The Story Game is an innovative memoir that interrogates its own truth as it unspools. Hui is in a room with her sister Jin, playing a game they have played since they were kids, where Hui will tell Jin a story about her life.

As Hui begins to tell the stories, Jin voices her disapproval, first wanting to hear more about Hui herself, rather than an academic treatise on colonialism, then wanting Hui to be more truthful in her personal accounts. In particular, there's a story about Hui living in a hostel that she ends up telling twice, the second time becoming more honest about what brought her there and why she responded in the ways she did. As is clear from the beginning, there is trauma that remains shrouded by Hui's avoidance until the Story Game pushes her to bare more. The dialogue between Hui and Jin between each essay mimics trauma responses and is an exercise in the power of vulnerability. Although I knew that something would be discovered in the process, I was surprised by the propulsive latter third and the revelations it brought to light.

Therapy and memoir share a lot, with the question "what are you not saying?" often providing a good starting point for either. Throughout The Story Game, I was reminded of how memoir is constructed and appreciated Hui's visible struggle to say more of what wasn't being said, to uncover difficult truths about her life and seek to find healing in the wake of the unveiling.

Marvelously inventive. Breaks the confines of memoir as a genre - feels like a mythic retelling, a travelogue, a play featuring two sisters in a room (with echoes of Samanta Schweblin), cultural critique, parable, and postcolonial feminist body horror. I wanted to know more in places - but that's a good feeling! I can't wait to see what Tjoa does next. Thank you for the ARC!

The Story Game" is a memoir that left me contemplating long after turning the final page. Initially, like her sister Nin, I felt kept at a distance, yearning to uncover the truth alongside Hui. As the narrative unfolded, I found myself deeply engaged in piecing together the puzzle of Hui's past.

Hui's approach to storytelling is beautiful, raw, and honest. The memoir invites readers to reflect on the ways our memories shape us and the stories we craft to protect ourselves from trauma. It's a profound exploration of healing and self-discovery.

The ending, which some may find incomplete, left me with a sense of hope. After reflecting on the memoir, I realized just how much it affected me and appreciated its new and inventive storytelling style.

This is a compelling and thought-provoking read that challenges us to examine our own narratives and the impact of our past on our present. It's a memoir that lingers in the mind and prompts deep introspection.

Major thanks to NetGalley, Tin House Books, and to Shze-Hui Tjoa for access to this vulnerable and creative ARC.

The Story Game, written by Shze-Hui Tjoa, is an experimental memoir in which Hui is narrating stories to her sister, Nin. These stories are shared in a reimagined version of their childhood bedroom, the only place Hui felt remotely safe as a girl and the last place she truly felt connected to Nin before they drifted apart. Throughout this storytelling, Nin encourages Hui to peel back the layers of herself and unearth the truth behind her experiences. This is immensely difficult for Hui, who would rather focus on broader injustice as opposed to the wrongs done onto her.

The experimental quality of Hui’s writing was initially challenging for me to appreciate. It wasn’t until about halfway through the memoir that I felt it added something to the reading experience. It was, however, a creative and unique approach to storytelling. I love when authors take liberties with more rigid genres, such as the memoir, and I hope that writing about her life in this standout format felt empowering for Hui. Many thanks to Shze-Hui Tjoa, Tin House, and Netgalley for access to this title.