Monday, March 22, 2010

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

Disclaimer: I get all my books from the library.

Today's book, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, is not a new release. It was a book I often heard of in English classes, but I had never taken the time to read it.

Until now. You've probably all read this book, but it is fascinating. It follows the lives of several first-generation Chinese-American girls and their mothers. Each chapter is told from a different POV. While the book does have a happy ending, it is also hauntingly sad and painfully real.

Each of the daughters tries to find a new way of life, rejecting the traditional Chinese of their mothers and seeking to be fully American. They are not successful, however, and discover that in rejecting their mothers' ways of life, they've also rejected the wisdom and knowledge that come with age and experience. The girls experience heartache and failure as adults, struggling with self-identity.

Tan also gives a realistic view into the depraved lives each mother lived in China before making her way to the United States. The stories are horrifying and sad, especially when the loss of children is involved.

Overall, this book is definitely a classic. It has withstood the test of time. I'm going to have to give it a B.

A = Buy this book NOW
B = Buy this when you can
C = Check it out from the library
D = Don't bother reading it
F = Burn it

4 comments:

  1. I love Amy Tan. Once a student gave me an autographed copy of THE BONESETTER'S DAUGHTER. She knew I loved to read and went to a book signing to pick one up. Isn't that amazing?

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  2. Ah, yes, love this book. I read it in high school and still remember it, which is saying a lot. I'll have to read it now that I'm all grown up :). I bet I'll relate with different things now.

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  3. Great and honest review. I haven't read this book in eons and I remember thinking it was OK. I need to pick this one up again. Thanx.

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  4. Caroline--that is truly awesome! what a great student!

    Kasie--yeah, I'm sure you'd get totally different thoughts out of it, now that you are an adult!

    T. Anne--if you read it again, tell me what you think of it.

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