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Making a Scene Hardcover – October 4, 2022
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A “poignant, frank, and intimate” (The New York Times) memoir by actress Constance Wu about family, love, sex, shame, trauma, and how she found her voice.
Growing up in the friendly suburbs of Richmond, Virginia, Constance Wu was often scolded for having big feelings or strong reactions. “Good girls don’t make scenes,” people warned her. And while she spent most of her childhood suppressing her bold, emotional nature, she found an early outlet in community theater—it was the one place where big feelings were okay—were good, even. Acting became her refuge, and eventually her vocation. At eighteen she moved to New York, where she’d spend the next ten years of her life auditioning, waiting tables, and struggling to make rent before her two big breaks: the TV sitcom Fresh Off the Boat and the hit film Crazy Rich Asians.
Here Constance shares private memories of childhood, young love and heartbreak, sexual assault and harassment, and how she “made it” in Hollywood. Raw, relatable, and enthralling, Making a Scene is an intimate portrait of the pressures and pleasures of existing in today’s world.
- Print length336 pages
- SpracheEnglisch
- PublisherScribner
- Publication dateOctober 4, 2022
- Dimensions5.5 x 1.1 x 8.38 inches
- ISBN-101982188545
- ISBN-13978-1982188542
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Vulnerable and audacious." —NPR
"Dazzling... Her depth of emotion makes her memoir both captivating and tender... Wu writes with unsparing honesty... bursting with revelation and reckoning." —Rajpreet Heir, The New York Times Book Review
"Illuminating... enthralling... her willingness to not just address her faults but grapple with them makes Wu’s memoir all the richer. Throw in her talent for vivid scene setting, plus an understanding that reflections are nothing without introspection, and the ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ star delivers a page-turner that amounts to much more than its headline-grabbing revelations." —The Washington Post
"A portrait of a young woman's life and of a young artist, struggling to find her way... poignant... frank and intimate." —The New York Times
"Candid and relatable... Her voice is forthright and clear." —Time
"A frank, powerful story told with a strong voice—but would you expect any less from a performer as bold as Wu?" —Town & Country
“So captivatingly immediate. It has something to say about both the inner life of an artist and the perils of public attention that I’ve never seen expressed before, and it’s adorably funny.” —Lena Dunham, The Skimm
“Wu wisely aligns poignant childhood anecdotes with new adult lessons… Generously sharing experiences of love, family, harassment, discrimination, and growth, Wu writes about others and her past self with the utmost respect. Her memoir is a gorgeously relatable portrait of a life guided by passion and art.” —Booklist, *starred review*
“Constance Wu writes with originality, ferocity, and unsparing honesty that doesn't let anyone — especially herself — off the hook. Making A Scene is as much about acting as it is about heartbreak, forgiveness, and being messily human. It made me laugh and it made my heart hurt; it reminded me of how necessary — and life giving — art is. This is a vital book by a singular talent.” —Rachel Khong, author of Goodbye, Vitamin
“There were times when I was reading Making a Scene that I didn’t realize I was holding my breath; it’s that riveting and personal. Making a Scene is a treasure and so is Constance Wu. I feel so lucky to call this talented and hilarious woman my friend.” —Mindy Kaling
"Constance Wu is a beautiful writer, a hilarious storyteller, and unafraid to tell the truth about her experiences." —Amy Schumer
"One of the most captivating and honest books I’ve read in years. Constance’s sharp and gorgeously observed ability to speak her truth, unforgivingly and often hilariously, gave me goosebumps, tears, gasps, and belly laughs." —Awkwafina
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Scribner (October 4, 2022)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 336 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1982188545
- ISBN-13 : 978-1982188542
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.38 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #104,503 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #59 in Emigrants & Immigrants Biographies
- #934 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies
- #3,328 in Memoirs (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
![Constance Wu](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/amzn-author-media-prod/f0rm65vpu5c73vof4a4hq1ueq5._SY600_.jpg)
Constance Wu is the Golden Globe Award-nominated star of Crazy Rich Asians and Hustlers. Her breakthrough role was starring as Jessica Huang in the television comedy Fresh Off the Boat (2015–2020). She has been nominated for the Screen Actors Guild award, two Television Critics Association awards, and four Critics Choice awards. TIME Magazine has honored her as one of the 100 Most Influential People of the Year.
She lives on the east side of Los Angeles with her partner, Ryan Kattner, their daughter, and their pet bunny rabbit, Lida-Rose.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the writing style wonderful, evocative, and bright. They also describe the reading experience as fun and sad at times. Customers also praise the characters as exceptional, brave, and gifted.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the writing style wonderful, poetic, vivid, relatable, and rich. They also say the descriptions paint a clear picture and the book is riveting and powerful.
"...It's so well written. Really, really well written.I've read a lot of books in my life so far. All kinds of books. I adore books...." Read more
"...brought me to tears with how much I felt for Constance, how resonant her writing was, and the way that women of color have fought so hard to be..." Read more
"This book definitely had my attention and was an easy read. I loved how honest and open constance is when she writes. She's also a good writer...." Read more
"...she never lost herself in the process, never became hard to relate to. riveting and powerful. a lovely read." Read more
Customers find the book a fun, relatable read. They also appreciate the story telling and find the writing exciting.
"...I loved it, all of it, every page. It was a joy to read. Thank you. Truly. Please write more! You. Are. A. Great. Writer...." Read more
"...I found this book to be therapeutic and entertaining...." Read more
"...riveting and powerful. a lovely read." Read more
"...Having this book is very exciting because her writing makes it seems like she is a new friend of mine and she's opening up about her personal life..." Read more
Customers find the character traits in the book exceptional, vivid, and brave. They also say the author is gifted and undeniably exceptional.
