The Last Story of Mina Lee

THE LAST STORY OF MINA LEE defies simple categorization. One part family drama, one part mystery, it alternates timelines and perspective to reveal what happened to Mina with underlying themes of undocumented immigration, belonging, and regret.

Disclosure: I received a physical ARC of this book from the publisher and the publicity firm working on this book. I was not otherwise compensated for this review or feature.

Content warnings: death of a spouse, death of a child, death of a parent, depression, racism, suicidal ideation, stalking, domestic violence, attempted rape, animal mauling

This book is told from alternating perspectives – Margot Lee, and her mother, the titular Mina Lee. On a drive from Seattle to LA with a friend, Margot calls her mother but to no avail. Upon arriving, she discovers Mina dead. We then embark on a journey of uncovered secrets, Margot's amateur investigation as a way of processing grief, and the truth, hiding in plain sight.

I've seen some reviews of this book criticizing Margot and her strained relationship with Mina, and how ungrateful and disrespectful she is. The language barrier in this book is at times literal, but isn't there always an element of a language barrier between parents and children? That felt so authentic to me; I wouldn't call my relationship with my (adoptive) mom strained per se, but it's not one I would describe as open (on my end).

Overall this one didn't resonate with me as much as I'd hoped. I thought the pacing was uneven, and Margot felt wooden and caricatured. I wanted more depth, more self-awareness. I also wanted more time inside Mrs. Baek's head. And finally, I thought Miguel – Margot's friend – was a throwaway character in ways that bothered me, because he could have been much more.