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Book Review of The Joy Luck Club

The Joy Luck Club
The Joy Luck Club
Author: Amy Tan
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
kayprime avatar reviewed on + 38 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


I mildly enjoyed this book though I will probably never read it again. If I had read it as a teen, I may have appreciated it more.

Besides finding the writing to be a bit elementary, initially this book was lacking a voice. The story (or stories, as it were) did not appear to be coming from an authentic place. It seemed to be a very watered- down look into Chinese culture- a tourist's version. Toward the end of the book, however, that missing voice finally begin to speak. I felt the history behind the traditional Chinese mothers and the recognition of the Americanized daughters. (Though, 50 pages of engaging reading does not make up for the injustice of the first 200 pages.)

So far, this is the only time that I will recommend the movie over the book (and it pains me to even have to suggest it).