kristy_k's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
With each immigrant memoir I read, I learn something new. Every story is unique with their own set of challenges and experiences and show perseverance. Wang’s memoir was no exception and I am in awe of them all.
trylingual's review against another edition
4.0
story//*****
wang qian recounts a heartbreakingly familiar immigration story...her parents search of a better life and how they survived the early years in the "beautiful country" the literal translation of America in her native tongue of mandarin
style//****
eloquently written...her style often blends english with phonetic mandarin that bicultural/bilingual people are extremely familiar with
this lends itself into illustrating her journey of adapting to a new environment and navigating the world
she effectively communicates the accelerated maturity foisted upon her to aid her parents in a foreign environment, one that is often cruel and unfeeling
spark//****
a familiar yet unique journey that will resonate with many...and at the very least generate compassion for those who have traveled difficult roads to get to the same starting point as other americans
~*~
wang acknowledged that she felt compelled to share her story...i hope it achieves all that she set out to accomplish
better future . sweat shop . gifted student . cultural confusions . adaptation
wang qian recounts a heartbreakingly familiar immigration story...her parents search of a better life and how they survived the early years in the "beautiful country" the literal translation of America in her native tongue of mandarin
style//****
eloquently written...her style often blends english with phonetic mandarin that bicultural/bilingual people are extremely familiar with
this lends itself into illustrating her journey of adapting to a new environment and navigating the world
she effectively communicates the accelerated maturity foisted upon her to aid her parents in a foreign environment, one that is often cruel and unfeeling
spark//****
a familiar yet unique journey that will resonate with many...and at the very least generate compassion for those who have traveled difficult roads to get to the same starting point as other americans
~*~
wang acknowledged that she felt compelled to share her story...i hope it achieves all that she set out to accomplish
better future . sweat shop . gifted student . cultural confusions . adaptation
cjkennedy's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
A memoir that covers the first few years author Qian Julia Wang spent in the United States. A first person, present tense, voice brings you into the mind of elementary aged Qian as she navigates life as an undocumented immigrant, and it was not an easy one. Adult fears and responsibility are mixed with the simple hopes of any child for popular toys and loyal friends. Because our writer is telling this from her childhood perspective she takes moments to pull back and reflect on what she understands as an adult. These new understandings help to emphasize how young our author is when she carries and outsized idea of responsibility for her parents and the overall well being of the family. What I loved was the funny honesty about her development as a kid, the phases of lying and scheming that all kids move through as they grow up reminded me of being a kid. A great read for adults and teens. I would suggest parents and teachers read this while guiding younger kids through a book like “Front Desk,” by Kelly Yang.
Beautiful Country
By Qian Julie Wang
Pub Date: 2021
Publisher: Doubleday/ Penguin Random House LLC
A memoir that covers the first few years author Qian Julia Wang spent in the United States. A first person, present tense, voice brings you into the mind of elementary aged Qian as she navigates life as an undocumented immigrant, and it was not an easy one. Adult fears and responsibility are mixed with the simple hopes of any child for popular toys and loyal friends. Because our writer is telling this from her childhood perspective she takes moments to pull back and reflect on what she understands as an adult. These new understandings help to emphasize how young our author is when she carries and outsized idea of responsibility for her parents and the overall well being of the family. What I loved was the funny honesty about her development as a kid, the phases of lying and scheming that all kids move through as they grow up reminded me of being a kid. A great read for adults and teens. I would suggest parents and teachers read this while guiding younger kids through a book like “Front Desk,” by Kelly Yang.
Beautiful Country
By Qian Julie Wang
Pub Date: 2021
Publisher: Doubleday/ Penguin Random House LLC
anotherreaderaccount's review against another edition
5.0
Qian’s vulnerable, eye opening memoir had tears streaming down my face by the end. This is why I love listening to memoirs. Beautiful Country brought to surface emotions I couldn’t name. All I know is that I felt deeply for Qian and her life’s story. It also felt strange being so connected and aware of my humanity again after spending my days actively social distancing (avoiding, really) from most humans for the ‘greater, healthier good’ during the pandemic.
Beautiful Country will reveal your own soul as Qian bares hers and graciously shares the deepest secrets of her life to you, strangers, who she was always taught to “be careful around” and to never ever trust, for fear she might be deported.
Qian not only retells her upbringing — she gently takes and squeezes your hand as she leads you through what living on the razor sharp edges and in the shadows of America or, in Chinese, Mei Guo (direct translation “beautiful country”) is really like.
Destroyed me. To have been born in this “beautiful country” while others are stuck in a hell I’ve never known is all but an unbearable privilege after listening to Qian’s memoir. But it has also pushed me and inspired me to do more. To be more for others, in any big or small way that I can. And reach back with a welcoming outstretched hand, like Qian did to the little girl inside, her past but ever so constant present — a scarred, scared, yet wise younger self. To whom I hope is comforted and fully nurtured to this day. My heart swells for her and all those who see their untold stories reflected and shining brightly in this one. ❤️
Beautiful Country will reveal your own soul as Qian bares hers and graciously shares the deepest secrets of her life to you, strangers, who she was always taught to “be careful around” and to never ever trust, for fear she might be deported.
Qian not only retells her upbringing — she gently takes and squeezes your hand as she leads you through what living on the razor sharp edges and in the shadows of America or, in Chinese, Mei Guo (direct translation “beautiful country”) is really like.
Destroyed me. To have been born in this “beautiful country” while others are stuck in a hell I’ve never known is all but an unbearable privilege after listening to Qian’s memoir. But it has also pushed me and inspired me to do more. To be more for others, in any big or small way that I can. And reach back with a welcoming outstretched hand, like Qian did to the little girl inside, her past but ever so constant present — a scarred, scared, yet wise younger self. To whom I hope is comforted and fully nurtured to this day. My heart swells for her and all those who see their untold stories reflected and shining brightly in this one. ❤️
btwnprintedpgs's review
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Racism, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Stalking, Bullying, and Physical abuse
Minor: Infidelity and Cancer
sarahemi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
xeniba's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
I felt this was beautifully written, though difficult to read at times because of the trauma the author experienced. I’m grateful to the author for being so transparent and sharing her story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma, Child abuse, Medical content, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts