Rating: Summary: Moved to Tears Review: I challenge you to read this book with dry eyes. In a beautiful web of joy and tragedy, Tan paints the landscape of the human soul. This book is not only a testimony to Asian- American and woman power but a beautiful story of all people. At a powerful pace, Amy Tan catapaults from China to America, with never a dull moment. In this journey, she tells the stories of four Chinese women and their Chinese- American daughters and their "Joy Luck Club", a mah jong group. The 8 players trade off chapters, telling their tragic, beautiful tales. We hear of the magic Moon Lady,of a concubine who kills herself to save her daughter's status, a child chess prodigy whose pride deystroys her game, of a woman forced to abandon her children and her other daughter who will soon be reunited with her lost sibings, and of how a brilliant young woman escapes her arranged marriage. Throughout the tragedy and despair these women feel, losing everything, not understanding their mothers, not understanding their daughters, all is knit together by a web of hope. The free soul can surmount anything, and Tan's novel is a worthy read for all audiences.
Rating: Summary: not just a "girly" book Review: At first, I saw the movie a year ago. Then, i had to read the book for my english poject. I really enjoyed the book because I did not have trouble getting to learn and keeping up with all eight characters. I understood their relationships in this book. How? I think it is because I can relate to the book. My mother is the same way with her children. She pushes and pushes us to go to school and be a "doctor." The mothers of this story strongly encourage their daughters to be their best. They mainly do this because they pay most of their attention to what the other women think. There is also a competition within each and everyone of the main characters. They strive at being the better chinese mother. By doing this, they put their daughters in a lot of stress. Each set of mother and daughter have their own separate story to tell. All of the mothers in this story are part of a group called "Joy Luck Club." I titled this review, not just a "girly" book, because many people have the impression that this is a book preferably read by females. It is not true because I am coninced thea more guys should read this book and hopefully learn something from this. I definitely learned alot by reading this novel.
Rating: Summary: Book brings me back to my roots Review: A recommended book for anyone with a desire for a great book. A perfect book for a teenager wondering much about his heritage this is great book. Having many things to relate to. Such as how his family is and how it feels to be growing up now a days I have also seen the movie which is almost as good as the book but is missing some scenes and in a different order than the book. Reading this book has gotten me to want to read all of her other books. Amy Tam has to be one of the best Chinese or Asian American writers out there at this time. She makes the connection between our roots and our present day of living in the world. To who and me my roots are who makes me the person I am today I will become in my years to come. So I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks these thoughts are just as importantly and who wants to read a GREAT book!
Rating: Summary: An amazing book for the generations Review: This is an amazing book. It is about four Chinese mothers, and their daughters that were born in America. It tells two stories of each mother while she was in China and two stories about the daughters living in America. It is very interesting how what happened to the mothers in China effected how they treated their daughters in America. The way that the different gengerations felt about their Chinese heritage was very interesing to me. The Girls that were born in America seem to be almost embarassed of their familys, and the mothers from China embrace the fact that they are Chinese. All the character are very different and they all seem to complement each other .I think thatI would recommend this book to girls more then boys because some of the issues that are talked about are specific to girls. I think that I would also recommend this book for people 11 and up because some of the vocabulary is a little difficult to understand. All and all I thought that this book was very good and I would recommends it to most everybody.
Rating: Summary: What a wonderful world Tan has created Review: Listening to the compilation of the best songs of your favorite artist is just like reading this magnificent book - infatuating, stimulating and fascinating.The Joy Luck Club is a compilation of 16 beautifully titled chapters about the stories of 4 mothers and 4 daughters.Shadows from the past of those mothers were revealed when they observed the contemporary lifestyle of their American-born daughters.The reminiscence of their history in China will make you tend to your seat and listen to what Amy Tan has to say in this book from the beginning until the end.Tan has made mother and daughter her own subject in this wonderful book and it works magically through an important aspect- love. This book will inspire you with intense fondness.The story has stayed in my mind for a long time - like air and dust- inseparable.This is the first novel by Amy Tan,the best of hers and the most unforgettable novel I've ever read.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Review: Story writing at its finest. Tan's exploration of the mother/daughter relationship within the chinese community weaves a wonderful tale. Don't miss this one !!
Rating: Summary: The Joy Luck Club- A Wonderful Book Review: The Joy Luck Club, written by Amy Tan, was an absolutely amazing book. It tells the story of the past and present lives of four mothers, and their four daughters. The four mothers were the originators of the Joy Luck Club. Each mother was one of the "winds" at the mahjong table. The way Tan switched stories each chapter was quite interesting. The next chapter had no relation to the previous chapter, so it really had us focused on that story. My favorite story was the story about Suyuan Woo's life, and her unfinished business in China
Rating: Summary: The Joy Luck Club, by JY Review: I read this book for a school project and am very pleased with the overall story. The stories for each character were intriguing and kept me reading to find out what happens next. Each daughter/mother pair has a different relationship that they are each trying to figure out. The mothers find that they have passed on their misfortunes to their daughters, while the daughters themselves are not aware of it, because of their need to rebel against their mothers. Growing up in an American society, with Chinese influences is hard for the girls, which is the reason why they do not understand their mothers' views. The novel was an excellent quality piece and I would recommend it to almost anyone. Even some of the male population should try it out, because they might be pleasantly surprised.
Rating: Summary: Generation Connection Review: No matter how different it could be bringing up a child, the difficulty in doing that in foreign countries, with different traditions, the blood between family members is stronger than it all, and will always come on top no matter what. Amy Tan uses the chinese culture to perfection in demonstrating the diversity between mothers and daughters. The difference in generations, and the stubbornness and beliefs of each one. A recommended book to read, it is easier to understand it if you are familiar with the chinese culture, but gives an excellent example to what mistakes we could fall into, and how it is so essential to learn from our experiences. The story could get slow for a while but if you are used to Amy Tan's style you would know that it will get better.
Rating: Summary: The Joy Luck Club A Refreshing Story Review: The Joy Luck Club, written by acclaimed writer, Amy Tan, is hauntingly beautiful in its own way, telling about Chinese people, and the world, from the perspective of four mothers and their American-raised daughters. These people include Suyuan Woo and Jing-mei "June" Woo, An-mei Hsu and Rose Hsu Jordan, Lindo Jong and Waverly Jong, Ying Ying St. Clair and Lena St. Clair. Each tells a tale of suffering and grief, happiness and love, while teaching us the wisdom of the Joy Luck Club, where the mothers meet to play mahjong and trade stocks. When Suyuan Woo, a crucial member of club, dies of an anerysm, Jing-mei learns that Suyuan's long lost daughters-the ones Suyuan had to abandon years ago- are alive in China. Jing-mei comes to terms with herself and learns about her mother's past. However, each daughter also faces many obstacles in life. Rose Hsu is trying to get through a divorce without suffering a nervous breakdown. Waverly Jong wants to tell her mother that she is getting married, but she is afraid criticism will overcome her thoughts. Lena St. Clair is facing insecurities about her marriage. While each women discusses their fears and problems, they will soon encounter memories never forgotten.
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