragraphs. I would have really enjoyed the book much better if the paragraphs were broken down into smaller chunks.
Please keep in mind that I read Making a Scene on an eReader. I would be really curious to listen to the audiobook of this. I especially love celebrity audiobooks!
If I was purchasing this for a friend who didn’t believe in audiobooks, I would purchase a printed copy and a special bookmark which has a transparent center. This allows the reader to focus on one line at a time and helps keep the eye from wandering. You bet that is how I got through A Suitable Boy.
The other thing I think a ghost writer would have helped with is the saying, “It is better to show than to tell.� In Making a Scene, I felt that there was a lot of telling going on. For example, in one essay, Wu describes her relationship with her neighbors. She states that they attended all of her plays and chorus concerts. It would be more compelling if she described looking around for someone, and then exhaling a breath she didn’t know she was holding when she saw her neighbors, knowing that someone was supporting her.
She also wrote an essay about her first job in a bakery. Part of the job involved sitting at the bread table and making conversation with the team. I wanted to know the details of the conversations, even a little dramatization would have helped me connect more to the story.
Overall, Making a Scene is decent but I think that I would have enjoyed the audiobook more.
*Thanks, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
Connect With Me!
January 13, 2023
one of the most important skills a woman can have
before this, i didn't know much about constance wu, beyond that she is the star of my sister's favorite movie which i have therefore seen too many times and also vague concepts surrounding her cancelation via tweet.
but now i love constance wu. and i thought this was truthful and funny and real and just a very good memoir.
and oftentimes memoirs are not good memoirs at all.
bottom line: good stuff!
(thanks to the publisher for the copy)
before this, i didn't know much about constance wu, beyond that she is the star of my sister's favorite movie which i have therefore seen too many times and also vague concepts surrounding her cancelation via tweet.
but now i love constance wu. and i thought this was truthful and funny and real and just a very good memoir.
and oftentimes memoirs are not good memoirs at all.
bottom line: good stuff!
(thanks to the publisher for the copy)
October 11, 2022
Giving a star rating to a memoir feels silly. Partially because I can't imagine the reasoning for picking up a memoir about a person that you weren't already interested in... It also just feels strange to go into a memoir with some kind of preconceived notions about what you're going to get out of one, even if you've heard people discuss it.
There were times that I felt the writing was a little too much. That the self reflective moments were a little too self reflective and had started to border on repetitive. I understand the book is called Making a Scene and I'm unsure if I needed to hear all the times that Wu felt pressured to keep from making one or that her actions were received that way. Not in that I didn't want to hear about that particular experience, just that I didn't need that takeaway stated the same every time we were done reflecting.
I did have a good time with the memoir though. I liked hearing about her childhood in Virginia, and how she was close to one of her sisters but not as close to her elder sisters. Her meditation on sitting in a car after work at various points in her life and just listening to the car settle is easily one of the most relatable things I've heard about a person, definitely made me feel better about all the times I've done something similar.
A lot of the conversations I've seen surrounding the book has been about the sexual harassment she dealt with in the early seasons of FOTB, and just as I suspected that was such a small part of the narrative. I appreciate that it was included, but it is easily not the most impactful part of the narrative. Ther are so many other moments that I will think about more than that anecdote. Not to downplay its importance, but there is just so much more material to discuss.
Again, I feel like memoirs are hard to recommend because I am not really interested in pitching someone a book about a person they have no interest in. All I can say is that I had a good time, I don't regret having picked up the audiobook and I will likely return to this at some point in the future for another go around.
There were times that I felt the writing was a little too much. That the self reflective moments were a little too self reflective and had started to border on repetitive. I understand the book is called Making a Scene and I'm unsure if I needed to hear all the times that Wu felt pressured to keep from making one or that her actions were received that way. Not in that I didn't want to hear about that particular experience, just that I didn't need that takeaway stated the same every time we were done reflecting.
I did have a good time with the memoir though. I liked hearing about her childhood in Virginia, and how she was close to one of her sisters but not as close to her elder sisters. Her meditation on sitting in a car after work at various points in her life and just listening to the car settle is easily one of the most relatable things I've heard about a person, definitely made me feel better about all the times I've done something similar.
A lot of the conversations I've seen surrounding the book has been about the sexual harassment she dealt with in the early seasons of FOTB, and just as I suspected that was such a small part of the narrative. I appreciate that it was included, but it is easily not the most impactful part of the narrative. Ther are so many other moments that I will think about more than that anecdote. Not to downplay its importance, but there is just so much more material to discuss.
Again, I feel like memoirs are hard to recommend because I am not really interested in pitching someone a book about a person they have no interest in. All I can say is that I had a good time, I don't regret having picked up the audiobook and I will likely return to this at some point in the future for another go around.
October 5, 2022
The main draw of this book will probably always be the sexual harassment by an unspecified producer of Fresh off the Boat, the show that gave Constance her breakthrough role. But the story that stays with me the most after reading this book is definitely the one about her teacher. It’s very impactful and quite relatable. Constance wrote something she was very proud of. And her teacher thought it was so good, Constance couldn’t have possibly written it. Her teacher accused her of plagiarism but Constance refused to admit it. So the teacher dragged Constance and her paper to every single one of her teachers, asking them if they thought Constance was good enough to have written something like that. Imagine for a second how Constance must have felt when one teacher after another said she wasn’t, right to her face. She was twelve years old.
It’s very clear Constance wrote this herself as she wrote from the heart. She’s very open and wants the reader to know who she is and what she’s been through. She’s not perfect. She’s not a stereotype. She’s a person with flaws and insecurities, just like the rest of us. And she did make some mistakes along the way. Not just that she didn’t want to make a scene whenever something bad happened to her. She does a really good job of telling us about some of the highs and lows in her life. From the experiences that led her to fame and her breakthrough with Fresh off the Boat, to of course the announcement of the final season and her reaction to it, which changed everything. Though there are also some things that readers would probably like to read more about that are simply left unsaid.
It’s quite obvious that Constance isn’t a writer. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because this book is written with real, genuine human emotions. But occasionally there are some moments where the focus could be changed to highlight something or someone else a little more, or where a story could perhaps be better positioned elsewhere in the book, � Just very subtle and small changes really, to elevate the book as a whole to a whole other level.
Overall, it’s not perfect but it isn’t supposed to be. It’s clear this is a story that needed to be told, as it feels like a story Constance needed to get off her chest. She can be proud that she did. And she definitely did it in her own way.
It’s very clear Constance wrote this herself as she wrote from the heart. She’s very open and wants the reader to know who she is and what she’s been through. She’s not perfect. She’s not a stereotype. She’s a person with flaws and insecurities, just like the rest of us. And she did make some mistakes along the way. Not just that she didn’t want to make a scene whenever something bad happened to her. She does a really good job of telling us about some of the highs and lows in her life. From the experiences that led her to fame and her breakthrough with Fresh off the Boat, to of course the announcement of the final season and her reaction to it, which changed everything. Though there are also some things that readers would probably like to read more about that are simply left unsaid.
It’s quite obvious that Constance isn’t a writer. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because this book is written with real, genuine human emotions. But occasionally there are some moments where the focus could be changed to highlight something or someone else a little more, or where a story could perhaps be better positioned elsewhere in the book, � Just very subtle and small changes really, to elevate the book as a whole to a whole other level.
Overall, it’s not perfect but it isn’t supposed to be. It’s clear this is a story that needed to be told, as it feels like a story Constance needed to get off her chest. She can be proud that she did. And she definitely did it in her own way.
November 2, 2022
Ok, I have a LOT of mixed feelings on this book... and I feel bad saying it bc I'm a big Constance Wu fan.
Honestly, a lot of the book read like a high school college admissions essay. After the first third of the book, I wasn't even sure I was going to be able to finish. There were a lot of unnecessary, boring details. Clearly they were important for the author, but for the reader... it felt like a lot of details were added to make it seem "real" which were extremely boring to the audience. I really didn't need a whole chapter about the details of baking bread or the intricacies of each car she owned.
