
a book
Takeaway: Stories From a Childhood Behind the Counter
Angela Hui · 2022 · 304 pages
An eye-opening memoir revealing the stories behind living in and running a Chinese takeaway.Growing up in a Chinese takeaway in rural Wales, Angela Hui was made aware at a very young age of just how different she and her family were seen by her local community. From attacks on the shopfront (in other words, their home), to verbal abuse from customers, and confrontations that ended with her dad wielding the meat cleaver; life growing up in a takeaway was far from peaceful.But alongside the strife, there was also beauty in the rhythm and joy that came from living in the takeaway and being surrounded by the food of her home culture. Family dinners before service, research trips to Hong Kong, preparing for the weekend rush with her brothers - there is a treasure trove of activities that happen before a customer places an order.A blending of her Welsh and Chinese heritage, the takeaway was a place that embodied the dual identities that Angela herself was experiencing.Full of entertaining and surprising stories, TAKEAWAY is a brilliantly warm and eye-opening memoir - at times hilarious, and at others shocking - revealing what really goes on behind one of Britain's most-loved institutions.
recommended by 2 people
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Poorna Bell
“Just finished @angela_hui book Takeaway about her life growing up in a Chinese takeaway in Wales and would highly recommend. Not just because it is brilliantly written, but because it offers a glimpse into a place that is firmly part of our society but which we know little about.”↗
