Customer Reviews

Paper Bullets: A Fictional Autobiography (Scott and Laurie Oki Series in Asian American Studies)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Reading "Paper Bullets" has given me so much insight into what it means to be an artist and what it means to be an asian american male. It brings you from laughing outloud to the point of tears with a grace that is uncommon these days and the use of popular culture references only enhances the immediacy of the experience. Kip Fulbeck writes about his coming of age and his experiences in love with a wisdom and awareness that I can only aspire to. This book is a unique and inspiring must read for everyone. And the cover rocks too.

We read this for my class on contemporary pop fiction. Almost everyone really liked it especially the pop culture and frankness about sex and Asian-American politics. No one writes about this stuff so that was refreshing and way better than a lot of the other books on the reading list.

It does push you though so watch out. Two people just couldn't get over it or themselves. One girl kept calling it sexist even though our professor and the other women in class including myself kept trying to explain the book was a criticism of it (duh) and one guy couldn't separate the author from the character and kept calling him cocky and narcissistic no matter how much we discussed the concepts of critical non-fiction which was the WHOLE POINT OF THE ASSIGNMENT. I think they just had issues!

All in all it's one of the better books I've read (certainly the best in this class). And since I love spazzing reactions I'm glad it pushes people's buttons!

This guy is crazy! I picked up this book after a friend at school read it for her class. I read it in a night. It's freaking hilarious! If you haven't read it, the main character (the author maybe???) is a pop culture junky. It was like playing 80s trivial pursuit. There's a lot of sexual situations in it, some funny, some pretty wacked. I had never heard the term Hapa before but this pretty much gives you a whole new look at what it's like to be a multiracial.

This book is hilarious, heartbreaking, fast-paced and emotional. Kip Fulbeck's "Kip Fulbeck" character is one we have never seen before and the novel is truly moving beyond the typical memoir/autobiography or the typical Asian American novel. His writing is so clear and concise it's easy to read the 250+ in one sitting although there is much much more to discover if you spend the time. There are more pop culture references here than any book I've read, but it's no distraction, it only helps place everything for the character in his world. If anyone has seen Kip Fulbeck perform live, this novel is like that, but on paper.

It's not easy to write about sexual encounters without pandering. It's not easy to write about race without resorting to stereotypes. And it's almost impossible to write about multiracial identity in the United States in a way that captures the contradictions and bizarre double vision imposed upon people want to claim both their parents and all their family as a part of who they are. Kip Fulbeck has managed to do what is very difficult. He has translated his own experience growing up into a "fictional autobiography" that is at once lyrical and challenging. Paper Bullets is a page turner, a book I could not put down, and a book that I will reread for what it teaches.

though i'm not hapa myself, i borrowed this book from a friend, and i'm really struck by it. this guy just fillets himself open to the readers examination, not sugar-coating or excusing his own insecurities or narcissism.
the kind of secrtets that he reveals about himself are what we normally keep tucked safely away--from others as well as our own concious minds.
though the book's focus is largely that of growning up struggling with being a variety of mixed race not yet really acknowledged, the poignancy of fulbeck's metamophasis into manhood will appeal to any reader.
awesome!

It's got it all - love, sex, racism, sociology, search of self, vegetarianism, and more love. I've met Kip, and let me tell you, he's one of the most confident and sincere people out there, not to mention one of the funniest. You've got to be pretty self-aware to lay everyout out on the line and be able to comment on our society so acutely. And please don't say that he's a 'bad representation of hapas' because if this book teaches you anything it's that you can be yourself regardless of your race and the expectations it carries. And man, I have never been more aware of "rice-chasing" around us.

I got this book after seeing the author's other book Part Asian 100% Hapa (HIGHLY recommended btw). I had no idea what to expect but even if I did I'd be surprised. It had me laughing out loud, crying, angry, sad, you name it. It's touching and strong at the same time. Kudos to an obviously sensitive author for having the courage to put it out there whether the character is him or not!!!

This autobiography reads somewhat like a novel. Humorous, lots of sex, some discussion of racial identity issues and dating. I would have liked a little more of the latter.
The book moves at a good pace but goes into the sex stuff a little too much for me. Enjoyable. Fulbeck doesn't pretend to have any answers here.

Fast, funny, and thought provoking! One of the few books that I have enjoyed reading more than once and have recommended to others. It is a writing style that has been inspirational to me, and though a fictional biography, it is one that is open and honest. Kip has developed a large fan base here on our college campus. A great read for anyone, regardless of race, who is searching for their own ethinic identity.