Amy Tan, in her first book The Joy Luck Club, explores something we can all relate to: parent-child relationships...specifically those between mothers and daughters. In interviews she shares how influential her mother and Chinese heritage has been for her writing, but, when reading this book, it is clear that Tan is speaking to the issues faced by all mothers and daughters across ethnic lines. These characters are real and relatable. I see myself in the anguish of Jing-Mei and Lena, and I see my own mother in Suyuan or Ying-Ying. Worse yet, now with daughters of my own, I see myself mirrored in those over-protective mothers as well! This book speaks profoundly of a culture clash as well, in this case the Chinese vs. the American worldview. While that is accessible by many readers who share a similar ethnic disconnect, it is equally relevant to the inevitable divide between the generations, which can sometimes make children feel as though their parents are 'from another country'.
As a writer, this book speaks to me profoundly. My identity is largely tied to being either a daughter or a mother, both of which tend to be emotionally charged roles. Writing through these experiences is cathartic, but also helps keep vitality and realism in my characters. Like Tan, my work tends to draw from life and model characters after aspects of real people...often people I am close to. This is writing what you know in the most visceral sense, and is clearly something Tan has taken honed to an art form.
--Wendy
As a writer, this book speaks to me profoundly. My identity is largely tied to being either a daughter or a mother, both of which tend to be emotionally charged roles. Writing through these experiences is cathartic, but also helps keep vitality and realism in my characters. Like Tan, my work tends to draw from life and model characters after aspects of real people...often people I am close to. This is writing what you know in the most visceral sense, and is clearly something Tan has taken honed to an art form.
--Wendy
RSS Feed