Community Reviews
"The twisted inversion that many children of immigrants know is that, at some point, your parents become your children, and your own personal American dream becomes making sure they age and die with dignity in a country that never wanted them (p. 123)"
-----------
I don't really know what to say other than wow. As a child of immigrants, I think it is hard to share with others how daunting the pressure to achieve the American dream and meet your immigrant parents' expectations can be. This is well written and shines a light on all those expectations and the physical/emotional effects they have through the eyes of the author. All the while it leaves you broken and feeling helpless, reminding you that despite the efforts to contribute to America society, you will never truly fit in. You are only as good as your work is. Once you get old, your are disposable and a burden to those who you tried to provide a better life for. It accurately describes the loneliness an immigrant feels and the constant fear undocumented immigrants live under.
My only hope is that this book can help someone know that we are all in the same boat. We face many of the same fears and are under the same pressure. Despite this, just like Karla, we can find little ways to help others and to give back to those who are also struggling. Only by helping each other can we escape the loneliness and depression that comes with being unwanted in a strange new land.
-----------
I don't really know what to say other than wow. As a child of immigrants, I think it is hard to share with others how daunting the pressure to achieve the American dream and meet your immigrant parents' expectations can be. This is well written and shines a light on all those expectations and the physical/emotional effects they have through the eyes of the author. All the while it leaves you broken and feeling helpless, reminding you that despite the efforts to contribute to America society, you will never truly fit in. You are only as good as your work is. Once you get old, your are disposable and a burden to those who you tried to provide a better life for. It accurately describes the loneliness an immigrant feels and the constant fear undocumented immigrants live under.
My only hope is that this book can help someone know that we are all in the same boat. We face many of the same fears and are under the same pressure. Despite this, just like Karla, we can find little ways to help others and to give back to those who are also struggling. Only by helping each other can we escape the loneliness and depression that comes with being unwanted in a strange new land.
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.