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Takeaway
- Stories from a Childhood Behind the Counter
- Narrated by: Angela Hui
- Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
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Takeaway
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Summary
SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2023
SHORTLISTED FOR THE FORTNUM & MASON DEBUT FOOD BOOK AWARD 2023
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 and joy in the rhythm of life in the takeaway and in 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—the takeaway is a hive of activity before a customer even places their order of 'egg-fried rice and chop suey'.
Bringing listeners along on the journey from Angela's earliest memories in the takeaway to her family closing the shop after 30 years in business, this is a brilliantly warm and immersive memoir from someone on the other side of the counter.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Critic reviews
"A beautiful book: compellingly written, tender and thoughtful. It shines a light onto a part of our food culture that's beloved and yet often undervalued... I loved it." (Ruby Tandoh, bestselling author of Eat Up! and Cook as You Are)
"I read Takeaway in one sitting. Angela's writing is so relatable. Chinese takeaways can't taste the same again when you know how much love, sacrifice and soul families have put into each dish." (Elaine Chong, journalist and presenter)
"This is the type of book that I would buy for friends on repeat, safe in the knowledge that they too would love it." (Ravneet Gill, author of The Pastry Chef's Guide)
What listeners say about Takeaway
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jeff Thornton
- 11-08-22
an audio page turner
so many people will relate to this. just the struggles we all face and her identity issues.
Good listen. recommended. five stars
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jonathan Murphy
- 02-01-23
Lovely story, needed editing and better narration
This is the autobiography of a Chinese girl growing up in a takeaway restaurant in the Welsh valleys. The story is unflinchingly honest in depicting family life warts and all, the shackles imposed by the daily grind of opening the takeaway, and the repeated racism she encounters. Anyone knowing South Wales well can identify with the story, and for me anyway as a non Chinese, feel a sense of shame.
The book is not always well written, the author resorts far too often to wooden tropes to explain what's happening rather than let the story speak for itself. It's clearly the work of a novice author, and a sharp edit could have helped it so much. Ms Hui also chose to narrate the book herself and again, the narration is rather wooden and unassured.
Overall the book is really charming and also important and I would certainly recommend it, despite its flaws.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- old hippy
- 04-08-22
Entertaining and Thought provoking
This was a great listen. Full of great stories and insights into the authors life growing up.
The recipes were a great touch too.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew Pemberton
- 10-12-22
Brought back memories
As a UK takeaway kid myself, this book bought back beautiful memories of my childhood. Thank you Angela for writing this, I’m able to share it with my kids so they can understand some of my background and upbringing.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- M. Alman
- 07-03-23
Not What I Hoped
I tried to persevere but couldn't finish it. as another reviewer stated it needed an edit and a professional narrator. There is an important story desperately trying to get out
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Verified Purchaser
- 07-01-24
Real life experience, brilliantly written.
A world I knew nothing about. The depth of knowledge and detailed account of running a Chinese takeaway business and the effects and shaping of the Family dynamic.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 26-11-22
A cultural important book
I adored this book. Angela’s reading of her own stories and experiences were awfully touching, affirming and deeply resonating with me.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lizzie
- 06-03-23
Beautiful
A beautiful heartfelt story and important piece of Welsh modern literature — a must must listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Paul20764
- 10-07-23
Wonderful!
I'm not normally one to be effusive ...but get this book! So much emotion poured into the writing and, in turn, the narration. Even I was getting emotional, especially towards the end.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Henry C.
- 28-08-22
Absolutely fantastic. Brilliantly written and read
I'm still walking the life that Angel has lived. This book speaks to my heart and I can understand every aspect of her life she has written so beautifully about. It gives me great comfort to take in the journal of her life, the love, and the pain of having a Chinese upbringing in the takeaway industry. I felt every word of her life, as it is a reflection of mine. I have both the hard back and audio book. The audio book adds greater depth as the accents and feel of Angelas voice helps to paint a crystal clear picture.
Very well done to you, and thank you for your insight.
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4 people found this helpful