Making a Scene

Making a Scene

  • Downloads:6292
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-11-03 18:21:49
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Constance Wu
  • ISBN:B09VH8XZG5
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

From influential and iconic star Constance Wu, a powerful and poignant memoir-in-essays full of funny and intimate observations that will resonate with readers everywhere。

Growing up in the friendly suburbs of Richmond, Virginia, Constance Wu thought that girls were supposed to be reserved, graceful, and polite。  Everyone around her praised ladylike behaviour while seeming to disapprove of the louder, rougher girls – the kind of girls who made scenes。 And while she spent most of her childhood suppressing her bold, emotional nature, Constance found an early outlet in local community theatre。  The stage was the one place where big feelings were okay – were good, even。  As she continued to reconcile her personality with the expectations of daily life, acting became more than a hobby。 It was her refuge, her touchstone, and eventually her vocation。  She went to New York to study classical theatre and pursue an acting career while waiting tables, dating, despairing, and embracing city life。  In 2015, she was cast in the ground-breaking TV sitcom Fresh Off the Boat, a touching, funny story about an Asian American family in the ’90s。 Another historic role followed when she starred in the smash hit film Crazy Rich Asians, which featured an entirely Asian cast。 These two pivotal moments in Hollywood history opened up a new chapter for Constance, who continues to explore the complexities of Asian American representation。
Through raw, hilarious, and relatable stories, Constance fearlessly shares her experiences of growing up in suburban Virginia, scraping by as a struggling actress, falling in love again and again, confronting her identity and influence, and navigating the pressures and pleasures of existing in today’s world。

Download

Reviews

Molly Payton

Overall, I enjoyed this book but I was disappointed with some of the words that the author chose to use。 Wu's writing is honest and searing。 I appreciate how sensitive they are and how they showed that so viscerally。 I think she's brave for sharing her truth。 At the same time, I’m sad that there were a handful of moments in the book that took me by surprise in a bad way。 There are 3-4 times in the book when the author uses the word “lame” as a way of describing something as bad。 I used to use th Overall, I enjoyed this book but I was disappointed with some of the words that the author chose to use。 Wu's writing is honest and searing。 I appreciate how sensitive they are and how they showed that so viscerally。 I think she's brave for sharing her truth。 At the same time, I’m sad that there were a handful of moments in the book that took me by surprise in a bad way。 There are 3-4 times in the book when the author uses the word “lame” as a way of describing something as bad。 I used to use this word too until I was taught that it’s ableist language and perpetuates the inferiority of people with disabilities。 Instead of using the word lame, try boring, bland, unexciting, pathetic, or unoriginal。She also uses the phrase “totem pole” which ignores the rich cultural significance of totem poles and the histories of Indigenous people that they document。 You can replace this phrase with 'least significant' or 'least important' which allows you to say what you really mean without disrespecting a cultural artifact of the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest。 。。。more

Michelle Kang

Really enjoyed this。

Mona Lee

loved this book。 constance’s voice is so clear and sharp and powerful。 so many funny moments and heartbreaking ones too。 really made someone i’ve looked up to for awhile feel like a real fully fledged human。

Chantal Canales

3。5 rounded upEssays felt out of placed/disorganized。 I think I would have enjoyed this more if I wasn’t listening to it on audio (it felt more like a performance, but what can I say, Constance is an actress) but overall a decent read!

Penny

I love Constance Wu。 Very candid and up front with her feelings。 I'm not a fan of the layout of the book。 This may have been one that worked better as an audiobook。 I love Constance Wu。 Very candid and up front with her feelings。 I'm not a fan of the layout of the book。 This may have been one that worked better as an audiobook。 。。。more

Caroline

i watched a few of constance’s interviews to pub this book before reading it and was blown away by her passion, vulnerability, and wisdom, and the book was no different。 at first, i was put off by its casual tone and language but grew to appreciate it for its warmth and authenticity—it truly sounds like her, as if she’s sharing her experiences with you one-on-one。 some essays were better than others, with the FOTB one taking the cake, but they all present without apology or shame the various exp i watched a few of constance’s interviews to pub this book before reading it and was blown away by her passion, vulnerability, and wisdom, and the book was no different。 at first, i was put off by its casual tone and language but grew to appreciate it for its warmth and authenticity—it truly sounds like her, as if she’s sharing her experiences with you one-on-one。 some essays were better than others, with the FOTB one taking the cake, but they all present without apology or shame the various experiences that have shaped her into the person she is today。 。。。more