The sections that shined though REALLY shined. Sections on Asian-American representation, sexual assault and harassment, and coming to terms with difficult family relationships really made it worth it. They were surrounded by sections that seemed disconnected and disorganized, though.
Also, a lot of the tone just felt really childish and immature. I respected that the author was vulnerable and came clean about a lot of her faults and mistakes, but it really rubbed me the wrong way when stories about faults didn't have a "moral of the story" or lessons learned. Like learning that you inherited some similarities of traits from your mother and coming to finally understand her--that's great! But neglecting to talk about how those traits like impulsivity and self-centeredness harmed others in your lives? It wasn't just quirky and heartwarming. It was really troubling. I ended the book on a sour note.
All this is hard though because it was SO exciting to see a book with Richmond representation! It's the first time I've ever seen my childhood experiences and placenames represented in a book. Playing in the woods and creeks as a kid, rolling down the hills and crossing ponds in the Japanese Gardens at Maymont, the kindness of Richmond strangers, those were all special moments to read about.... I just wish the rest of the book had lived up to my expectations. I think there was a lot of good stuff there, but it was just disorganized.
It made a lot of sense once you realize that Constance wanted to devote her life to dramatic acting and theatre. Because for most of the book, you have to put up with her being extremely melodramatic. I'm glad she found a place where those qualities are strengths, but it was just NOT my cup of tea to read... I rolled my eyes a lot. Extreme "pick me girl" vibes.
Honestly, a lot of the book read like a high school college admissions essay. After the first third of the book, I wasn't even sure I was going to be able to finish. There were a lot of unnecessary, boring details. Clearly they were important for the author, but for the reader... it felt like a lot of details were added to make it seem "real" which were extremely boring to the audience. I really didn't need a whole chapter about the details of baking bread or the intricacies of each car she owned.
The sections that shined though REALLY shined. Sections on Asian-American representation, sexual assault and harassment, and coming to terms with difficult family relationships really made it worth it. They were surrounded by sections that seemed disconnected and disorganized, though.
Also, a lot of the tone just felt really childish and immature. I respected that the author was vulnerable and came clean about a lot of her faults and mistakes, but it really rubbed me the wrong way when stories about faults didn't have a "moral of the story" or lessons learned. Like learning that you inherited some similarities of traits from your mother and coming to finally understand her--that's great! But neglecting to talk about how those traits like impulsivity and self-centeredness harmed others in your lives? It wasn't just quirky and heartwarming. It was really troubling. I ended the book on a sour note.
All this is hard though because it was SO exciting to see a book with Richmond representation! It's the first time I've ever seen my childhood experiences and placenames represented in a book. Playing in the woods and creeks as a kid, rolling down the hills and crossing ponds in the Japanese Gardens at Maymont, the kindness of Richmond strangers, those were all special moments to read about.... I just wish the rest of the book had lived up to my expectations. I think there was a lot of good stuff there, but it was just disorganized.
It made a lot of sense once you realize that Constance wanted to devote her life to dramatic acting and theatre. Because for most of the book, you have to put up with her being extremely melodramatic. I'm glad she found a place where those qualities are strengths, but it was just NOT my cup of tea to read... I rolled my eyes a lot. Extreme "pick me girl" vibes.
November 27, 2022
Frank & fresh! I enjoyed the audiobook format 🎧ðŸŽ
November 1, 2022
i'm not sure i've ever read a celebrity memoir (or any memoir for that matter) this self-aware and transparent
Wu includes moments that show her at her worst without adding on disclaimers for what she says or framing the scenario to absolve herself of any blame (ex. takes full responsibility for the horrid way she treated her younger sister and the consequential distancing between them; admits her pettiness and jealousy towards her Fresh Off the Boat costars and her unfair coldness towards them).
these inclusions that i'm sure would turn off many a reader only made me root for Wu more and more, and it made me empathize with her in a way i didn't expect to. i was by no means ever an anti, not even during that infamous tirade of hate she got after the FOTB renewal twitter shitstorm, but i admittedly passed judgment and didn't correct my thinking even when the hate against her grew to be far beyond the substance of the tweets and increasingly insidious
her honesty and openness were so refreshing, and as a fellow crybaby emotional nuisance who also ruins moments with her "big feelings," i really felt for Wu as she waded through these traumatic events feeling alone and ashamed of always being "too much". by the end, i felt i had really come to understand her, to truly see her fully as a person and not just as another celebrity far removed from my existence
my biggest drawback with the writing is that the stories Wu tells feel so scattered, and the timeline jumps back and forth between her childhood, college years, and her acting career without any clear pattern or reason. these organizational issues made it a bit hard for me to stay in-the-moment with some of the stories Wu tells, as the narrative then quickly shifts to a seemingly unrelated memory from a completely different time.
i think the emotional impact of each story would have been far better served with some stronger, more cohesive organization, but i absolutely still teared up at many parts (Wu recounting her emotions after the big twitter fallout and ensuing hate train had me hurting so much for her) and i especially recommend listening to this memoir on audiobook as Wu's narration drives up the emotions even further
overall, Making a Scene is something i would definitely recommend to fans of Wu/her acting work, and it does its job in providing insight into her character and the person she is/aspires to be
Wu includes moments that show her at her worst without adding on disclaimers for what she says or framing the scenario to absolve herself of any blame (ex. takes full responsibility for the horrid way she treated her younger sister and the consequential distancing between them; admits her pettiness and jealousy towards her Fresh Off the Boat costars and her unfair coldness towards them).
these inclusions that i'm sure would turn off many a reader only made me root for Wu more and more, and it made me empathize with her in a way i didn't expect to. i was by no means ever an anti, not even during that infamous tirade of hate she got after the FOTB renewal twitter shitstorm, but i admittedly passed judgment and didn't correct my thinking even when the hate against her grew to be far beyond the substance of the tweets and increasingly insidious
her honesty and openness were so refreshing, and as a fellow crybaby emotional nuisance who also ruins moments with her "big feelings," i really felt for Wu as she waded through these traumatic events feeling alone and ashamed of always being "too much". by the end, i felt i had really come to understand her, to truly see her fully as a person and not just as another celebrity far removed from my existence
my biggest drawback with the writing is that the stories Wu tells feel so scattered, and the timeline jumps back and forth between her childhood, college years, and her acting career without any clear pattern or reason. these organizational issues made it a bit hard for me to stay in-the-moment with some of the stories Wu tells, as the narrative then quickly shifts to a seemingly unrelated memory from a completely different time.
i think the emotional impact of each story would have been far better served with some stronger, more cohesive organization, but i absolutely still teared up at many parts (Wu recounting her emotions after the big twitter fallout and ensuing hate train had me hurting so much for her) and i especially recommend listening to this memoir on audiobook as Wu's narration drives up the emotions even further
overall, Making a Scene is something i would definitely recommend to fans of Wu/her acting work, and it does its job in providing insight into her character and the person she is/aspires to be
January 3, 2025
I was a late comer to Fresh off the Boat. I was offended by the title. I also had no desire to watch Crazy Rich Asians and only did it because a friend who had lived in Malaysia was so excited about it - she felt very connected to it because of her southeast Asian experiences. So I went and just loved her. Then I started watching Fresh off the Boat, and I loved her even more (and the rest of the cast and the show - gotta find Eddie Huang's book!). When her book came out and I saw her on The Daily Show and found out she'd been sexually harassed, not believed about it, and been suicidal as a result, I needed to read this book. At this point, I felt invested in her, and I'd been sexually harassed (more than once), and I'd been a suicide counselor. Obviously, I had to read her book. And I'm so glad I did. Her teacher was so wrong - she is a really great writer. Loved this book. My emotions were everywhere (broken down by chapters):
Impeach the President - I hope that girl is living a really terrible life full of grief
Of Course She Did - That teacher needs to pay reparations to every Asian kid with straight As for the rest of her teaching career, just because
Welcome to Jurassic Park and stereotypes - Made me jump up and down screaming, YES to every word.