"...So when I say that this is one of the best books I've ever read, I hope you get a sense of what I mean by that, and that I don't say it lightly...." Read more
"Brave and touching - I really enjoyed this...." Read more
"This was a captivating and frankly illuminating book by an undeniably exceptional, gifted actor - and also writer apparently...." Read more
"...Thank you for sharing these truths. So brave." Read more
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![A poignant memoir that every woman of color needs to read](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/transparent-pixel._V192234675_.gif)
A poignant memoir that every woman of color needs to read
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I've read a lot of books in my life so far. All kinds of books. I adore books. I look back on the experience of reading some of the best books I've ever read like normal people look back on an amazing vacation or a summer love affair.
I've read Chaucer in the Middle English (took a class in graduate school on The Canterbury tales). I've read most of Shakespeare, all but one of Dostoevsky's novels, Tolkien, The Wind in the Willows, A Wrinkle in Time, Harry Potter, all of Isaac Dinesen, Rilke, T.S. Elliot, Hemingway, Joyce, Faulkner, so many YA novels, all the Phoebe and Her Unicorn books (soooo good), and everything in between. I'm not trying to brag--I don't think of it like that--I just mean to say that I've got a pretty wide experience of books at this point and a pretty high bar for what a good book is, and what the experience of reading a really really good book is like.
So when I say that this is one of the best books I've ever read, I hope you get a sense of what I mean by that, and that I don't say it lightly.
Constance Wu is a great writer, and I strongly suspect that but for her horrible experience of being wrongly accused of plagiarism in high school by one of her teachers, that she might have gone on to be one of the great writers of the 21st Century. Yes, I know. Over the top praise. But really, truly, that's what I think! And I wish I could give that teacher a piece of my mind. In fact, screw it, I think I will.
Mrs. Kantor, if you're reading this, I have to ask: what the hell were you thinking? Not only did you accuse a young kid of plagiarism without any actual proof, but you then got mad when she started crying, taking that as confirmation of your false accusation (!), and then you subsequently FOLLOWED HER AROUND to all of her classes and asked all of her teachers if they thought that Constance could have written the paper?!?! OH. MY. GOD. What is wrong with you?!? That was sadistic and cruel and wrong and hurtful. Didn't you have ANY idea of how cutting that was? How deep a psychic wound that would leave? What is wrong with you? You were supposed to be supportive and inspiring and instead you were the opposite. AND YOU WERE WRONG! Because Constance Wu is clearly a great and gifted writer. You were wrong. And you were wrong to do what you did. And it's horrible that you apparently have no regret or remorse over it. Just . . . incredible. Awful.
Anyway . . . OK, sorry, but oh my gosh. I was so upset reading that chapter! I'm upset now just thinking about it.
But this is the kind of book Making A Scene is. Immediate, brilliant, bright and vivid and indelible. If you're anything like me, you will never forget this book, like you had lived these things yourself. That's the kind of writing we're talking about here: crafted, evocative, magical, amazing and awe inspiring.
So much so that I think the only way for me to finish this review is to finish it as if I was addressing the author herself. I'm sure there's not a lot of chance that she will read my review. I hope she doesn't read reviews--people can be so casually cruel and cutting on the internet!
But, Constance Wu, if you're reading this, I want you to know how profoundly grateful I am that you wrote this book, that you shared these stories, that you shared these parts of yourself, even the embarrassing parts, even the unflattering bits. It was such a brave and beautiful and vulnerable and precious thing to do! It's such a gift to the world. You are amazing, and it's an honor to know you, as far as that goes, from reading your book. Thank you for sharing your stories, some of your life so far, with us. I loved hearing about your cars, Pisha and Masha. I loved hearing about your first job at the bakery. I loved hearing about acting school. I loved hearing about your father and your mother and your complicated and profound relationships with them. It helped me put my relationship with (and estrangement from) my own mother in context, in perspective. I loved it, all of it, every page. It was a joy to read. Thank you. Truly. Please write more! You. Are. A. Great. Writer. Of course you wrote this. Of course you could write a great book. And did. (And could write more--hint, hint)
Thank you, Constance! Thank you so much!
Firstly: I think everyone, particularly the Asian community, has been extortionately unkind to Constance. Was her reaction on Twitter controversial? Yes. However, we did not know what was truly going on behind the scenes with how insidious the circumstances of that sitcom was for her. It's devastating that even with the news out in the open, nobody seems to be making any noise about it...hint, hint: like it never actually happened.
This memoir genuinely brought me to tears with how much I felt for Constance, how resonant her writing was, and the way that women of color have fought so hard to be acknowledged in the slightest way, and the smallest gestures are things we should just swallow and be grateful for. Even though this is a memoir, I believe this is only the beginning for Constance. Major hits such as Crazy Rich Asians and her other sitcom benefitted her career greatly, but she is so much more than both.
![Customer image](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/transparent-pixel._V192234675_.gif)
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2023
Firstly: I think everyone, particularly the Asian community, has been extortionately unkind to Constance. Was her reaction on Twitter controversial? Yes. However, we did not know what was truly going on behind the scenes with how insidious the circumstances of that sitcom was for her. It's devastating that even with the news out in the open, nobody seems to be making any noise about it...hint, hint: like it never actually happened.
This memoir genuinely brought me to tears with how much I felt for Constance, how resonant her writing was, and the way that women of color have fought so hard to be acknowledged in the slightest way, and the smallest gestures are things we should just swallow and be grateful for. Even though this is a memoir, I believe this is only the beginning for Constance. Major hits such as Crazy Rich Asians and her other sitcom benefitted her career greatly, but she is so much more than both.
![Customer image](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71yWrmzWTKL._SY88.jpg)
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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2023
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