Alyssa Harvie

Ok, I have a LOT of mixed feelings on this book。。。 and I feel bad saying it bc I'm a big Constance Wu fan。Honestly, a lot of the book read like a high school college admissions essay。 After the first third of the book, I wasn't even sure I was going to be able to finish。 There were a lot of unnecessary, boring details。 Clearly they were important for the author, but for the reader。。。 it felt like a lot of details were added to make it seem "real" which were extremely boring to the audience。 I re Ok, I have a LOT of mixed feelings on this book。。。 and I feel bad saying it bc I'm a big Constance Wu fan。Honestly, a lot of the book read like a high school college admissions essay。 After the first third of the book, I wasn't even sure I was going to be able to finish。 There were a lot of unnecessary, boring details。 Clearly they were important for the author, but for the reader。。。 it felt like a lot of details were added to make it seem "real" which were extremely boring to the audience。 I really didn't need a whole chapter about the details of baking bread or the intricacies of each car she owned。The sections that shined though REALLY shined。 Sections on Asian-American representation, sexual assault and harassment, and coming to terms with difficult family relationships really made it worth it。 They were surrounded by sections that seemed disconnected and disorganized, though。Also, a lot of the tone just felt really childish and immature。 I respected that the author was vulnerable and came clean about a lot of her faults and mistakes, but it really rubbed me the wrong way when stories about faults didn't have a "moral of the story" or lessons learned。 Like learning that you inherited some similarities of traits from your mother and coming to finally understand her--that's great! But neglecting to talk about how those traits like impulsivity and self-centeredness harmed others in your lives? It wasn't just quirky and heartwarming。 It was really troubling。 I ended the book on a sour note。All this is hard though because it was SO exciting to see a book with Richmond representation! It's the first time I've ever seen my childhood experiences and placenames represented in a book。 Playing in the woods and creeks as a kid, rolling down the hills and crossing ponds in the Japanese Gardens at Maymont, the kindness of Richmond strangers, those were all special moments to read about。。。。 I just wish the rest of the book had lived up to my expectations。 I think there was a lot of good stuff there, but it was just disorganized。It made a lot of sense once you realize that Constance wanted to devote her life to dramatic acting and theatre。 Because for most of the book, you have to put up with her being extremely melodramatic。 I'm glad she found a place where those qualities are strengths, but it was just NOT my cup of tea to read。。。 I rolled my eyes a lot。 Extreme "pick me girl" vibes。 。。。more

Beth

A marvelous, honest, often funny memoir。

Marissa

i went into this blind not really sure what to expect。 i am familiar w constance bc of FOTB & CRA。 but i couldn’t believe how similar in personality we are。 i cried a lot throughout this book & it honestly felt like the therapy session i needed。 some memories i completely forgotten from childhood coming to light that just makes so much sense now that i’m an adult。 such a fan of this format with small essays & even when she did short plays it was so fun to read。 i love constance & look forward to i went into this blind not really sure what to expect。 i am familiar w constance bc of FOTB & CRA。 but i couldn’t believe how similar in personality we are。 i cried a lot throughout this book & it honestly felt like the therapy session i needed。 some memories i completely forgotten from childhood coming to light that just makes so much sense now that i’m an adult。 such a fan of this format with small essays & even when she did short plays it was so fun to read。 i love constance & look forward to all she does in the future! 。。。more

Andrea

me gustó mucho la madurez con la que Constance aborda estos distintos episodios de su vida。 mi parte favorita (aunque sin duda la más difícil de leer) fue todo lo relacionado con la controversia de *esos* tweets sobre fresh off the boat。