Betty and Syd and Unfinished Mansions - made me nostalgic for the white lady at church who "adopted" me as one of her own grandchildren and for my parents and the parenting they did with my brothers and me.
Little Cassandra made me cry for her - YES! Redemption!
To everyone who ever hurt her (and me and anyone else): success is the best revenge, and all I can say to all those who did the hurting: suck it!
Making a Scene and Poor Shark - pissed me off (though Poor Shark also made me laugh big time, and I have to ask WHO IS MATT??????). It's just two more reasons I wonder if giving women a try is something I should really look into doing.
You do What I Say - one word: Ew. Couldn't help but look up the producers from the show. Pretty sure I know who M is based on IMDB. Very definition of toxic masculinity. Feel so sorry for his daughter, and yup add to the list of reasons I'm now the president of my own men-haters club (Little Rascals aren't the only ones with a haters club!). Also, people were unduly harsh on her. She was doing her best not to blow up her hard-earned career while being a woman. She didn't know then that keeping quiet was the worst thing she could do for herself or for other women. She made it right through this book, but she's also much more forgiving a person than I could ever be. At the same time, I realized (from reading this book) that the reason we forgive others is so that we can make enough room in our hearts to forgive ourselves, which is an enormously important and powerful act of self-love.
The Utmost Sincerity - wish I could take that program she talked about. I could really use more of that centeredness in my life. Didn't even know that was a thing. Will be telling all the kids in my life about it. Would love to see it be a part of all their lives.
Dressing Wounds - cracked me up, pissed me off, found myself feeling proud of her.
For any and every woman ever harassed, raped, victimized, etc. by unwanted men - FU!
To any and every woman ever harassed, raped, victimized, etc. by unwanted men - you are not alone. I said I'd been harassed more than once. I've also been nearly raped, flashed multiple times, groped without invitation (by men and women), etc., and it started in puberty like it has for so many of us. Parents, please stop raising boys to think it's ok to snap a girl's bra - pretty sure "benign" behaviors like that is where it starts. Also, please teach your girls to speak up - I had a teacher who had me give him backrubs in class in front of everyone with promises of an A. I cringe every time I remember how uncomfortable it felt but how I thought it must've been ok since it was a teacher asking and no one else was protesting. Now I wonder how many kids grew up thinking sexual harassment was an ok way to get what you want and how many of them remember me acquiescing like that without protest and how that might've fed into the perpetuation of their own stereotypes of Asian women as sexual submissives. Ugh - all you who think that, gonna tell you - that is a stereotype you need to get out of your heads!
Yup - that's what this book did for me - helped me to recall, feel, speak up, and grow up my inner child just a little further. God bless every awesome therapist (and if yours isn't awesome, find a better one - too many crappy ones out there too - at least from my experience, and if you don't have a therapist at all - it's ok to look for one if you feel even just a little off).
Read on audio and on Kindle. Great thing about audio is that you get to hear it in her voice the way she intended the book to be heard. The nice thing about Kindle is that it has pictures!
Impeach the President - I hope that girl is living a really terrible life full of grief
Of Course She Did - That teacher needs to pay reparations to every Asian kid with straight As for the rest of her teaching career, just because
Welcome to Jurassic Park and stereotypes - Made me jump up and down screaming, YES to every word.
Betty and Syd and Unfinished Mansions - made me nostalgic for the white lady at church who "adopted" me as one of her own grandchildren and for my parents and the parenting they did with my brothers and me.
Little Cassandra made me cry for her - YES! Redemption!
To everyone who ever hurt her (and me and anyone else): success is the best revenge, and all I can say to all those who did the hurting: suck it!
Making a Scene and Poor Shark - pissed me off (though Poor Shark also made me laugh big time, and I have to ask WHO IS MATT??????). It's just two more reasons I wonder if giving women a try is something I should really look into doing.
You do What I Say - one word: Ew. Couldn't help but look up the producers from the show. Pretty sure I know who M is based on IMDB. Very definition of toxic masculinity. Feel so sorry for his daughter, and yup add to the list of reasons I'm now the president of my own men-haters club (Little Rascals aren't the only ones with a haters club!). Also, people were unduly harsh on her. She was doing her best not to blow up her hard-earned career while being a woman. She didn't know then that keeping quiet was the worst thing she could do for herself or for other women. She made it right through this book, but she's also much more forgiving a person than I could ever be. At the same time, I realized (from reading this book) that the reason we forgive others is so that we can make enough room in our hearts to forgive ourselves, which is an enormously important and powerful act of self-love.
The Utmost Sincerity - wish I could take that program she talked about. I could really use more of that centeredness in my life. Didn't even know that was a thing. Will be telling all the kids in my life about it. Would love to see it be a part of all their lives.
Dressing Wounds - cracked me up, pissed me off, found myself feeling proud of her.
For any and every woman ever harassed, raped, victimized, etc. by unwanted men - FU!
To any and every woman ever harassed, raped, victimized, etc. by unwanted men - you are not alone. I said I'd been harassed more than once. I've also been nearly raped, flashed multiple times, groped without invitation (by men and women), etc., and it started in puberty like it has for so many of us. Parents, please stop raising boys to think it's ok to snap a girl's bra - pretty sure "benign" behaviors like that is where it starts. Also, please teach your girls to speak up - I had a teacher who had me give him backrubs in class in front of everyone with promises of an A. I cringe every time I remember how uncomfortable it felt but how I thought it must've been ok since it was a teacher asking and no one else was protesting. Now I wonder how many kids grew up thinking sexual harassment was an ok way to get what you want and how many of them remember me acquiescing like that without protest and how that might've fed into the perpetuation of their own stereotypes of Asian women as sexual submissives. Ugh - all you who think that, gonna tell you - that is a stereotype you need to get out of your heads!
Yup - that's what this book did for me - helped me to recall, feel, speak up, and grow up my inner child just a little further. God bless every awesome therapist (and if yours isn't awesome, find a better one - too many crappy ones out there too - at least from my experience, and if you don't have a therapist at all - it's ok to look for one if you feel even just a little off).
Read on audio and on Kindle. Great thing about audio is that you get to hear it in her voice the way she intended the book to be heard. The nice thing about Kindle is that it has pictures!
July 3, 2022
A really honest set of essays. Wu doesn't paint herself in the best light, in many of these essays. She is open about her insecurities, jealousies and pettiness. It's clear that therapy has helped her address her issues as well as own her faults and it's a constant work in progress. Wu isn't likable, and unlike other celebrity memoirs, you may not want to have a drink with her. But, that's ok. She's interesting and inhabits her roles fully. I suspect it's hard to have so many emotions, the way she does and I would love a second set of essays. (I hope she delves deeper into race and privilege in this second set, this book was more about owning her faults then an analysis of systemic racism and how it may or may not have effected her.)
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
June 27, 2024
It just really wasn’t my favorite.
You know when you just don’t like someone but you don’t really know why? That’s how I felt reading this book. It just felt like the title of the book was TOO on the nose because goodness did she love to make a scene.
I can appreciate her writing style and journey, and so many of these essays just make her look so bad…it definitely takes a brave person to bare themselves with all their imperfections in written form, but I just really found her unlikeable and therefore really didn’t enjoy reading it.
You know when you just don’t like someone but you don’t really know why? That’s how I felt reading this book. It just felt like the title of the book was TOO on the nose because goodness did she love to make a scene.
I can appreciate her writing style and journey, and so many of these essays just make her look so bad…it definitely takes a brave person to bare themselves with all their imperfections in written form, but I just really found her unlikeable and therefore really didn’t enjoy reading it.
