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A review by blowp0p
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
3.0
Content warnings: Mentions of Second Sino Japanese War
I enjoyed the different viewpoints of this book. From the viewpoints of the elders and the children. And I like that all the viewpoints are from the women's point of view.
It's partially made me understand a little better why I've met some Chinese parents who seem very uptight (for lack of a better word). Had I gone through some of the things they did, I'd probably be the same way.
Some parts of this book were a little harder for me to get through than others. Some parts I flew by with no problems. All in all though, this was a good book. And I'm very glad that I never had to experience some of the things that were discussed in this book first hand.
I'm glad for the slightly better understanding of China in the 40s-50s. And for Northern California during that time and after as well. I mean I've read the dry text of history books about Chinese immigrants but it's not the same as either hearing someone tell their first hand account or reading someone's account (even if it's a fictional book based on people's first hand accounts). The difference being that history books tend to tell mostly just the facts and leave out the human issues. Whereas someone's account tells you the things that history doesn't tell you. Subtle acts of racism. The culture shock between America and China. And everything else (whether it be rich going to poor or not so rich or poor going to rich etc).
I definitely think that just about everyone should read this book (just about meaning that those who haven't should).
I enjoyed the different viewpoints of this book. From the viewpoints of the elders and the children. And I like that all the viewpoints are from the women's point of view.
It's partially made me understand a little better why I've met some Chinese parents who seem very uptight (for lack of a better word). Had I gone through some of the things they did, I'd probably be the same way.
Some parts of this book were a little harder for me to get through than others. Some parts I flew by with no problems. All in all though, this was a good book. And I'm very glad that I never had to experience some of the things that were discussed in this book first hand.
I'm glad for the slightly better understanding of China in the 40s-50s. And for Northern California during that time and after as well. I mean I've read the dry text of history books about Chinese immigrants but it's not the same as either hearing someone tell their first hand account or reading someone's account (even if it's a fictional book based on people's first hand accounts). The difference being that history books tend to tell mostly just the facts and leave out the human issues. Whereas someone's account tells you the things that history doesn't tell you. Subtle acts of racism. The culture shock between America and China. And everything else (whether it be rich going to poor or not so rich or poor going to rich etc).
I definitely think that just about everyone should read this book (just about meaning that those who haven't should).