Katie

11%。 She just didn’t have anything to say and sounded so dumb。

Susie Dumond

As a child, Constance Wu was told she was too emotional, too reactive, too much。 But then she discovered community theatre, where she learned her emotions were not a weakness but a superpower。 In these essays, Wu describes her journey to fame, as well as the sexism and racism that stood in her way and the difficulties of finding her voice in the public eye。This is written clearly in Constance Wu's voice, so I imagine the audiobook is fantastic! I really appreciate how thoughtfully and openly Wu As a child, Constance Wu was told she was too emotional, too reactive, too much。 But then she discovered community theatre, where she learned her emotions were not a weakness but a superpower。 In these essays, Wu describes her journey to fame, as well as the sexism and racism that stood in her way and the difficulties of finding her voice in the public eye。This is written clearly in Constance Wu's voice, so I imagine the audiobook is fantastic! I really appreciate how thoughtfully and openly Wu approached her writing。 She tackles some difficult and nuanced topics with grace。 It felt like it was missing a few pieces of her story, but still an insightful book whether or not you've kept up with her work。 。。。more

Jordan Holt

What a gem of a memoir。 I think Constance Wu is a treasure and this memoir was everything she needed and more to make a comeback in the public eye。 Her story is so raw and incredibly naked。 Wu does not shy away from the dreaded self-realization of "I'm the problem," yet gives herself grace in the process。 There have not been many times where a celebrity memoir has turned me introspective, but this really did it。 I self-reflected many times while reading this, and I understood Wu deeply with each What a gem of a memoir。 I think Constance Wu is a treasure and this memoir was everything she needed and more to make a comeback in the public eye。 Her story is so raw and incredibly naked。 Wu does not shy away from the dreaded self-realization of "I'm the problem," yet gives herself grace in the process。 There have not been many times where a celebrity memoir has turned me introspective, but this really did it。 I self-reflected many times while reading this, and I understood Wu deeply with each story she told。 There are a lot of my past actions that I see in her actions which is a humbling and slightly scary thought。The chapter about her Fresh Off the Boat experience was sobering, a true insight into mental health and traumatic events and the effect public opinion can have on that all。 I loved every page, inch, and sentence of this memoir。 It was everything a celebrity memoir should be: open and honest, deeply insightful, and full of anecdotes that make sense and connect well。 I'm so thankful that this ended up in my hands。Rating: 5/5 starsCW: sexual assault/rape, sexual harassment, suicidal attempt, divorce, sexual content, estrangement from family members 。。。more

breana / milkyboos ♡

i'm not sure i've ever read a celebrity memoir (or any memoir for that matter) this self-aware and transparentWu includes moments that show her at her worst without adding on disclaimers for what she says or framing the scenario to absolve herself of any blame (ex。 takes full responsibility for the horrid way she treated her younger sister and the consequential distancing between them; admits her pettiness and jealousy towards her Fresh Off the Boat costars and her unfair coldness towards them)。 i'm not sure i've ever read a celebrity memoir (or any memoir for that matter) this self-aware and transparentWu includes moments that show her at her worst without adding on disclaimers for what she says or framing the scenario to absolve herself of any blame (ex。 takes full responsibility for the horrid way she treated her younger sister and the consequential distancing between them; admits her pettiness and jealousy towards her Fresh Off the Boat costars and her unfair coldness towards them)。 these inclusions that i'm sure would turn off many a reader only made me root for Wu more and more, and it made me empathize with her in a way i didn't expect to。 i was by no means ever an anti, not even during that infamous tirade of hate she got after the FOTB renewal twitter shitstorm, but i admittedly passed judgment and didn't correct my thinking even when the hate against her grew to be far beyond the substance of the tweets and increasingly insidiousher honesty and openness were so refreshing, and as a fellow crybaby emotional nuisance who also ruins moments with her "big feelings," i really felt for Wu as she waded through these traumatic events feeling alone and ashamed of always being "too much"。 by the end, i felt i had really come to understand her, to truly see her fully as a person and not just as another celebrity far removed from my existencemy biggest drawback with the writing is that the stories Wu tells feel so scattered, and the timeline jumps back and forth between her childhood, college years, and her acting career without any clear pattern or reason。 these organizational issues made it a bit hard for me to stay in-the-moment with some of the stories Wu tells, as the narrative then quickly shifts to a seemingly unrelated memory from a completely different time。 i think the emotional impact of each story would have been far better served with some stronger, more cohesive organization, but i absolutely still teared up at many parts (Wu recounting her emotions after the big twitter fallout and ensuing hate train had me hurting so much for her) and i especially recommend listening to this memoir on audiobook as Wu's narration drives up the emotions even furtheroverall, Making a Scene is something i would definitely recommend to fans of Wu/her acting work, and it does its job in providing insight into her character and the person she is/aspires to be 。。。more