November 16, 2022
"If someone stops loving you when your body changes, then they just don’t understand real love."
My first ever experience watching anything with Constance in it was SVU. I think everyone got their start on that show. (Joking. Not joking.) Believe her name was Candy. She really stole every scene that she was in. Then FOTB made its appearance and she always had me laughing. Such different roles but it always came back to her being a great actress.
This collection of stories from Constance's life goes from when she was itty bitty, to when she was a clothes-loving teen, to trying to make a name for herself in Holywood, and to when she became the face of a hit tv show. None of it came easy and she lays it all out there for us to see. She even digs deep for a few essays and prepare to hop on the emotional train.
I’m glad Constance finally got some things off her chest. Felt as if this was needed for her to face what she’s been through. It wasn't easy and some of us aren't ready to speak our truths. I hope her speaking out helps us heal and grow. You can see her growth as a person through these pages and I’m glad I got a chance to read them.
My first ever experience watching anything with Constance in it was SVU. I think everyone got their start on that show. (Joking. Not joking.) Believe her name was Candy. She really stole every scene that she was in. Then FOTB made its appearance and she always had me laughing. Such different roles but it always came back to her being a great actress.
This collection of stories from Constance's life goes from when she was itty bitty, to when she was a clothes-loving teen, to trying to make a name for herself in Holywood, and to when she became the face of a hit tv show. None of it came easy and she lays it all out there for us to see. She even digs deep for a few essays and prepare to hop on the emotional train.
I’m glad Constance finally got some things off her chest. Felt as if this was needed for her to face what she’s been through. It wasn't easy and some of us aren't ready to speak our truths. I hope her speaking out helps us heal and grow. You can see her growth as a person through these pages and I’m glad I got a chance to read them.
December 21, 2022
Narrated by Constance Wu herself, listening to the audiobook of Making a Scene is the best format to consume this content. This is the hill that I will die on.
Listening to this book felt like having a conversation with a close friend. A little scattered at some places, but nonetheless warm, inviting, and comfortable.
I am genuinely in awe of Constance Wu's courage to pen a collection of essays that are so admirably frank, transparent, and gloriously introspective. I've always rooted for her, but now more than ever, my only hope for her is to keep making scenes.
Recommended!
Listening to this book felt like having a conversation with a close friend. A little scattered at some places, but nonetheless warm, inviting, and comfortable.
I am genuinely in awe of Constance Wu's courage to pen a collection of essays that are so admirably frank, transparent, and gloriously introspective. I've always rooted for her, but now more than ever, my only hope for her is to keep making scenes.
Recommended!
November 11, 2022
i get the vibe that she's regurgitating narratives she's spun through therapy - there's a practiced self-awareness that would maybe be impressive if it weren't always coupled with defensiveness. I feel like she has actually had an extremely interesting life, but I have somehow had a bad time reading about it ?
January 8, 2023
� "I didn’t care how I sounded; I just needed to finally make a sound."
I feel like Constance Wu and I would make like-minded friends.
I love this book. I had so many thoughts and emotions while reading, but now I can't think of anything that can adequately convey how I feel. There was a very small handful of drier essays but I was completely absorbed for most of it and marked out so many quotes.
So much of this book was relatable, such as the suppression of one's voice and feelings, trying to be a cool girl and not wanting to make a fuss. I believe many women will also be able to resonate. The entire titular chapter 'Making A Scene'... damn.
I know it goes without saying that memoirs are honest, but I feel like the author took it to another level here. She's extremely self-aware, painfully honest and and doesn't hold back even when it paints her in an unfavorable light.
Might update this with more of my favorite quotes later. A lot hit close too home. Too close, maybe.
� "How could my pain be valid when I didn’t have a scar to show for it?"
I feel like Constance Wu and I would make like-minded friends.
I love this book. I had so many thoughts and emotions while reading, but now I can't think of anything that can adequately convey how I feel. There was a very small handful of drier essays but I was completely absorbed for most of it and marked out so many quotes.
So much of this book was relatable, such as the suppression of one's voice and feelings, trying to be a cool girl and not wanting to make a fuss. I believe many women will also be able to resonate. The entire titular chapter 'Making A Scene'... damn.
I know it goes without saying that memoirs are honest, but I feel like the author took it to another level here. She's extremely self-aware, painfully honest and and doesn't hold back even when it paints her in an unfavorable light.
Might update this with more of my favorite quotes later. A lot hit close too home. Too close, maybe.
� "How could my pain be valid when I didn’t have a scar to show for it?"
September 11, 2022
I’ve never watched anything with Wu or even heard of the drama surrounding her. It probably might have helped if I had as she gives a lot of background in regards to this.
The story seemed a little scattered in the beginning and end but the middle captured my full attention.
While Wu is honest, it still felt a bit like an apology letter in a way. Just a feeling I got from some sections. Perhaps she herself is unsure.
I really appreciate the insight Wu gives us into Asian American stereotypes in the entertainment industry. She begs people to see beyond the stereotype or label. There is so much more to each of us.
“Stereotypes are not harmful for their mere existence. They’re harmful for their reduction of a person or group. Reducing them to their most obvious attributes and exploits that reduction.�
Triggers for sexual assault and suicide.
Wu narrates so I suggest listening to the audiobook. Thank you Simon audio for the free audiobook.
The story seemed a little scattered in the beginning and end but the middle captured my full attention.
While Wu is honest, it still felt a bit like an apology letter in a way. Just a feeling I got from some sections. Perhaps she herself is unsure.
I really appreciate the insight Wu gives us into Asian American stereotypes in the entertainment industry. She begs people to see beyond the stereotype or label. There is so much more to each of us.
“Stereotypes are not harmful for their mere existence. They’re harmful for their reduction of a person or group. Reducing them to their most obvious attributes and exploits that reduction.�
Triggers for sexual assault and suicide.
Wu narrates so I suggest listening to the audiobook. Thank you Simon audio for the free audiobook.
October 23, 2022
I always struggle with whether or not to assign a star rating to someone’s memoir. I mean, who am I to really judge the way someone decides to tell their own story. That said, I also think readers want to know whether a book is coherent or offensive before diving in, and that’s why I continue to review.
This was one of my most highly anticipated releases of 2022. I had long admired her work, specifically, Crazy Rich Asians and Fresh Off the Boat, and her activism in fighting for better Asian representation in Hollywood. I had seen a few of her interviews leading up to the book’s release, so I also knew she was going to speak candidly about potentially triggering situations, like rape and sexual assault.
Unfortunately, about 30 minutes in, I started to think that maybe this wasn’t going to be for me. Much of the time, Wu reflects with great bitterness perceived wrongs that have happened to her in her life. They range from minor inconveniences like being asked a question she didn’t like to enraging experiences no one should have to face.
Still, there were moments I strongly identified with her, though. Like her impulsivity; her relationship with George; her wide-eyed approach to love as if it were a fairytale. All in all, while I did feel like a majority of this was “privileged people complaining�, I’m glad she seems to have found happiness and hope writing this gave her some peace.
This was one of my most highly anticipated releases of 2022. I had long admired her work, specifically, Crazy Rich Asians and Fresh Off the Boat, and her activism in fighting for better Asian representation in Hollywood. I had seen a few of her interviews leading up to the book’s release, so I also knew she was going to speak candidly about potentially triggering situations, like rape and sexual assault.
Unfortunately, about 30 minutes in, I started to think that maybe this wasn’t going to be for me. Much of the time, Wu reflects with great bitterness perceived wrongs that have happened to her in her life. They range from minor inconveniences like being asked a question she didn’t like to enraging experiences no one should have to face.
Still, there were moments I strongly identified with her, though. Like her impulsivity; her relationship with George; her wide-eyed approach to love as if it were a fairytale. All in all, while I did feel like a majority of this was “privileged people complaining�, I’m glad she seems to have found happiness and hope writing this gave her some peace.
