Rating: 
Summary: I won't let my kids read this book
Review: Having been born and raised in Taiwan, I'm now a naturalized American, and have teenagers whose high scool English class puts Joy Luck Club on the reading list. I tell my kids, "This book tells such a sick picture of the Chinese culture, I'd rather you not choose this book." Why? For one, I had never had a fortune cookie in Taiwan, and was surprised to see fortune cookies here in the U.S. To me, Joy Luck Club is a fortune cookie, appealing to those who don't know the reality of the Chinese culture. For a REAL knowledge of the Chinese people and their ways, I'd recommend Iron And Silk, by Mark Salzman. Yeas ago I read Salzman and felt he really understood and knew the real Chinese soul. Please, if you're an English teacher reading this, try to read Iron And Silk, and put that on your reading list. Thanks! If my kids read that book, I will feel like I can talk to them about, "Hey, that's what China is like." I will feel my kids got to know a bit about my native country.
Rating: 
Summary: A Perfect 10
Review: This is definitely one of the best books that I have ever read. It shows the bond of mother and daughter when they are so very different. The reason that I gave this a 10, is because it is well written and really shows emotion in her writing
Rating: 
Summary: "Once more into the breach..."
Review: I first saw the movie around 4 years ago, and now I am teaching it as a GCE "O" level examination text. Me, a male 4th-generation descendant of Southern Chinese immigrants, sharing with 36 15- year-old male students, the experiences of 2 generations of women in America. A pretty mind-boggling experience, I can tell you! It's even harder when the class knows you as a tough guy, into trekking, kayaking and climbing! Just scanning the reviews can show how controversial this book continues to be. Be that as it may, I enjoyed reading the book, because behind every situation and mother-daughter relationship depicted,a truth about a mother's hope, aspiration, not to mention quirky behaviour, were to be found. I was made to recall some of those typical ways my own mother tried to make me drink the murky soup she sometimes brewed, putting, as it were, a little of the ancestral wisdom into it each time; the exhortations to study hard during those growing up years etc. Bearing that in mind, Amy Tan has done an astounding job, not unlike an alchemist's, in gelling together not only a believable story, but also one which has the ability to prompt readers to probe their own experiences and thank their mothers for being there. The second half of that point, is that the characterisation is real. The characters do not appear flat, but in fact convincing. However, I can also see where the critics are coming from, when they cry that some characters reinforce Asian stereotypes eg. the mothers who take pride in downplaying their daughters' achievements etc. Yet, just a few years ago, a deluge of management books on understanding the Asian economic miracle were likewise focusing on those stereotyped traits, and these books did not receive half the criticism levelled at this book. In sum, the Joy Luck Club was an enjoyable book, not up there to be remembered as literary classic for eternity, but more of a heartwarming story, to remind us of a mother's love and hopes.
Rating:
Summary: An Enchanting story of Family Ties--middle school student
Review: Joy Luck Club is a marvelous novel of family traditions and dreams. However, there were times when I had to read specific parts over. When you find a greater understanding, you are more likely to get more out of the story itself. I recently saw the made-for-television picture, and found that just as well enchanting. It's a lot easier to comprehend novels when you actually get to see and hear at the same time. I feel the same way for other novel-turned movies. Like John Grisham, Danielle Steel, to name a few. Joy Luck, I found was very enjoyable, entertaining, and heartfelt. Good job Amy Tan!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely incredible!! A must read.
Review: This book really opened my eyes to Asian culture. It allows you to see it from womens views aswell, and how the culture affects them. It was very well writen, and poetic. I enjoyed it very much!
Rating:
Summary: 'Neutral' book
Review: If it is read as a form of entertainment, it is a very wonderful story, but if it is used as an O-level English Literature text, then it does not appear as interesting. The story is somehow quite complicated in the sense that it has a lot of points to be taken note of, eg the significance of the weeds, the dreams that Rose Hsu had when she was young and so on. This book somehow serves better as an A-level text, in such a way that it requires more 'life experience' and deep thinking. I mean, if you read this as a novel, then you will not have to take great note of these minor points, but if you are having a test on this book, then you have to know these points. On the whole, I like this book very much in the sense that it related quite a lot to me. Although I am a Chinese, I am influenced by Western thinking and I understand how the daughters feel.
Rating:
Summary: An Immigrant Story
Review: I was very suprised to see the review describing this book as supporting stereotypes. I am not asian and therefore cannot argue with you. I know that when I read the book I see it as a story of two worlds...the immigrant's story. I was only three when my family moved to this country from the mid-east and constantly feel my two worlds pulling me in different directions. I thought The Joy Luck Club portrayed this conflict very well. It is about the tradition and supertition of the homeland colliding with american values. I was fortunate to at twelve years old visit the country my parents grew up in. It is too bad that all immigrant children cannot do this. I now take less of what I have for granted, but I will never completely understand my mother's world. This book is not about Chinese women to me but rather immigrant women. Women who come to this country to escape their horrors and have daughters who cannot relate to them. When my mother and I talk about Amy Tan (we both have read all her books) we focus on the feelings we share with her characters. I would recommend this book to anyone especially immigrant women and their daughters.
Rating:
Summary: a must-read
Review: Amy Tan did a brilliant job to tie the lives of two generations of Chinese-American women. Their sufferings, their triumphs, their hopes. She gives them life with her Chinese brush and American paint. This novel is about reclaiming the past so one can better experience the present. A story with infinite sadness and laughter at the same time. A must-read.
Rating:
Summary: Separating fact from fiction
Review: This beautifully told book about the lives of Chinese-American women have infuriated many Asians. It's unfortunate. They should understand that Tan was telling a story, her version, of what she saw with her almond eyes. If she wanted to be completely accurate about Chinese cutoms, traditions, historical date and places, then she would have written a history book, not a novel. After being disappointed by the movie, I was alarmingly pleased with the book. Tan is a wonderful story teller remembering bits of stories she must have overheard from her relatives or from shop vendors in Chinatown. Although I am Korean-American, it was easy for me to relate to many episodes in the book. Even if I wasn't born Asian-American, I think I would have felt the same. And this, I believe, is the appeal of the book to the Americans. We can't say Tan is stereotyping. That is as naive as saying all Asians look alike. Tan's humor and lyricism as well as human themes tie in her readers regardless of gender and ethnicity. My only regret about this book is the lack of literary techniques which could have been developed further to enhance the book. Tan's literary style, however is exquisite, like a breath of spring breeze blowing in on a still chilly March day.
Rating:
Summary: A exciting look at China's ways.
Review: This Book is about four Chinese women telling five different tales of their childhood. All the stories tell about the daughters and their mothers, and also a little information about their families. In their tales you will hear about a moon lady, a child promised in marriage at two, and a woman who kills herself believing she can come back from the dead and get revenge on her husband. This book tells the ways of ancient China, then mixes them with modern American ways to create a wonderful and exciting story. I recommend this book to everyone who wants a real adventure through the eyes of China.
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