The Joy Luck Club

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Summary: The Joy Luck Club
Review: Have you ever imagined how your life would be if you moved from"your country" to "their country?" Amy Tan, authorof The Joy Luck Club, did a fantastic job of pulling me (the reader)into the lives of four Chinese women that were affected by their"move" from China to America in the nineteen forties. The"move" later affects their daughter's choices. The minute Ipicked up the novel I was mesmerized with the memories shared, lessonslearned, and four very different mother-daughter relationships. Ienjoyed the cultural aspect of The Joy Luck Club. The game from Chinais the organizing principle of the book. June's mother says,"[My] idea was to have a gathering of four women, one for eachcorner of the mahjong table." The author clearly tells stories ofthe four women and their daughters, and how it effects both theirlives. The author indicates that June benefits a great deal from thisclub, when she takes her mother's place after her death.

Naturally,daughters and mothers have frequent disagreements. Amy Tan shows thisthoughtout the book, which creates a strong tone of reality. I canrelate easily with the daughters, in their desires to escape fromparental guidance and gain freedom. Afterall, even now my mother usesher past experiences to aid in guiding and shaping my life. I feelthat I will treasure that practice and apply it to my children aswell. Because of this book I now look differently at my mother'sfinal verdicts. As I read I kept in mind the thought- if thedaughters would have just listened to their mothers, and not theiruncompromising minds, they could have avoided so much pain. Forinstance, comments such as "If the lips are gone, the teeth willbe cold." This thought speaks clearly for the reader, bringingtruth and meaning to the text. If the lips are removed, protection isnot present, and therefore the teeth will not be as they should.Applying it to The Joy Luck Club - if the daughters do not take theirmother's nurturing advice the results of rebellion may end insuffering. If I were brought into the situation (as one of thedaughters) i would have dealt with the situation just as they did.Fortunatly, I gained wisdom being the reader, and will apply thewisdom to my daily life, and especially my personal encounters with mymother. Nevertheless, the mothers in this novel have their way ofinstilling an irritating feeling in their daughters character withcomments such as, "You want to live like mess. What I cansay?" Are all moms alike? The majoriy of mothers are pros atlaying a guilt trip or just saying things to get us to think... itworks for me. The daughters in this novel somewhat pick up on thisconcept as well. Not much reading took place before I was standingback and observing all angles of the mother-daughter issues. This isdue to Amy Tan's rmarkable choice of words. Although well written,this novel is a challenge to follow - keeping up with which characteris speaking from page to page. The confusion contributes to thereader's intense curiosity, which makes the read more exciting andreal. Read The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and find out for yourself. Idid, and I am truely rewarded because of it.

Rating:
Summary: The Joy Luck Club
Review: Have you ever imagined how your life would be if you moved from "your country" to "their country?" Amy Tan, author of The Joy Luck Club, did a fantastic job of pulling me (the reader) into the lives of four Chinese women that were affected by their "move" from China to America in the nineteen forties. The "move" later affects their daughter's choices. The minute I picked up this novel I was mesmerized with the memories shared, lessons learned, and four very different mother-daughter relationships. I enjoyed the cultural aspect of The Joy Luck Club. The game from China is the organizing principle of the book. June's mother says, "[My] idea was to have a gathering of four women, one for each corner of the mahjong table." The author clearly tells the stories of the four women and their daughter's issues. Amy Tan indicates that June benefits a great deal from this club, especially after her mother death. Naturally, daughter and mothers have their frequent disagreements. Amy Tan show this throughout the book, which creates a tone of reality. I can relate easily with the daughters in their desire to escape from parental guidence and gain freedom. Afterall, even now my mother too uses her past experiences to aid in guiding and shaping my life. I feel that I will treasure that practice and apply it to my children as well. Because of this book, I now look differently at my mother's final verdicts. In the back of my mind, as I read, I thought, if the daughters would listen to their mothers and not their uncompromising minds, they could avoid so much pain. For instance, a comments such as this, "If the lips are gone, the teeth are cold." This thought speaks clearly to me as an outsider, with truth and meaning. It makes sense, if the lips are removed, protection is not present for the teeth, therefore, the teeth will not be as they should. Applying it to The Joy Luck Club - if the daughters do not take their mothers nurturing advice their results of rebellion may end in suffering (and did). Bringing myself in the situation (as one of the daughters), I would have dealt with the issues as they did. Fortunatly, I gained wisdom instead. Applying it to my everyday life and especially my personal encounters with my mother will be rewarding. Nevertheless, the mothers in this novel have their ways of instilling an irritating feeling in their daughters, with comments such as "You want to live like mess. What I can say?" Are all moms alike? This above statement is border line to something to think about, and a guilt trip for the day. Mothers are masters at it, Amy Tan shows me examples of that and I frequently experience it with my mother. Not much reading took place before I was standing back and observing all angles of the mother-daughter issues. This is due to Amy Tan's remarkable choice of words. Although well written, this novel is a challenge to follow - meaning knowing which character is speaking from page to page. This confusion contributes to the reader's intense curiosity, which makes the read more exciting and real. Read The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, and find out what it can bring to you. I am truely rewarded for doing so.