October 13, 2022
Thank you @simon.audio for the gifted audiobook
TITLE: MAKING A SCENE
AUTHOR: Constance Wu
PUB DATE: 10.04.2022
AUDIO: @simon.audio
NARRATED BY: Constance Wu
LENGTH: 7h 53m
I loved the narration by Constance Wu - her voice captured all her emotions as she tells her story about the discovery of her first love, to the stereotypes in the entertainment industry, and then to the tweets that caused hateful lashes causing Wu to stay off social media for over three years.
I have enjoyed Wu in Crazy Rich Asians and her role in the first sitcom featuring Asian Americans as main characters in Fresh Off the Boat. It’s nice to see some glimpses of her life and the trajectory of how she chose acting over other careers - she tells a very emotional story of how at 12yo she was accused harshly of plagiarism by a teacher she admired.
The essays in itself had a unifying theme where in some chapters, Wu creates a scene, a dialogue - great way to tell the story and I enjoyed those parts immensely. Overall, I enjoyed the tidbits she shared though the story jumped around, it was still an enjoyable memoir that fans of Wu will certainly devour.
I read this memoir in one sitting! That says a lot.
TITLE: MAKING A SCENE
AUTHOR: Constance Wu
PUB DATE: 10.04.2022
AUDIO: @simon.audio
NARRATED BY: Constance Wu
LENGTH: 7h 53m
I loved the narration by Constance Wu - her voice captured all her emotions as she tells her story about the discovery of her first love, to the stereotypes in the entertainment industry, and then to the tweets that caused hateful lashes causing Wu to stay off social media for over three years.
I have enjoyed Wu in Crazy Rich Asians and her role in the first sitcom featuring Asian Americans as main characters in Fresh Off the Boat. It’s nice to see some glimpses of her life and the trajectory of how she chose acting over other careers - she tells a very emotional story of how at 12yo she was accused harshly of plagiarism by a teacher she admired.
The essays in itself had a unifying theme where in some chapters, Wu creates a scene, a dialogue - great way to tell the story and I enjoyed those parts immensely. Overall, I enjoyed the tidbits she shared though the story jumped around, it was still an enjoyable memoir that fans of Wu will certainly devour.
I read this memoir in one sitting! That says a lot.
October 16, 2022
this was stunning. every essay. Constance Wu is a gifted human being
May 21, 2023
It’s always hard to rate a memoir as it’s someone’s personal story. I appreciate and respect those who pour their heart and soul into pages for us to read. It requires courage and honesty to be an open book! However memoirs are also simply a book which I look at as did I enjoy it or not? Did it flow well? Was it engaging? Did I learn something new? Well this book was definitely a mix bag for me.
Some parts were really boring. For example when Constance Wu got her first job at a bakery, she wrote pages and pages on how to make bread and how the two bakeries were rivals. Boring! Than she wrote about the sibling rivalry with her younger sister. Just your average sisterly fights that truly didn’t add up to being anything extraordinarily. Boring! She wrote about several lovers, who moved her, touched her soul in very significant ways and how they always ended up breaking her heart. It came across as ordinary love affairs. Again nothing to see there.
The only very interesting and important parts were, where she wrote about her role in Fresh Of The Boat. How one of the producers sexually harassed her, how she had to fight back and find her voice and how speaking out cost her in many ways. It’s important to read about subjects that are hard to talk about. I thank C. W for her honesty about a time she struggled with being an Asian in a very White world (network tv). She also kept her silence during her sexual harassment as not to hurt or belittle the show because it was the first of its kind for Asian Americans.
Over all an OK read. Enjoy!
Some parts were really boring. For example when Constance Wu got her first job at a bakery, she wrote pages and pages on how to make bread and how the two bakeries were rivals. Boring! Than she wrote about the sibling rivalry with her younger sister. Just your average sisterly fights that truly didn’t add up to being anything extraordinarily. Boring! She wrote about several lovers, who moved her, touched her soul in very significant ways and how they always ended up breaking her heart. It came across as ordinary love affairs. Again nothing to see there.
The only very interesting and important parts were, where she wrote about her role in Fresh Of The Boat. How one of the producers sexually harassed her, how she had to fight back and find her voice and how speaking out cost her in many ways. It’s important to read about subjects that are hard to talk about. I thank C. W for her honesty about a time she struggled with being an Asian in a very White world (network tv). She also kept her silence during her sexual harassment as not to hurt or belittle the show because it was the first of its kind for Asian Americans.
Over all an OK read. Enjoy!
December 5, 2022
I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would. Essay collections are usually just okay to me, sometimes good, and the audiobooks are easy to listen to while doing other things. I am not very familiar with Wu, only knowing of her from the controversy she talks about in this book - tweeting she was upset her show wasn't cancelled. I've never seen her act in anything.
But I found this collection pretty insightful and compelling, and in many places moving. Even when she is discussing something that on the face of it, I don't have too much interest in hearing about, she manages to write about it in a really interesting way. An example would be the first time she fell in love. I thought this was just a really good essay about how sometimes people slowly change and no longer want the same things, and the way she writes about it shows a lot of maturity and insight into herself and other people. She's also just funny a lot of the time.
There are two essays that really resonated with me. The first is a horrific story when her teacher didn't believe she was smart enough to have written something and she went to all of her other teachers, in front of Wu, and asked if they thought Wu was smart enough to have done it, and they replied no. Absolutely devastating for a child, and it reminds me of all the teachers who dismissed me as a kid because I grew up on a carnival.
The second is the one about rabbits. Her rabbit has the same disease as my rabbit does, and her talking about the whole situation and also the fact that her rabbit is getting old and she will soon miss the little things really got me. Also she defends loving rabbits well, which is something that's annoying in our society.
The relatability of those two essays helped me empathize with her during her other struggles That's not to say I wouldn't have otherwise, but that's how people work - when we find reasons to relate to one another, it allows us to see things from the perspective of that person more easily. Constance Wu is a very different person with very different life experiences than me, but that's what makes memoirs so great. And I really felt for her in the "bigger" essays - when she was raped by a guy who didn't realize he had done anything wrong, and was confused why she stopped talking to him even though he wrote her a short story (!!). When a producer on Fresh Off The Boat sexually harrassed her and she felt she couldn't tell anybody or do anything about it. When she reached her breaking point and tweeted about the show, and the media backlash that happened afterwards.
I constantly say memoirs are a lesson in empathy and I really mean that. A lot of these experiences I will never have, but I understand humanity a tiny bit better having read this book, which is all you can ask for. The final essay is about her parents marrying without really knowing each other, and how she was always afraid to ask her mom's side of the story of how they got together for fear of driving a further wedge between them. The resolution to this particular problem is funny, touching, and has some life lessons attached.
I don't think every essay in this book was great, but I do think the ones that I really liked or appreciated are going to stick with me for a long time.
But I found this collection pretty insightful and compelling, and in many places moving. Even when she is discussing something that on the face of it, I don't have too much interest in hearing about, she manages to write about it in a really interesting way. An example would be the first time she fell in love. I thought this was just a really good essay about how sometimes people slowly change and no longer want the same things, and the way she writes about it shows a lot of maturity and insight into herself and other people. She's also just funny a lot of the time.
There are two essays that really resonated with me. The first is a horrific story when her teacher didn't believe she was smart enough to have written something and she went to all of her other teachers, in front of Wu, and asked if they thought Wu was smart enough to have done it, and they replied no. Absolutely devastating for a child, and it reminds me of all the teachers who dismissed me as a kid because I grew up on a carnival.
The second is the one about rabbits. Her rabbit has the same disease as my rabbit does, and her talking about the whole situation and also the fact that her rabbit is getting old and she will soon miss the little things really got me. Also she defends loving rabbits well, which is something that's annoying in our society.
