A review by tarikalily
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A beautiful tale of mother/daughter relationships across generations, time periods, cultures and countries. The complex pressures of growing up in a family culture different to that of where you live runs true throughout. The younger daughters open with their POVs and you emapthise with their struggles to cope with mothers who have very different, and sometimes a little outdated, views of their futures. But soon, having heard the horrible, traumatic and selfless things which the mothers have been through years previously you quickly gain a sympathy for them which helps to understand the relationships between mother and daughter.
Gorgeous writing. Powerful and engaging characterisation.