Page 3 of 4
There are currently 28 member reviews
for Next Time Will Be Our Turn
-
Dawn Z. (Canton, MI)
A heartfelt coming-of-age story with some jarring details
Next Time Will Be Our Turn by Jesse Q. Sutanto is, at its heart, a tender love story framed as a grandmother sharing her past with her sixteen-year-old granddaughter. Magnolia, now seventy-three, recounts her own teenage years and the ways love, identity, and culture shaped her. The structure is ambitious and creative, and I found myself pulled in by the intimacy of her voice.
That said, a few elements felt jarring. Magnolia is sixteen in 1998, yet in the "present day" chapters she is seventy-three, which places the book's present in 2055. Oddly, there is nothing futuristic in those sections to reflect that jump forward in time, which was disorienting. The amount of texting in the late 1990s also didn't ring true to my own memories of the era's clunky, number-pad phones. And on a tonal level, some of Magnolia's very frank descriptions of her sexual encounters—shared directly with Izzy—felt off. I couldn't help thinking: what granddaughter wants to hear about her grandmother's wedding night?
If you can set aside those issues, though, the novel shines as an LGBTQ coming-of-age story. Magnolia's Chinese-Indonesian heritage is woven throughout in ways that felt fresh and engaging, offering a perspective I don't often encounter in fiction. Her journey of self-discovery, her experiences with love, and her struggles with family expectations gave the book real emotional weight.
For me, the novel works best when read as a story about memory and identity rather than as a strictly realistic account of time or family conversations. Sutanto has written an affecting exploration of queerness, love, and cultural identity across generations.
-
Jaye S. (Chicago, IL)
A family story, a story of self-sacrifice...are they often the same?
A moving, lovely tale of IndoChinese sisters making their way in California college life, learning about the culture, about themselves and about relationships of all kinds. Both girls return to Indonesia but face career stagnation that lands them back in California. Significant complications arise and one of the characters makes some tough self-sacrificing choices. The voice in this novel is one of our main characters, telling her story to a granddaugher who is struggling with "fitting in". A very smooth read, emotional, not contrived....an underlying theme of self sacrifice for the good of others. Very much recommended
-
Katherine C. (Cheshire, CT)
A quick, though provoking read
This was a very quick, engaging book. It could have been a sappy romance but it was so much more. LGBT issues, misogyny, generational trauma, domestic violence and grief were all issues that were dealt with compassionately. The author developed her main characters well but her female characters fleshed out better than the males. They were all pretty two dimensional.
The writing provided humor, intrigue and the opportunity for a more than a few tears.
-
Rebecca M. (Gulfport, FL)
First Time Author For Me
I was unsure what to expect with this book, but I enjoyed the story quite well. It starts with a shocking moment while the entire family is gathered for Chinese New Year & the matriarch, Nainai ( Magnolia) shocks her entire family with a guest. Her granddaughter Izzy is going through teen life questioning moments & after this surprising event with the family, Izzy, 16, reaches out to her grandmother with questions. This takes us on a history back when Magnolia was 16 & sent to the US for an education & to live with her 2 year older sister, Iris. The main reason for young Indo-Chinese females to achieve higher education in America for honor & prestige to the family back home & ultimately to meet & marry a successful man. Listening to Magnolia share her story with Izzy was moving at times, satisfying at other times & sad in some too.
-
April C. (Rochester, MN)
Maybe Next Time…
"Next Time Will Be Our Turn" is an emotionally resonant tale that will have you both laughing and crying. If you've grown up in a religious environment and faced the pressures of compulsory heterosexuality, you'll see yourself in this story. Even if you haven't, it conveys the struggle many people endure. The themes of love lost, love claimed, and the bonds of love are beautifully explored at multiple levels. Also, I wish I had a nainai like Izzy's!
-
Charity M. (Herndon, VA)
An inter-generational heart wrenching and heartwarming tale
This edgy novel begins when teenage Izzy and her family are shocked by the family matriarch showing up to dinner with a woman on her arm. The conservative values of their family and culture don't allow for same sex relationships, and everyone is scandalized.
When Izzy's grandmother tells her story, we are taken on a journey of self-discovery and cultural navigation that is simultaneously inspiring and heartbreaking.
Lovable characters and a compelling narrative make this one a must-read. Just keep your box of tissues close.
-
Wendy F. (Kalamazoo, MI)
Laughter and Tears
I so enjoy Jesse Q. Sutanto's writing! She takes on real issues with grace and humor. This time we hear Magnolia's story as she shares it with grandaughter Izzy. This book addresses our patriarchal society, especially focusing on Indo-Chinese culture. Each chapter gives us more insight into what made Magnolia who she has become. Gaining an understanding of cultural norms from other countries is what we really need in these times of division. Jessie makes us laugh and cry through the adventures of a young girl finding her way in the world.
