Choi invites discussion in Yolk about the implications of these identities between characters as well as in the contextualization of the book itself. Choi digs beyond immediate emotions of love and duty to look toward the resentment and jealousy lying underneath-the darker and more competitive side of sisterhood and filial piety.įeaturing first-generation characters who come from immigrant families, the themes of family and sisterhood become more layered.

The complexity of her characters only makes Choi’s delivery more impactful, especially as readers get a glimpse into the conflicted emotions between Jayne and her sister June. The characters are unlikable in the most authentic way, all individuals who are deeply flawed but relatable in their authenticity. Until everything begins to fall apart when she is diagnosed with uterine cancer and forced to commit insurance fraud to receive appropriate treatment. June Baek is the successful older sister-the one who attended Columbia, has a high-paying finance job with a nice apartment in New York-the whole nine yards.

None of which is made easier when she finds out that her sister has been diagnosed with uterine cancer. On top of that, she attempts to cope with an eating disorder in addition to her depression and anxiety. And Jayne becomes the only one who can help her.Jayne Baek is studying fashion at design school in New York, struggling to maintain financial stability with a freeloading not-quite-boyfriend/roommate while surrounded by a shallow circle of friends. Once thick as thieves, these sisters who moved from Seoul to San Antonio to New York together now don’t want anything to do with each other. Jayne is an emotionally stunted, self-obsessed basket case who lives in squalor, has egregious taste in men, and needs to get to class and stop wasting Mom and Dad’s money (if you ask June). June’s three years older, a classic first-born, know-it-all narc with a problematic finance job and an equally soulless apartment (according to Jayne). Choi comes a funny and emotional story about two estranged sisters and how far they’ll go to save one of their lives – even if it means swapping identities. From New York Times bestselling author Mary H.K.

Yolk mary choi