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Summary: Mothers and dauthers
Review: THis is an excellent book about the universal relationships between mothers and daugthers. What Amy Tan manages to achieve is communicate to teh readers how despite cultural differences and backgrounds, the love/confrontation between the two different generations is always the same. The fact that the mothers are Chinese immigrants only enhances the readers' experience and brings up the common feelings.

In addition to this major theme, however, The Joy Luck Club gives us a cultural perspective of China, the Chinese immigrant community and the way it adapts while retaining its cultural identity. The stories of each of the eight women are engrossing, each bringing to light the factors that shape that woman's character.

I just ordered the Bone Setter's Daughter and really hope it is as good as The Joy Luck Club.

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Summary: Amy Tan is remarkable
Review: I purchased this book as part of my reading list for university -- I found that once I started reading I couldn't put it down. The book is a collection of stories about these 4 Chinese women who have moved to San Francisco, who make up the Joy Luck Club. It is a wonderful book about the relationships between mothers and daughters and the cultural/generational gaps facing their families. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good read.

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Summary: Book for any generation
Review: After visiting Hong Kong last Fall, I found myself entangled in Chinese culture. There were not enough movies I could see, so I started reading books too. One thing is sure about this book. Once you open its cover and start, you will find yourself so involved in on of the most beautiful inroductions ever. So the introduction carries you over and you cannot let go until you are done reading. Ms. Tan is wonderfully talented writer with a story to tell that relates to any generation. Knowing that my husband would probably not read the book by his choice (book about four women and their daugthters, was not quite a good pitch), I rented a movie and had him see it. After seeing the movie which keeps very close to the plot in the book, my husband was finally ready to read the book himself. It was the first time, in the long time, I saw him crying...I on the other hand, am ready to start another one of Ms. Tan's books. As a matter of fact, I am looking forward to it.

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Summary: A Wisdom of the Past
Review: The beauty of this novel is the way in the the lives of mother and daughter so intricately parallel eachother. Though their mothers grew up in China, under much different circumstances, their lives seemed to become entrenched in the same unhappiness and misfortune. However, it is only through their mother's experiences and wisdome that these daughters are able to change and improve thier lives in ways only imagined by their mothers. I think it is an excellent example of the strength of the mother/daughter bond and the strength of women in general.

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Summary: Dear Ms. Amy Tan
Review: I just recently finished reading one of your novels titled the Joy Luck club. My stepmother recommended it saying I would enjoy it. I can honestly say it was one of the hardest books to put down. The only reason I did put it down was becuase it was late at night and I had to go to school the next day. I myself enjoy readin short stories. On of many great things about thsi book is that many women can relate to it. The way you use detail is absoultly amazing. Sometimes you feel so connected and lost in the book that is it is like you are actually in the book yourself. This is a rare and mesmerizing novel that describes the love and misunderstanding that lies between two generations. Any women can connect herself to June in the story. She is a second generation chinese women who was raised in america. Because all the stories are different you get the feel of what it was like being raised in china over 50 years ago. This is a great novel for anyone who enjoys reading stories based on actual historical eevents. I did not know a thing about any of the strugglesthat women had to deal with. I also didnt know anything abuot men being able to have more than one wife and the wives being called wife#1 and wifew#. It is also nice to read a novel about a mother and daughter relationship. I would recommend this to any women, who enjoys short stories, interested in the culture and history of china, or anyone who would just like to sit down one night and read a great book

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Summary: I love the book and the movie
Review: I had heard a lot of criticism from friends I made online regards it's negative portrayal of Asian males. I didn't find it to be the case (and I'm an Asian male too). I can't say enough good things about this book. The hardest part for me was keeping track of all the wonderous characters. Highly Recommended

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Summary: Review for an English class
Review: In the beginning of the year I asked my step-mom to recommend a good book or novel to read for my free reading section in English class. She recommended that I read Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan. I sat down one night and began reading it. It was so incredibly hard to put down, but I had to I had school in the morning. Personally I am one who enjoys reading short stories compared to long boring ones. This book is comprised or many short stories from Chinese women who have experienced it all, from the war to death, from life to being the child in a home where you aren't wanted. All the stories and women are centered around 1 think and that is a Mah Jong table. The great thing about this book is any women can relate to the stories in it. They can also relate to many of the characters and the decisions they face in the world today. Also the way details are explained in this book is absolutely mesmerizing. Sometimes you feel so connected to the book its almost as if you were in it. It is a rare and mesmerizing novel that describes the love and misunderstanding that lies between two generations. I would really only recommend this book to women, short story readers, and anyone interested in the culture and history between Chinese women today. I enjoyed this book and I am sure anyone else would agree.

