The Joy Luck Club: A Novel
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Amy Tan’s modern classic that examines the sometimes painful, often tender, and always deep connection between mothers and daughters—now with a new preface
“For me, [The Joy Luck Club] was one of those once-in-a-lifetime reading experiences that you cherish forever. It inspired me as a writer and still remains hugely inspirational.”—Kevin Kwan, author of Crazy Rich Asians
“Brilliant.”—The Washington Post Book World
“A jewel of a book.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Amy Tan [is] a writer of dazzling talent.”—Chicago Tribune
In 1949, four Chinese women, recent immigrants to San Francisco, begin meeting to play mah jong, remember the past, and gossip into the night. United in unspeakable loss and new hope, they call themselves the Joy Luck Club.
With wit and sensitivity, Amy Tan examines the memories that display these women’s strength, worries, and determination. As each woman reveals her secrets, trying to unravel the truth about her life, the strings become more tangled, more entwined. Mothers boast or despair over daughters, and daughters roll their eyes even as they feel the inextricable tightening of the matriarchal ties that they believe have stymied their ability to face the uncertainties of the future.
Intimate and moving, The Joy Luck Club shows us how the inheritance of pain and unspoken secrets can lead to misunderstanding—and yet how love can still offer the promise of reconciliation.
“For me, [The Joy Luck Club] was one of those once-in-a-lifetime reading experiences that you cherish forever. It inspired me as a writer and still remains hugely inspirational.”—Kevin Kwan, author of Crazy Rich Asians
“Brilliant.”—The Washington Post Book World
“A jewel of a book.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Amy Tan [is] a writer of dazzling talent.”—Chicago Tribune
In 1949, four Chinese women, recent immigrants to San Francisco, begin meeting to play mah jong, remember the past, and gossip into the night. United in unspeakable loss and new hope, they call themselves the Joy Luck Club.
With wit and sensitivity, Amy Tan examines the memories that display these women’s strength, worries, and determination. As each woman reveals her secrets, trying to unravel the truth about her life, the strings become more tangled, more entwined. Mothers boast or despair over daughters, and daughters roll their eyes even as they feel the inextricable tightening of the matriarchal ties that they believe have stymied their ability to face the uncertainties of the future.
Intimate and moving, The Joy Luck Club shows us how the inheritance of pain and unspoken secrets can lead to misunderstanding—and yet how love can still offer the promise of reconciliation.
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Community Reviews
Beautiful, touching, moving story. I was surprised it was from the perspective of 3 living women and 4 daughters. At times it was hard to keep track of whose childhood was who and whose mother is who. It did add an interesting element to the story. Loved the themes and story telling. I would read again.
It is a very beautiful book, telling the story of Chinese mothers with daughters raised in the USA. All the clashes they have, and the female heritage of their families. My only criticism is that it doesn't connect the stories well, and I got a little lost, but otherwise it's excellent.
I was surprised by the structure of this book, with alternating chapters in first person POV by each of the 8 women (4 mothers, 4 daughters). The stories of the mothers helped explain their often challenging relationships with the daughters, esp. those who didn't know their own mothers' histories. The full circle quality of the collection of stories -- ending with June going to China to meet her half-sisters -- tied it all together. Looking forward to watching the film (screenplay co-written by Amy Tan and Ron Bass -- he also wrote "Rain Man") with my book club members next week and discussing the book vs. the film.
Good book. I'd recommend reading an actual book rather than an e-version so you can flip back and forth.
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