Grapie Deltaco

From all-consuming first loves to the intricacies of baking bread to her long-time love of the stage to devastating experiences with those who abuse their power and refuse to take “no” for an answer。 Constance Wu is a true storyteller。 I was only familiar with Constance Wu through her roles in Fresh Off the Boat and Crazy Rich Asians but hadn’t kept up with her as a person so I went into this story not knowing about her controversial tweets。 I’m not sure how stronger opinions one may have previo From all-consuming first loves to the intricacies of baking bread to her long-time love of the stage to devastating experiences with those who abuse their power and refuse to take “no” for an answer。 Constance Wu is a true storyteller。 I was only familiar with Constance Wu through her roles in Fresh Off the Boat and Crazy Rich Asians but hadn’t kept up with her as a person so I went into this story not knowing about her controversial tweets。 I’m not sure how stronger opinions one may have previously held about her prior to reading the book may be affected by her story。 But for me?It’s a very raw and open telling of events as we witness Wu’s lowest points filled with pain to the lowest points filled with causing pain。 It gets awkward and results in very impressive transitions into peaceful final notes。 Something that sticks out, though, in her freely exposing her failures and flaws so earnestly is when we accidentally see her stumble in the writing of this book。 The chapter titled “An Apology” sticks out to me in how disingenuous it feels—which is especially uncomfortable because it’s meant to be a true apology and admission of guilt for inappropriate sexual behavior on set of Fresh Off the Boat。 The final line of that entire chapter made me pause and I’m left with the reminder that someone can manage to be self aware and ignorant all at once。 Overall, and for better or for worse, I think Constance Wu is very brave。 CW: heavy discussions of rape/sexual assault, brief but recurring discussions of racism and xenophobia, brief moment depicting suicidal ideation + attempted suicide, sexual harassment and predatory behavior from authority figure, brief reference to inappropriate relationship between adult boss and teenaged employee, infidelity 。。。more

Amy

Impressive for all the details she remembers--about a summer job baking bread, about a retreat at a Buddhist monastery in Taiwan。 It never occurred to me that you could be in your fourth season of a successful TV show and still be doing your own housework and taxes。

elin | winterrainreads

3。5 stars。 rtc。

Jeannine

❤️❤️❤️

Beth

This book was provided to me through a Goodreads giveaway。 Thank you to the author and publisher for the free ARC and a chance to review this book。I was not familiar with the author prior to reading this book。 I hadn't watched any Crazy Rich Asians or Fresh Off The Boat, etc。 However, I felt like I knew her after reading this memoir。 I was extremely impressed with the candor and vulnerability she demonstrated in this memoir。 She laid her life out。。the good, the bad, and the ugly。。。 for all to se This book was provided to me through a Goodreads giveaway。 Thank you to the author and publisher for the free ARC and a chance to review this book。I was not familiar with the author prior to reading this book。 I hadn't watched any Crazy Rich Asians or Fresh Off The Boat, etc。 However, I felt like I knew her after reading this memoir。 I was extremely impressed with the candor and vulnerability she demonstrated in this memoir。 She laid her life out。。the good, the bad, and the ugly。。。 for all to see & it took a lot of courage to do so。 I enjoyed the way the memoir was broken up in chapter essay form。 I thought it was a clear & concise way to thoroughly engage the reader with one specific area at a time。 Keeping making scenes, Constance Wu。 。。。more

Alexis Newkirk

I thought this was really vulnerable and a good memoir - especially on audio since she narrates it herself。 I found this incredibly relatable as she recounts loves lost, insecurity, and loneliness。 I also thought the way she handles talking about mistakes in the past and apologized for them was sincere and well done。 Overall a good easy listen。TW: rape, suicide。