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Summary: Wonderful but does even the author see the deeper tragedy?
Review: Having just finished the Joy Luck Club it is a wonderful series of beautifully described stories of hope against hope, attempting to find some happiness and luck amidst the tragedy. However, apart from seeing how the book works so well for so many different readers whether appreciating the tragedy of the situation or the irony of losing one culture amidst the hope of retaining it in pursuit of a new life in a new one. Despite the undeniably harsh and mostly unavoidable 'fate' and obligation which the mothers of this story went through there is an even deeper level of this story which I am left wondering if the author herself actually understands the irony of, or whether she simply tells it as she sees it not even knowing the greatest irony of all which has been passed down to her from one generation to the next and which this generation lives out to the full - perhaps reflecting so much of the author's own ability or inability to see through the haze to what has really been shown. Particularly towards the end of the book, what really comes across strongly - beyond the metaphors and symbolism heaped layer upon layer throughout the story - is the sense that the characters do not really know, and scarcely wish to admit, their own failings. The mothers who, when they had a real choice in life, married not for love but for benefit both earlier and then later on coming to America. Others who tricked their way into people's affections for their own benefit, never mentioning that they cared for their new partner instead merely wondering why, on later reflection, they ever choose that partner - loyal and kind and supportive as he may be - then remembering they never really made that choice at all and that it was their friend in fact who told them, or that they convinced themselves that it was what 'should' happen even though there was no obligation to make that choice thus fulfilling their own prophecy and justifying it all with superstition - real or imagined. How it makes me wonder, amidst all of this double talk (e.g. the mother saying she doesn't have tiger eyes but then saying that she does and that it's merely her daughter who cannot see them, or the mother who not merely is unconcerned during the planning, as to whether she has a baby boy or baby girl in the US for the purpose of tricking her way to American citizenship but who can laugh at the prospect that it wouldn't even matter which it is as 'neither will learn to look after them in their old age'. This is the real tragedy of these stories. Not merely the past lives and the unfulfilled hope for the future but the fact that on looking for that great future for themselves and their children, they are sowing the seeds of their own all too certain downfall amidst a sea of loveless marriages and where even the children are born so that the mother can 'change her circumstances' and become an American citizen. Sure there's a justification for it but that belies the consequences which these actions create; the seeds of future loveless, meaningless relationships. None of the characters express their deep love or passion for one another, merely obligation, distrust or resentment of one another....and no wonder when they have no reason to believe they were conceived for love and joy rather than merely for function. There is also a lot of confusion in the story - and perhaps also the mind of the author, almost as if she does not know whether she feels truly Chinese but just appearing to be American on the surface or whether in fact she's truly American with just a tiny voice inside her wishing she were truly Chinese. The clever way in which these tales have been told conceals the fact that they are so riddled with self-justification - the characters having just revealed a truth but then change their story in the vain hope that their daughters will not grow up to be like them, lacking in hope and meaning and without knowing where they're truly going. As for the daughters themselves, freed from the constraints of their past they become complacent and wasteful, heaping shallow short term valuelessness on top of a deep rooted sense of not knowing what a true relationship really is, not knowing what they want from their marriages and seeming entirely 'lost' wondering even why they ever entered them in the first place. The minimal parts which these men are allowed show them yet to be giving, sharing, easily compromising and yes - with one exception - totally loyal as well! Shame that they seem to be shortchanged, being picked up and discarded through the women's inability to know where they are themselves going. Mostly though the multitude of male characters are mentioned but little more, except for those who featured strongly in the mothers' pasts - which in these women's tales means the nastier ones equating to the bitterness and tragedy of their former lives. The many others: brothers, fathers, husbands and friends are all there and perhaps at times actually appreciated a little but never truly valued and almost never truly loved. In the pursuit of their own change of circumstances - at whatever cost to themselves - these women have laid the foundation for the loss of everything they truly valued and much of the hope and real love that their children could have had. As one reviewer has already mentioned, the irony of losing their culture despite expecting their daugthers to follow it devoutly is no better shown than at the front of section one where the Swan's feather - a symbol of hope and thereby an embodied symbol of all the metaphors of Chinese culture - cannot be truly understood by their daughters until such time as the mothers can explain it in to them in their new tongue, by which time they will have grown so much apart and have so little understanding of where their mothers really came from that all true meaning of the culture and symbolism will have been lost in the 'translation' to a new culture and language. After all how can the daughters understand something which they have nothing to relate it to - if indeed it ever could have been described in terms of such a different language and culture.

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