"people often ask me, 'why do you love bunnies so much?' and I always want to ask back, "Why do we love anything?". Listing reasons almost cheapens the love, in my opinion. I don't have an explanation for love. It's also an insulting question. Nobody asks, "why do you love your dog?". Why is it that love for certain animals is understood, but others require explanation? Everything and everyone is loveable to someone, even if it doesn't make sense from the outside. Love isn't something achieved through merit, its something that happens with time. "
The relatability of those two essays helped me empathize with her during her other struggles That's not to say I wouldn't have otherwise, but that's how people work - when we find reasons to relate to one another, it allows us to see things from the perspective of that person more easily. Constance Wu is a very different person with very different life experiences than me, but that's what makes memoirs so great. And I really felt for her in the "bigger" essays - when she was raped by a guy who didn't realize he had done anything wrong, and was confused why she stopped talking to him even though he wrote her a short story (!!). When a producer on Fresh Off The Boat sexually harrassed her and she felt she couldn't tell anybody or do anything about it. When she reached her breaking point and tweeted about the show, and the media backlash that happened afterwards.
I constantly say memoirs are a lesson in empathy and I really mean that. A lot of these experiences I will never have, but I understand humanity a tiny bit better having read this book, which is all you can ask for. The final essay is about her parents marrying without really knowing each other, and how she was always afraid to ask her mom's side of the story of how they got together for fear of driving a further wedge between them. The resolution to this particular problem is funny, touching, and has some life lessons attached.
I don't think every essay in this book was great, but I do think the ones that I really liked or appreciated are going to stick with me for a long time.
November 24, 2022
My 7th grade teacher also accused me of plagiarizing and like Constance I will never forgive her (ms. Maiorca for any LC leopards out there). My mom is also not a tiger mom despite other people's assumptions. I also named my car and like the Wu family, mine also only refers to my car as Bruno. I also can't control my tears, I make a lot of scenes, and wow does it feel good to have a Taiwanese American woman say me too, don't stop doing that.
This was a page turner within each essay but not a page turner in between essays. I think that's why it took me a little longer to read this one. But in a good way because I felt like I could sit on each essay more and every time I returned, I learned something new about Constance. By the end there were so many vignettes that I pieced together so many new revelations about this distant actress who starred in the first sitcom that I watched together with my family, FOTB. The books I've read this year have shown me just how validating it is to read about characters who look like you, come from similar backgrounds as you, and who have experiences like you.
This was a page turner within each essay but not a page turner in between essays. I think that's why it took me a little longer to read this one. But in a good way because I felt like I could sit on each essay more and every time I returned, I learned something new about Constance. By the end there were so many vignettes that I pieced together so many new revelations about this distant actress who starred in the first sitcom that I watched together with my family, FOTB. The books I've read this year have shown me just how validating it is to read about characters who look like you, come from similar backgrounds as you, and who have experiences like you.
May 23, 2023
I gave constance wu’s memoir making a scene a 1.5/5 stars. It would probably be a 1 star, but I think my rating is generous, partially influenced by my admiration for Constance as an actress and icon for AAPI representation.
absolutely, she broke the glass/"bamboo" ceiling. her work in bringing asian american (specifically chinese american) stories into popular media and onto the silver screen was revolutionary for aapi representation.
but after reading her memoir, i honestly dislike her more than before, when i only saw her as a list of achievements.
so yes, constance helped shepherd in a new chapter (the first chapter!) of aapi narratives in the film industry. she also tells poignant stories about mental health, suicidality, and sexual harassment in hollywood. but her contributions to uplifting untold stories don’t justify.. literally everything else. issues with the book, her character, her storytelling, etc.
> tone
one of the feelings i have come to truly HATE is the fear that reading too much of an author’s work will cause my writing voice to begin to sound like theirs. that might be one of the lowest insults you can give to an author, but unfortunately that is how i felt while reading constance’s memoir. yes her tone is conversational and vulnerable, but a lot of the times it sounds downright immature and even contains contradictions. i was SHOCKED to learn constance was 40 wen she published this book; her tone was giving lovesick teenager/nine-year-old boy humor (boob jokes? :/ ) and it’s just disappointing that one of the aapi community’s leading figures reads so shallow and superficial in her most honest work
and when her words do take on a more mature tone, it sounds like she is quoting cherry-picked affirmations from a therapist. it’s usually self-affirming talk (warm fuzzies that excuse underlying issues and/or shifts blame), or inch-deep reflections/generalizations about life. very rarely did i read a line that i was genuinely inspired by; worse, some lines or chapter endings pretend to be profound, but without real substance they just ring even more hollow. especially the last chapter � there was a level of depth in the parallelism and reminiscent voice she presents, but not enough to properly conclude her entire memoir. i was genuinely surprised when i flipped to the acknowledgements page.
it all felt so loosely and carelessly wrapped up (if at all), and i was thoroughly disappointed
> superficial representation
the more i learned about constance, the more i felt disillusioned by her spotlight role in minority representation. i genuinely think that hearing her background going into these roles cheapens the representation she brought, because in reality there is no empathy or real experience in her acting; it’s all just that � an act.
in one of her first chapters, she glorifies whiteness, talking about how much she envied her rich white friend. i don't blame her for idolizing her friend, especially growing up in virginia suburbia, but she doesn’t address/articulate her internalized racism. she understands that there is something wrong here (she later describes feeling disturbed after being complimented for having a white boyfriend) but the race issue isn’t explicitly discussed, which at worst can perpetuate the hierarchical race dynamics she grew up in.
she also didn’t grow up with tiger parents, but was applauded for her stunningly accurate portrayal of the tiger mother. it does feel wrong to criticize this, especially because you realistically can’t/shouldn’t always cast actors with personal connections to a role (i imagine that pigeonholes minority actors and limits their opportunities) but venerating constance as a leading figure when she can’t speak to the experiences she represents feels fake, wrong, even.
> pick me energy
constance seeks external validation. so much. needs it, and it bleeds into her work. she often divulges in so many random details about making bread or sewing or fixing cars, almost as though she feels the need to prove to her reader that she actually knows what she’s talking about. maybe this is a product of her upbringing, or maybe she really genuinely cares so much about these details, but even then it’s unnecessary to prattle on to the reader.
AND MEN. she admits that most of her major life decisions (like moving apartments) happen due to bad breakups, and she clearly pin so much of her identity on external validation from men. it’s so frustrating to read, especially because she doesn’t seem to learn or grow from all the times these men screw her over. when she recounts experiencing sexism in the workplace, she still wants to be “part of the boys club,� and so she tolerates (even encourages) the sexist jokes/treatment in order to keep her job. and her behavior persists even when fame and contracts have secured her financially and she no longer needs to rely on male authorities for a job. though she’s a leading figure for minority representation and an advocate for the #metoo movement, she doesn’t address her ‘pick me� attitude or ever grow from it. hugely disappointing.
> lastly, the title.
i appreciate that constance gives a voice to women, particularly asian women, who make a scene. who defy stereotypes. that’s important. i appreciate that she was so vulnerable in the description of her suicide attempt and the aftermath that followed.
but the actual treatment of this topic, making a scene, is brief, sporadic, and barely fleshed upon. in general, she could have gone so much deeper and really leveraged the platform she has to put out compelling work about her specifically asian american experience working in hollywood. yes it’s addressed at some points, but it’s definitely not the focus, and i think the memoir's last chapter/abrupt ending really speaks to that (particularly the ending content, in which she creates a sense of nostalgia somewhat in reference to the american dream. i.e., she ends the book by continuing to romanticize whiteness and westernization).
maybe i’m just frustrated by a missed opportunity, or simply disillusioned from my previous view of constance wu. i recognize that too much of my personal input goes into my interpretation of this memoir, and i perhaps undervalue the essence of constance’s story by wishing she told it differently. but this is the best i can do to articulate the frustrations i had with reading this book. thats all, bye.
absolutely, she broke the glass/"bamboo" ceiling. her work in bringing asian american (specifically chinese american) stories into popular media and onto the silver screen was revolutionary for aapi representation.
but after reading her memoir, i honestly dislike her more than before, when i only saw her as a list of achievements.
so yes, constance helped shepherd in a new chapter (the first chapter!) of aapi narratives in the film industry. she also tells poignant stories about mental health, suicidality, and sexual harassment in hollywood. but her contributions to uplifting untold stories don’t justify.. literally everything else. issues with the book, her character, her storytelling, etc.