Kathrine

This was such a fast read for me。 I loved it so much! I didn’t find the time jumps jarring as many have said。 The threading between each story was done so perfectly。 The call-backs allow you to place all of the pieces together to truly understand how her life experiences have shaped her as a person。

SOPHIA BROWNE

Making a Scene by Constance WuPublished October 4th 2022<3 DANG! SHE PUT ALL HER BUSINESS OUT THERE。 THERE WAS SOME CRINGE WORTHY REVEALS BUT IT WAS A GREAT AUDIOBOOK THAT I WOULD RECOMMEND <3#MENTALHEALTH #METOOMOVEMENT #HOLLYWEIRD #TRAUMA #RAPECULTUREA powerful and poignant new book by Crazy Rich Asians and Fresh off the Boat star Constance Wu about family, romance, sex, shame, trauma, and how she found her voice on the stage。Growing up in the friendly suburbs of Richmond, Virginia, Constance Making a Scene by Constance WuPublished October 4th 2022<3 DANG! SHE PUT ALL HER BUSINESS OUT THERE。 THERE WAS SOME CRINGE WORTHY REVEALS BUT IT WAS A GREAT AUDIOBOOK THAT I WOULD RECOMMEND <3#MENTALHEALTH #METOOMOVEMENT #HOLLYWEIRD #TRAUMA #RAPECULTUREA powerful and poignant new book by Crazy Rich Asians and Fresh off the Boat star Constance Wu about family, romance, sex, shame, trauma, and how she found her voice on the stage。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 local community theater—it was the one place where big feelings were okay—were good, even。 Acting became her refuge, her touchstone, 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。Through raw and relatable essays, Constance shares private memories of childhood, young love and heartbreak, sexual assault and harassment, and how she "made it" in Hollywood。 Her stories offer a behind-the-scenes look at being Asian American in the entertainment industry and the continuing evolution of her identity and influence in the public eye。 Making a Scene is an intimate portrait of pressures and pleasures of existing in today's world。 。。。more

Mary Nee

An impressive set of essays。 Worth a read!

Kara Trimpin

Audiobook 🎧 Idk what I expected but I was just bored the entire time。 I only got 40% through but still feel like I can rate it。 Sad bc I do love Constance! Honestly wish I hadn’t started the book so I could just keep loving her blindly!

clarah rae

3。5Easy flow to her writing and a great narrative voice。 The essays could have been flushed out a bit more and I would have made some sort of order to them as it felt kind of random。I always liked Constance Wu but hearing her experience makes me appreciate her and her journey much more。

Ashley

Best for:Fans of Constance Wu。 People interested in learning about the impact of different aspects of Hollywood on actors。In a nutshell:Actress Wu shares stories from her life, mostly focusing on her non-famous time。Worth quoting:N/A (Audiobook)Why I chose it:I only know Wu from her starring role in Crazy Rich Asians, but this sounded interesting。Review:This is a book I find hard to review。 I want to commend Wu for how open and honest she is, and how she confronts challenges she’s faced as well Best for:Fans of Constance Wu。 People interested in learning about the impact of different aspects of Hollywood on actors。In a nutshell:Actress Wu shares stories from her life, mostly focusing on her non-famous time。Worth quoting:N/A (Audiobook)Why I chose it:I only know Wu from her starring role in Crazy Rich Asians, but this sounded interesting。Review:This is a book I find hard to review。 I want to commend Wu for how open and honest she is, and how she confronts challenges she’s faced as well as times when she hasn’t acted in the way one would want。 Basically, I don’t think she’s sugar-coated anything here。 She’s vulnerable, and doesn’t make herself the ‘good guy’ all the time, but she has enough self-awareness where she doesn’t come across as oblivious to any damage her actions may have caused。That said, I generally wasn’t that interesting in the stories she was telling。 That isn’t to say the pieces of herself she chose to share were uninteresting or bad - they just weren’t quite for me。 Hence the middling rating。I do think this is a well-written book。 I think I actually might have enjoyed it better had I read it instead of hearing the author read it, because at times it felt like she was acting the stories (intentionally at times), which was leading me to a specific feeling。 With a written book, I think there’s a bit more opportunity for the reader to make their own interpretations and conclusions。 Though, thinking more on it - is that appropriate for a memoir? Does my opinion of things really matter? It’s not my life, after all。The aspect that most reviews have focused on was the harassment she faced from a producer while working on Fresh Off the Boat, and her suicidal period after being harassed off Twitter for expressing disappointment at the series being renewed。 And those bits are infuriating for sure。 But I think her vulnerability around her relationships is also interesting - her romantic relationships, her relationship with her mother, and her relationship with her younger sister。 They are complex and complicated situations, and she navigates them without always making herself sound like a victim - she has agency, and sometimes makes good decisions and sometimes doesn’t。I’m not sure if I would recommend this book, but if it’s on your TBR list, I’d imagine you’ll probably find it a worthwhile read。Recommend to a Friend / Keep / Donate it / Toss it:N/A (Audiobook) 。。。more

