Mixed plate Chronicles of an All-American combo

Koy's words almost accost readers with the tastes and sounds of the bifurcated world he inhabited as the son of a white, conservative military father and a Filipino mother. His childhood prepared him for his career in comedy; as he explains, he became used to entertaining friends and family since they couldn't afford to go to shows or movies. It's this bold desire to fill the spaces left empty by poverty, by need, by marginalization that Koy fills with the stories comprising this remarkable memoir, beginning with his childhood growing up on military bases in the Philippines and elsewhere. Koy candidly recalls the culture shock of adjusting to life in the United States as an 11-year-old, eventually settling in Tacoma, WA, where his mom longed to find a Filipino community. Koy is personable throughout, whether describing idolizing his older brother while simultaneously watching him struggle with mental illness; trying to become as American as possible by developing a love for the mall; and turning toward comedy to help cope with grief and anger. Koy includes occasional recipes of his favorite dishes, including lumpia and chicken adobo. VERDICT A beautiful exploration of finding hope, humor, and a voice. A must-read for fans of memoirs.--Emily Bowles, Lawrence Univ., WI

A sincere memoir about growing up an immigrant and overcoming adversity through hard work and humor. Koy, the star of numerous Netflix and Comedy Central specials, tells the stories behind his jokes, promising in the introduction to get real and personal in a way he never has before. "I never really opened up about all the barriers I had to overcome in the racist entertainment industry as I built my career brick by brick and show by show," he writes. "I never really opened up--until this book." Readers familiar with the author's stand-up will still find the swagger, foul language, and family-inspired humor intact but also genuine care for his storytelling. Koy relates the difficulty of navigating his own identity as the son of an American military father and Filipino band-managing mother. "My mom is where I get all my talent from, no question," writes the author--in addition to his meticulous study of the comics he loved as a child and Filipino upbringing in general, a community with "entertainment in our blood, running through our veins. People as poor as us, all we've got is entertainment." When his older brother's schizophrenia prompted his father to leave, Koy began to struggle with this unstable home life and lackluster academic ambitions. After listening to Richard Pryor on cassette and seeing Eddie Murphy: Delirious, he decided to become a comedian, a winding journey that eventually led to success after battles with prejudice and his own initial shortcomings. Throughout, Koy is candid and heartfelt about his family and personal life, and he provides an illuminating behind-the-scenes look at his artistic process, which involves not just joke-writing but real introspection. Featuring countless moments of hilarity, the narrative also serves as an opportunity for the author to connect with his audience beyond the stage. Koy goes behind the funny, showing his wide-ranging comedic talent and abundant wells of perseverance. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.