The Dim Sum of All Things

By Kim Wong Keltner

Have you ever wondered:

• Why Asians love "Hello Kitty"?
• What the tattooed Chinese characters really say?
• How to achieve feng shui for optimum make-out sessions?
• Where Asian cuties meet the white guys who love them?

Then you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll realize this book is better than a Broadway production of Cats when you read scenes that include:

• twenty-something Lindsey Owyang mastering the intricacies of office voicemail and fax dialing
• an authentic Chinese banquet where Number One Son shows off his language skills by speaking "Chinglish"
• dating disasters with grandsons of Grandma's mahjong partners
• the discovery that the real China looks nothing like the pavilion at Disney World
• karaoke

And all the while Lindsey is falling in lust with the "white devil" in her politically correct office. But will Grandma's stinky Chinese ointments send him running? Or will Lindsey realize that the path to true love lies somewhere between the dim sum and the pepperoni pizza?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 13, 2009
• ISBN: 9780061856754

Kim Wong Keltner

The only thing that keeps Kim Wong Keltner from writing is when she’s trapped under an avalanche of her daughter’s stuffed animals. Keltner is the author of The Dim Sum of All Things, Buddha Baby, and I Want Candy. Tiger Babies Strike Back is her first work of nonfiction.

Reviews for The Dim Sum of All Things

[jenson_aka_dl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've never been much for chicklit, but this one wasn't too bad. At the beginning I found the character to be annoying with her preconceived ideas about everyone, including the people closest to her, and notions about "collectors". She doesn't seem to want to be Asian, but has a superior than thee attitude toward everyone who is not. During the course of the book you can see the main character's attitude changing, particularly with respect to her grandmother and other family. It was this aspect of the book I found to be most interesting. I particularly liked the trip she makes with her grandmother near the end which also turns out to be almost a journey of self discovery. There was also the obligatory love interest included, however, if I were him I would not have put in all that effort as her affections constantly waivered. Honestly, if I had been shoved into a closet as he had been, I would have marched right then and there!Overall an enjoyable book, not high on the emotional heart spectrum, but entertaining and interesting. I would recommend it.

[jerrilynnl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An interesting adventure of a young Chinese American woman coming to terms with all her nationalities.

[chiffon_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely adore this book! Never was Asian American culture written in such sassy, witty and humorous way. It is a must read for every Asian American (North American) girl. I've read this book a few times over the past few years and I still enjoy each time. The protagonist, Lindsey Owyang is such a relatable and likeable character. The sequel, Buddha Baby is worth reading as well. I wish Kim Wong Keltner would publish more books like this. I'm a huge fan!

[doxtator · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Set in San Francisco, the story follows Lindsey through her daily life as she considers her Chinese family and what it means for her to be an American Born Chinese. She's on the cusp of many emotions--some of them conflicting--as she learns more about her grandmother and her family's history, and as she falls for a cute guy at work, who turns out to have a more complex background than appears at first glance. This is a fantastic, slightly quirky, and perfectly humorous look at being the next generation in a new country, where growing up always represents being a part of two different worlds, and that one can not simply choose one over the other.

[kikilon_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What can I say? I love her. I love her writing, her voice, and I must admit, i'm rther partial to the subject matter. I found it very, very funny, but if you don't know anything about Chinese people, culture and/or language, maybe it's not quite as much fun. I don't know. Then again, maybe it is. I wish I wrote books like this one.

[kikianika · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What can I say? I love her. I love her writing, her voice, and I must admit, i'm rther partial to the subject matter. I found it very, very funny, but if you don't know anything about Chinese people, culture and/or language, maybe it's not quite as much fun. I don't know. Then again, maybe it is. I wish I wrote books like this one.