Erika

It’s always odd rating a memoir, but my rating speaks more to the writing and structure of the essays and book, and not solely the content。 Overall, this memoir offers insight to Constance Wu’s perspective and lived experience of growing up and building a career in Hollywood, especially at a height of renewed attention on Asian representation。 I admire memoirs because it requires the writer to reflect and articulate on their emotions and experiences。 Wu’s memoir certainly achieves that。 At times It’s always odd rating a memoir, but my rating speaks more to the writing and structure of the essays and book, and not solely the content。 Overall, this memoir offers insight to Constance Wu’s perspective and lived experience of growing up and building a career in Hollywood, especially at a height of renewed attention on Asian representation。 I admire memoirs because it requires the writer to reflect and articulate on their emotions and experiences。 Wu’s memoir certainly achieves that。 At times, some essays relied more on descriptions, and it’s only until the end the main point revealed。 Other essays felt more structured with clear purpose, which was articulated at the beginning。 The combination of the two sometime left me uncertain about the overall structure of the book。 The central theme of this book is emotions - big emotions - and I think that is not only clear, but will certainly resonate with many。 I definitely identified with the experience of having to not only manage my emotions, but sometimes struggling with them outwardly。 Constance Wu shares quite about her work on on Fresh Off the Boat, and her experience in Hollywood。 She is self aware, and critical of herself and the spaces and industries she is in。 I don’t think the purpose of this memoir is to make grand statements, but rather share insight to herself and where she comes from。 People are not one dimensional, and so the picture we get is a little bit more complicated。 。。。more

Loan Kline

I loved this book。 Constance Wu is so raw, honest, and owns up to her immaturity, emotions, and flaws。 She isn’t perfect, is still learning, is very insightful of her shortcomings, and definately relatable- she’s human! I loved how she applied method acting to her writing- she is very descriptive in some of these scenes that many times I am transported into her story。 That is a phenomenal task for a beginner writer。 I’m not a twitter fan or even listen or watch the news much so I wasn’t aware of I loved this book。 Constance Wu is so raw, honest, and owns up to her immaturity, emotions, and flaws。 She isn’t perfect, is still learning, is very insightful of her shortcomings, and definately relatable- she’s human! I loved how she applied method acting to her writing- she is very descriptive in some of these scenes that many times I am transported into her story。 That is a phenomenal task for a beginner writer。 I’m not a twitter fan or even listen or watch the news much so I wasn’t aware of the backlash or her suicide attempt so I was surprised to have read that。 How awful she must have felt- how isolating even though the show was doing so well。 She is crazy talented as an actress and you can tell she’s very passionate about her craft。 I am proud that she’s a fellow Asian-American woman pursuing her passion and representing! Keep fighting the good fight Constance! 。。。more

Catherine

Not everybody needs to write a memoir and a good number of this was filler。 But the Introduction, Of Course She Did, Making a Scene, You Do What I Say and Unfinished Mansions carried。 Ate。 Invented Mother Lake, as the kids would say。

Kimi Loughlin

Parts of this memoir wrenched my soul。 Her story about the teacher and plagiarism literally had me wanting to burn things down。