The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Joy Luck Club
Book Review: A Cross-Generational/Cross-Cultural Exploration
Summary: 4 Stars
The Joy Luck Club is composed of four sections, containing sixteen interwoven stories, all of which detail the different journeys of Chinese-born mothers who immigrated to the states, and their American-born daughters. The stories were touching and dealt with the universal themes of finding identity, the challenges that come with integration, and sacrificing for love. I found myself able to relate on some level with the mother/daughter relationships in these stories. Though my own circumstances are quite different, the complexities between mothers and daughters---longing to please one's mother while trying to find one's own, separate identity, as well as the notions of sacrifice and the idea that one carries on her mother's legacy---are translatable on some level to my own life and relationship with my mother. In this sense, I was very pleased with the novel. It continues to keep my interest.Book Review: A fascinating look at mothers and daughters
Summary: 4 Stars
The dynamism of mother-daughter relationships is certainly nothing new. There are hundreds, if not thousands of stories out there that describe this unique interaction from every conceivable angle, but Amy Tan gives it a fresh treatment with "The Joy Luck Club."
This is a clever and thoroughly genuine chronicle of the lives of four Chinese women and their daughters - told from both perspectives in small, vividly detailed vignettes that are almost complete stories within themselves. Tan gives each of these women character and life, and isn't afraid to expose the troubled elements that exist between them. The characters at times appear a bit one-dimensional in that much of what is described is the self-angst that each of them harbors due to the difficult times they have experienced, both in China and America, and contrary to the title of the book (or perhaps perfectly on purpose) there seems to be neither joy OR luck in these women's lives.
Many of the troublesome elements of their relationships are cultural in nature - with the reserved, proud and subservient attitudes of the mothers clashing with the individualistic and more self-centered traits of their daughters, who have been raised in America. The younger generation is understandably torn between obligation to the Chinese culture of their family while at the same time wanting to adapt to the American way of life, which in many ways is the polar opposite than that of the Chinese. While many aspects of Chinese culture - especially the way women are treated - are foreign and sometimes even repugnant to non-Chinese, Tan demonstrates in often subtle ways through her character interactions how sometimes the Chinese way of viewing life and conducting oneself is actually more beneficial in the long run.
My only other criticisms of this novel are that because of the way it is written, it is a bit hard to follow at times, and it would have also been nice to see Tan give a more thorough treatment to the roles that the men played in these women's lives. Generally speaking, the men are not seen in very much positive light, and it does end up seeming a bit unrealistic that the negative aspects portrayed were the only dimensions that existed in the brothers, fathers and sons depicted in the novel.
Overall, however, this is a very satisfying read and well worth the time.
Book Review: A view into the lives of 1st generation Chinese families
Summary: 5 Stars
Even though they are not the main voices of the stories, the mothers are the heroines. Amy Tam does a wonderful job of telling their stories in precise and poetic language that takes the readers on a voyeuristic journey through the lives of these 4 families and their ancestors.
The first time I read this novel more than 20 years ago, the power of Ms Tan's story telling just bowled me over; I did not even notice that it was a 'mother daughter' category novel. The stories of the mothers were particularly magical and tragic. And the ones of Number 4 wife was developed as (I think) a 'Queen Gambit' when she sacrifices her life for her children; and it works.
Now I am rereading it and it still has power. Now I can perceive the similarity in character of the mothers and their interactions with their daughters. One has to wonder whether Ms Tan is describing her own mother and their own arguments. I also note that the quixotic twists in the plots of the various stories remind me of the planning and developing of chess game strategies. Many of the stories end in a 'draw', the game continues as does life; others like the one about the architect ends with a dramatic shift in power and the game continues. The last one about 'June' (I can remember that name) meeting her 2 sisters is a sort of 'winning' conclusion even though her mother (the queen) is no more.
This is a wonderful book and can be be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys well crafted stories with a difference.
Book Review: Beautifully written, insightful
Summary: 4 Stars
Even though this book can get confusing trying to match daughters to their mothers, the way it was written (a series of vignettes of the different lives of both Chinese mothers and daughters from youth to today where they all seem to melt together) was really poetic and beautiful. The Joy Luck Club showcases the timeless ups and downs (mostly generationally and culturally) between mothers and daughters . I loved how she shows that no matter what the daughters do to push their mothers away and shun their (cultural) indentities, that they cannot shake them from their bones. As mother and daughter there is an undeniable connection. This book did quite a fair share of man/marriage bashing, though, which comes off as an author's personal grudge (perhaps) because it is so repetitive throughout. But bad relationships are not the center of this novel (thank goodness because that's not the only thing that can cause rifts in families). It was a great book that can be appreciated by all mothers and daughters alike.Book Review: Beyond Spectacular.
Summary: 5 Stars
You know, it is funny, I have read Amy Tan's The Bonesetter's Daughter and The Hundred Secret Senses, adoring them both beyond words--why it took me this long to get to her first work is nothing short of inexcusable. Not unlike Louise Erdrich's first novel, Love Medicine, this debut of Tan's is absolutely spectacular (it boggles my mind that first time authors can produce such seemingly flawless, multi-voiced narratives). Given the fact that Amy Tan was so young when she wrote this book blows my mind simply because the wisdom and expertise inherent in her storytelling go far beyond her years. In fact, I think this is my new favorite Tan novel, and not only do I believe she is the best Chinese American novelist out there, but at the top of the list of all authors, period. True storytellers are few and far between. Tan straddles the line between academic literature and pleasure reading, which, unfortunately, is not often accomplished.
I have been a devoted student of literature for over six straight years now (specializing in American minority literatures), and the other day, I was talking with a fellow colleague and classmate about this book. When she told me, in her "yawny" way, that she felt it was boring, I realized for the first time, that regardless of "smarts," there are actually literature students out there without one iota of literary taste. What a shame.
This book is truly phenomenal and speaks volumes about what it means to be a woman, for better or worse. I cannot recommend this book, or this author enough.