> tone
one of the feelings i have come to truly HATE is the fear that reading too much of an author’s work will cause my writing voice to begin to sound like theirs. that might be one of the lowest insults you can give to an author, but unfortunately that is how i felt while reading constance’s memoir. yes her tone is conversational and vulnerable, but a lot of the times it sounds downright immature and even contains contradictions. i was SHOCKED to learn constance was 40 wen she published this book; her tone was giving lovesick teenager/nine-year-old boy humor (boob jokes? :/ ) and it’s just disappointing that one of the aapi community’s leading figures reads so shallow and superficial in her most honest work
and when her words do take on a more mature tone, it sounds like she is quoting cherry-picked affirmations from a therapist. it’s usually self-affirming talk (warm fuzzies that excuse underlying issues and/or shifts blame), or inch-deep reflections/generalizations about life. very rarely did i read a line that i was genuinely inspired by; worse, some lines or chapter endings pretend to be profound, but without real substance they just ring even more hollow. especially the last chapter � there was a level of depth in the parallelism and reminiscent voice she presents, but not enough to properly conclude her entire memoir. i was genuinely surprised when i flipped to the acknowledgements page.
it all felt so loosely and carelessly wrapped up (if at all), and i was thoroughly disappointed
> superficial representation
the more i learned about constance, the more i felt disillusioned by her spotlight role in minority representation. i genuinely think that hearing her background going into these roles cheapens the representation she brought, because in reality there is no empathy or real experience in her acting; it’s all just that � an act.
in one of her first chapters, she glorifies whiteness, talking about how much she envied her rich white friend. i don't blame her for idolizing her friend, especially growing up in virginia suburbia, but she doesn’t address/articulate her internalized racism. she understands that there is something wrong here (she later describes feeling disturbed after being complimented for having a white boyfriend) but the race issue isn’t explicitly discussed, which at worst can perpetuate the hierarchical race dynamics she grew up in.
she also didn’t grow up with tiger parents, but was applauded for her stunningly accurate portrayal of the tiger mother. it does feel wrong to criticize this, especially because you realistically can’t/shouldn’t always cast actors with personal connections to a role (i imagine that pigeonholes minority actors and limits their opportunities) but venerating constance as a leading figure when she can’t speak to the experiences she represents feels fake, wrong, even.
> pick me energy
constance seeks external validation. so much. needs it, and it bleeds into her work. she often divulges in so many random details about making bread or sewing or fixing cars, almost as though she feels the need to prove to her reader that she actually knows what she’s talking about. maybe this is a product of her upbringing, or maybe she really genuinely cares so much about these details, but even then it’s unnecessary to prattle on to the reader.
AND MEN. she admits that most of her major life decisions (like moving apartments) happen due to bad breakups, and she clearly pin so much of her identity on external validation from men. it’s so frustrating to read, especially because she doesn’t seem to learn or grow from all the times these men screw her over. when she recounts experiencing sexism in the workplace, she still wants to be “part of the boys club,� and so she tolerates (even encourages) the sexist jokes/treatment in order to keep her job. and her behavior persists even when fame and contracts have secured her financially and she no longer needs to rely on male authorities for a job. though she’s a leading figure for minority representation and an advocate for the #metoo movement, she doesn’t address her ‘pick me� attitude or ever grow from it. hugely disappointing.
> lastly, the title.
i appreciate that constance gives a voice to women, particularly asian women, who make a scene. who defy stereotypes. that’s important. i appreciate that she was so vulnerable in the description of her suicide attempt and the aftermath that followed.
but the actual treatment of this topic, making a scene, is brief, sporadic, and barely fleshed upon. in general, she could have gone so much deeper and really leveraged the platform she has to put out compelling work about her specifically asian american experience working in hollywood. yes it’s addressed at some points, but it’s definitely not the focus, and i think the memoir's last chapter/abrupt ending really speaks to that (particularly the ending content, in which she creates a sense of nostalgia somewhat in reference to the american dream. i.e., she ends the book by continuing to romanticize whiteness and westernization).
maybe i’m just frustrated by a missed opportunity, or simply disillusioned from my previous view of constance wu. i recognize that too much of my personal input goes into my interpretation of this memoir, and i perhaps undervalue the essence of constance’s story by wishing she told it differently. but this is the best i can do to articulate the frustrations i had with reading this book. thats all, bye.
October 4, 2022
As I just mentioned in my last review of Steve-O’s newest memoir, I love memoirs and celebrity memoirs are an especially fun genre. Celebrities are so fascinating purely because they are subjected to fame and I find their insight truly entertaining. However, I was unfortunately disappointed again by this collection of essays by Constance Wu.
I’m not sure if the format just isn’t for me in general or if it was specifically the way Wu used this format. Her essays were all over the place chronologically and it was hard to keep track of exactly where in her life some stories were taking place. I would have preferred it to be in chronological order but maybe that’s just me.
I hate giving a bad review to a memoir because they are so personal it feels like I’m giving a bad review of the person or their life but as someone who reads a lot it’s really just about how the book made me feel, and this one just did not hit the mark for me. Some essays were ok. Her first essay was a relatable love story of an important relationship in her life. I enjoyed her stories about how she got into acting as a child the most. The best part of reading is being able to escape so as someone who has never performed I was most intrigued by her writing about community theater, auditions, and acting school. But Wu really didn’t reveal too much of the life of an actor. She didn’t even really speak about Crazy Rich Asians, which is really the only way I knew about her.
I knew she had tweeted something that got her into trouble but I have never watched the show Fresh Off the Boat which is what the drama was centered around. Wu does speak about the complicated feelings she had while working on the show which definitely shed some light on the incident. But I just looked up her actual tweets and Instagram comments and I have to say I’m really surprised by them. I can understand where she was coming from based on what she shared in the book but that still doesn’t make it ok to publicly blast the show in such a negative way. Wu knows she made a mistake and needed more space to explain herself which is clearly what she wanted to do in this book.
Some other essays just did not interest me at all. There is one about her high school job or the various cars she has driven which is a typical celebrity plea that she is so down to earth and just like everyone else. I constantly felt like she was trying to act like she was too cool for fame but it just came off wrong. I didn’t like her as much as I hoped I would, and by her I mean her narrative, voice, and tone portrayed in this book, not her as an actual person.
My other favorite essay was the last one about her parents. This is the stuff I genuinely like to read about people, their families and upbringings and complicated relationships. I wish she would have talked more about her own experience as a mother but it may have been too new for her or she deliberately chose not to talk about it for her child’s sake. Either way, I felt this last story was her strongest and wish the other essays would have been more like this one.
All in all, I wished I would have enjoyed this more than I did but as a serious celebrity memoir it was not very compelling. I think Wu has an interesting and unique perspective but it wasn’t portrayed as much as I would have hoped.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for an ARC of this book.
Read my full review here:
I’m not sure if the format just isn’t for me in general or if it was specifically the way Wu used this format. Her essays were all over the place chronologically and it was hard to keep track of exactly where in her life some stories were taking place. I would have preferred it to be in chronological order but maybe that’s just me.
