57 pages • 1 hour read
Angie KimHappiness Falls
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Angie Kim’s novel Happiness Falls, narrator Mia Parkson’s father Adam goes missing, leading Mia and her family to search for answers while grappling with complex issues such as the Korean American experience, autism, racism, and immigration amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. The family's investigation uncovers Adam’s research on happiness and Eugene’s evolving communication abilities on a letterboard. The novel includes depictions of bullying, rape, and racism.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Angie Kim's Happiness Falls has been widely praised for its compelling plot and intricate character development. Reviewers appreciate its insightful exploration of complex themes and the inclusivity of diverse narratives. However, some readers find the pacing uneven and note that certain plot points could be more thoroughly developed. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and engaging read.
Who Should Read Happiness Falls?
Readers who appreciate deeply emotional, character-driven stories and narratives that explore family dynamics and neurodiversity, much like Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere and Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale, will be captivated by Angie Kim's Happiness Falls. The novel offers a poignant look at the complexities of human relationships.