Donald Duk: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Goong hay fot choy!
Review: As I write, Chinese New Year is coming in about a week. What better way to celebrate by reading this small masterpiece (that takes place during Chinese New Year). This book is also like a history book. You'll find out about how the Chinese broke the tracklaying record (in chapters 4, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17). The Chinese have been underestimated about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. In fact, when they finished building it on May 10, 1869 at Promontory, they were left out of the famous picture. Unfair, isn't it? But, this is what King Duk has to say: "Fair? What's fair? History is war, not sport! You think if you are real good boy for them, do what they do, like what they like, get good grades in their schools, they will take care of you forever? Do you believe that? You're dreaming, boy. That is faith, sincere belief in the goodness of others and none of your own. That's mysticism. You believe in the goodness of others to cover your butt, you're good for nothing. So, don't expect me to get mad or be surprised the bokgwai never told our history in any of their books you happen to read in the library, looking for yourself. You gotta keep the history yourself or lose it forever, boy. That's the mandate of heaven."

Don't worry, folks. There isn't anything made up here about history or culture. Every conceivable stereotype about Chinese is demolished in this important book.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: Donald Duk is an excellent book for ALL readers, not just Asians. I'm an African American woman and I found the book insightful and eye-opening. The book made me realize that as a minority you forget that you're not the only one who has to deal with daily prejudices and embarassment because you wish you could for one day be the majority. I recommend this book for everyone, not just for minorities but for the majority as well. I read this book as part of an English class in college.

Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Dream
Review: Growing up, there was always that one person you wanted to be. That one person you were reminded of everyday in the media that seemed so much more glamorous than your average lifestyle. For Donald Duk, being Chinese wasn't quite satisfying enough. He dreamt about being Fred Astaire, his Americanized idol. The whole novel bases its message on being happy with what you got, something I feel important growing up in a self-centered America.
Donald is a 12 year old boy living in the streets of Chinatown in San Francisco. His life experiences are similar to the stereotyped foreigner. He gets made fun of by the Chinatown bullies, leaving him with no self-respect and dignity for himself. He realizes the stereotypical aspects of American-Chinese and it drives him to unhealthily hate himself. I think the message of this book can reach out to so many people who are in similar situations with their social life.
The novel puts Donald in a period of life where self image starts to become an important thing. I could really connect to this because around the same period of my life, this was also important. He wants to just be American so bad that he has negativity for all things Chinese. Hatred is found in several ways including food, culture, and way of life. He hates the weird foods; he hates the embarrassing, easy to baffle names including his. Donald is constantly being made fun of by his ridiculous link to the Walt Disney Donald Duck. Even his mother's name is Daisy. He even hates his uncle who performs Chinese opera seldom at him school; imagine that. Even his best friend appreciates the culture more than he does. Basically he would do anything to be anything but Chinese. I know I've been so ungrateful at times. After reading this novel, you feel much more self-assured. You don't get that much in literature.
This book contains good balance to imply the message with the introduction of Donald's father, King Duk. He is the wise, old man carrying mentoring features for Donald. If it weren't for his father, Donald would be lost in American culture. He shows him how to adapt instead of completely transform. He makes it important that instead of being laughed at, laugh with. You don't gain much knowledge with out experience.
If you're not familiar with Chinese culture, some parts of the book can be a little cloudy. There were some parts that I could get completely lost in, but the ultimate message shined through. The dreams that he endures about being an underground rail-road builder in the 1800's is what turns him around. The dream sequences were my favorite, switching the story up with eccentric details. He finds out that the Chinese are just as creditable as anyone else and have received no recognition for it. He starts to appreciate where he has come from, becoming a happier person. The adaptation process starts to come easy to him, making him proud of his individualism.
Sometimes you just need the help of others to see more clearly. For Donald, his dreams opened up the passageway for him. Also, through the help of his family and friends, he could actually start to enjoy himself. Chinese culture is one that holds a lot of values. Back in China, death could even result from breaking this. Throughout the book, the main values presented were family, respect, and righteousness. Frank Chin did a very good job of combining freedom of choice by America with the traditional values of Chinese. This is a book we could all learn a little from.


Rating:
Summary: Horrible Book
Review: I detest this book. I through it out immediately after I was forced to read it for class. Never read it. The best review that I can give is: Piece of sh*t. Just don't read it.

Rating:
Summary: Overrated
Review: I read this book in my freshman Foundations to Literature Class in high school. From the first page, I found this book incredibly boring. Frank Chin uses the 3rd person to write his novel about a boy who hates his heritage. While there are a couple interesting dream sequences (the only reason this book got 2 stars), the book is continually boring. The ending in particular is horrible, and leaves many uninteresting questions that the book is based on unanswered. I highly discourage you from buying this incredibly overrated book.

Rating:
Summary: The right balance of a wonderful story and engaging prose.
Review: This book is one of the rare novels that combines an interesting story with outstanding writing. Frank Chin's style -- rhythmic syntax reminiscent of Beat poets with a decisively modern edge -- is reason enough to read this tale of a young boy's acceptance and embracing of his cultural identity and heritage. I've read it twice already and there will be many more readings to come; it's a good frequent stopping place in the hermeneutic circle for anyone who has dealt with his or her own ethnic identity crisis.