I hate giving a bad review to a memoir because they are so personal it feels like I’m giving a bad review of the person or their life but as someone who reads a lot it’s really just about how the book made me feel, and this one just did not hit the mark for me. Some essays were ok. Her first essay was a relatable love story of an important relationship in her life. I enjoyed her stories about how she got into acting as a child the most. The best part of reading is being able to escape so as someone who has never performed I was most intrigued by her writing about community theater, auditions, and acting school. But Wu really didn’t reveal too much of the life of an actor. She didn’t even really speak about Crazy Rich Asians, which is really the only way I knew about her.
I knew she had tweeted something that got her into trouble but I have never watched the show Fresh Off the Boat which is what the drama was centered around. Wu does speak about the complicated feelings she had while working on the show which definitely shed some light on the incident. But I just looked up her actual tweets and Instagram comments and I have to say I’m really surprised by them. I can understand where she was coming from based on what she shared in the book but that still doesn’t make it ok to publicly blast the show in such a negative way. Wu knows she made a mistake and needed more space to explain herself which is clearly what she wanted to do in this book.
Some other essays just did not interest me at all. There is one about her high school job or the various cars she has driven which is a typical celebrity plea that she is so down to earth and just like everyone else. I constantly felt like she was trying to act like she was too cool for fame but it just came off wrong. I didn’t like her as much as I hoped I would, and by her I mean her narrative, voice, and tone portrayed in this book, not her as an actual person.
My other favorite essay was the last one about her parents. This is the stuff I genuinely like to read about people, their families and upbringings and complicated relationships. I wish she would have talked more about her own experience as a mother but it may have been too new for her or she deliberately chose not to talk about it for her child’s sake. Either way, I felt this last story was her strongest and wish the other essays would have been more like this one.
All in all, I wished I would have enjoyed this more than I did but as a serious celebrity memoir it was not very compelling. I think Wu has an interesting and unique perspective but it wasn’t portrayed as much as I would have hoped.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for an ARC of this book.
Read my full review here:
January 5, 2023
I have a lot to say about this book, and I’ll begin by giving Constance Wu props for writing her story, even though I found her thoroughly dislikable and highly unrelatable. Constance being unrelatable is a bit disappointing for me since I am also an Asian-American female who thought I would relate to her story more (besides the fame, etc).
I felt that her memoir touched upon more surface level topics than the more relevant issues of race and identity. So much of her story was focused on men and all her boyfriends. Of course the relationships one has throughout their lives is super important, but I wanted more depth in terms of her relationship with her family and friends. She did not really even mention close girl friends throughout the story.
The timeline of the memoir was also confusing. It kept jumping back and forth and was sporadic.
I made a ton of highlights and comments throughout the book of moments that bothered me. Overall, I got through it, which is why it is 2 stars, but it was definitely so frustrating to read at times and her entitlement manifested throughout her writing.
I felt that her memoir touched upon more surface level topics than the more relevant issues of race and identity. So much of her story was focused on men and all her boyfriends. Of course the relationships one has throughout their lives is super important, but I wanted more depth in terms of her relationship with her family and friends. She did not really even mention close girl friends throughout the story.
The timeline of the memoir was also confusing. It kept jumping back and forth and was sporadic.
I made a ton of highlights and comments throughout the book of moments that bothered me. Overall, I got through it, which is why it is 2 stars, but it was definitely so frustrating to read at times and her entitlement manifested throughout her writing.
October 6, 2022
I knew next to nothing about Constance Wu before I began this essay collection. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to her stories particularly because are only weeks apart in age (I'm slightly older) and it was fun remembering things I'd long forgotten that she would address.
I found her manner in telling each story to be engaging, interesting and humble. She admitted her mistakes and took responsibility for her actions good and bad. I would definitely listen to another collection of her stories and highly recommend the audio as she narrated it and that made it an even better reading experience.
Thanks so much to Scribner Books for the gifted ARC and Libro.fm for the gifted ALC.
Review Date: 10/6/2022
Publication Date: 10/04/2022
I found her manner in telling each story to be engaging, interesting and humble. She admitted her mistakes and took responsibility for her actions good and bad. I would definitely listen to another collection of her stories and highly recommend the audio as she narrated it and that made it an even better reading experience.
Thanks so much to Scribner Books for the gifted ARC and Libro.fm for the gifted ALC.
Review Date: 10/6/2022
Publication Date: 10/04/2022
May 14, 2023
2.5 Stars overall but rounded up because of how strong I connected to some of the anecdotes
The essays that were good were really good!
But the lack of consistency in the timeline was jarring, going from her childhood to her time on FOB back to high school made it hard to stay emotionally connected.
The essays that were good were really good!
But the lack of consistency in the timeline was jarring, going from her childhood to her time on FOB back to high school made it hard to stay emotionally connected.
August 24, 2024
they could never make me hate you queen!!! city girls unite!!
girl's been through too much.
girl i also cry because i'm angry or frustrated and i can't do shit to fix it.
...u should all watch Eastsiders.
girl's been through too much.
girl i also cry because i'm angry or frustrated and i can't do shit to fix it.
...u should all watch Eastsiders.
November 15, 2022
In Making a Scene, Constance Wu writes about growing up as someone who likes (you guessed it) making scenes, dating, economic struggles, and recovering from rape and trauma. Her essays are personal, straight to the point, and utterly unapologetic.
Full disclaimer, I am a big fan of Constance Wu. I wrote my undergrad thesis about Asian American representation in media and I dedicated a chunk of it to Fress Off thÌýBoat and Asian American activism (before she quit social media, she was active in that sphere). When she came out and talked about her suicide attempts and the sexual harassment she suffered on the FOtB set, I was heartbroken. Seeing how she was shunned for speaking up and hearing her talk about how responsible she felt for 'tainting' the only Asian American show on TV at the moment, was just sad.
I won't lie, Making a Scene was a bit of a mess. The essays feel all over the place, but I still found something to learn from all of them, so I'm rounding this up to a 5 stars. A couple of the essays hit me straight in the feels, 'Making a Scene' and 'You Do What I Say'; 'Welcome to Jurassic Park' was really good and it had a good conversation about race consciousness and pride in FOtB; and I think I need to give a special mention to 'Poor Shark' because it made me crack up, what a douche seriously. The stuff I could have done without is all the sex things, but that's just me not caring about it all.
I won't point fingers, but I hope this memoir gets more attention. We've all been reading the one celebrity memoir lately (you know, the one that shares tips about how to have an eating disorder) and I think the mental health talk and discussions about how to recover from trauma that Wu covers may be more beneficial for people, yeah?
Full disclaimer, I am a big fan of Constance Wu. I wrote my undergrad thesis about Asian American representation in media and I dedicated a chunk of it to Fress Off thÌýBoat and Asian American activism (before she quit social media, she was active in that sphere). When she came out and talked about her suicide attempts and the sexual harassment she suffered on the FOtB set, I was heartbroken. Seeing how she was shunned for speaking up and hearing her talk about how responsible she felt for 'tainting' the only Asian American show on TV at the moment, was just sad.
I won't lie, Making a Scene was a bit of a mess. The essays feel all over the place, but I still found something to learn from all of them, so I'm rounding this up to a 5 stars. A couple of the essays hit me straight in the feels, 'Making a Scene' and 'You Do What I Say'; 'Welcome to Jurassic Park' was really good and it had a good conversation about race consciousness and pride in FOtB; and I think I need to give a special mention to 'Poor Shark' because it made me crack up, what a douche seriously. The stuff I could have done without is all the sex things, but that's just me not caring about it all.
I won't point fingers, but I hope this memoir gets more attention. We've all been reading the one celebrity memoir lately (you know, the one that shares tips about how to have an eating disorder) and I think the mental health talk and discussions about how to recover from trauma that Wu covers may be more beneficial for people, yeah?
October 9, 2022
I'm actually really impressed with the way that this was written. I don't usually like memoirs but I'm a big fan of the way that Constance switched between first and third person and used "making a scene" as a multi-level metaphor. It's a really fun writing style and I was honestly gripped by it the entire time.
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