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Molly Cowan-Johnson.
AnonymousI guess you already answered my question in your review, but in so many of Tan's books, it seems the clash of two diametrically opposed cultures and how the heroine deals with the issues of self-worth all the while balancing everyday life make the books captivating to read.
To experience the depth of emotion along with the characters from another cultural point of view should surely help all of us to grow in cultural understanding. I know many of my Asian students find balancing two cultures at once---especially one that is so intrusive (in-your- face, Madison Ave., reality-show consciousness) very difficult. I wonder what effect this kind of constant battle will have on their futures and the future of America?? [Edit by="tbarbarossa on Jan 6, 1:30:00 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousWhat exactly does "Americanized" mean? Is that succumbing to the Madison Ave. exploited view of reality: designer jeans, hip-hop music craze, fast food? I think we need to explore the parameters of what "Americanized" means today? It's not the same when we grew up, of course, but the definition of what an American is is constantly changing, even more so in this age of global media. To be Asian in America can be seamless or not, depending on the individual experience of reality. In our school we see the conflicts and clashes of culture, but the mix of cultures defines a new culture of reality that allows more interpretation, more acceptance, I think. These are just some musings on your remarks, not any judgment; I don't mean to be disingenuous or obtuse, but who the hell knows exactly what American is any more?? I know what the "ugly American" is.
AnonymousI will read this book. I am not only interested in how women find a voice in a male-dominated society, but also in how oppressed people find a way to say what needs to be said through the media in subtle ways. What a fascinating book, I am sure!
AnonymousSixth grade? The book sounds like my speed! Thanks for the tip.
AnonymousThe book Saduko and the Thousand Cranes comes to mind. Even though it is simply written with illustrations, it's a fantastic read for 7th and 8th graders, guaranteed to make sensitive souls cry! ( a good release for fragile adolescents!) This book encapsulates the history of Hiroshima through the sad story of Saduko, a runner and an achiever, who dies as a result of the bombing. It's a tradition that if you make a thousand cranes, your greatest wish will come true. Unfortunately, Saduko dies before she and her classmates can make one thousand cranes.
When I contemplate that horrifying decision to drop bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I know America has some serious soul-searching to do, for heinous actions such as these and others too in the name of greed and power. Dropping these bombs was unnecessary since the Japanese had already declared surrender. Where is the justification?
I have some experience with the Peace Statue -- my Albuquerque students and I, with the support of the lady who is largely responsible for raising money to erect the statue and memorialize the children of Hiroshima---Camy Condom (Yes, that is her married name!)---raised money for the statue and also began a pen pal exchange in the early 90's. That was a wonderful teaching-learning experience.[Edit by="tbarbarossa on Jan 5, 7:32:10 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousMy Asian female students love this book especially. I have two tattered copies that are too worn now to put in circulation. I intend to order a perma-bound copy for my classroom library. I agree with your assessment of this book overall; however, maybe it was the shortcomings of translation, but I found the writing to be prosaic and whiny. I kept wanting to say, "Come on, get a grip, will you? I know that sounds heartless, but afterall, the book is an autobiography, and how does one maintain objectivity ( or even want to since it is a matter of the proclivity of the writer) when spilling out a story of terrible abuse? There is a sequel too -- which I will order as well. Thanks for helping me to see another perception of this story.
AnonymousSince I have been a Western astrologer for 30 years, this book appeals to me. I only know the rudiments of Chinese astrology and would like to know more. Are there details about the meanings of this ancient art, or does the book just present the historical side of astrology?
AnonymousDo the characters live in America at all or only in China? I guess Western influence would vary somewhat in either case. Do they live in rural China or in urban areas? What are the western influences? (You don't have to answer these questions, if you're busy. I was just wondering because it would make a lot of difference, wouldn't it?) I guess I'm asking for setting, place and time, especially. Thanks.
AnonymousHow hypocritical of Communist China to ban the movie! What about self-criticism??
It seems, however, that the roots of breeding competition among women in China for the favor of a rich husband may be in the unyielding tenet that assumes the inferiority of women. That's a notion that dies hard anywhere.
Tradition rules, one doesn't ask why. If the new tradition happens to be Communist, then all other ways be damned. Still, those roots are Confucian and/or Legalistic, right? Thanks for the tip--sounds like a movie I'd like to see.
AnonymousAnd it is a movie now which has garnered luke-warm reviews. I did like the book; it felt real to me until I realized a male had written the book after considerable research. I think the book is more in-depth than the movie must be. I felt the book was enormously informative about geisha society and one woman's heroic efforts to overcome her abusive past. There are myriads of books that could be classified as Cinderella stories; stories of great struggles with happy endings---most modern-day novels, perhaps.
AnonymousThere is nothing like the poetry of a song to garner discussion in a classroom. This sounds like a great anticipatory set. The book reminds me of a few movie gems I've found on the Sundance Channel or on the Independent Film Channel but don't recall the titles. Do you know of any movies, and their titles, which have been based on Murakami's books? Answer if you have time. Thanks.
AnonymousI have this book in my library too. Advanced readers usually choose this one and enjoy it because of its "reality." Two other books that are good for middle schoolers are Sue Park's A Single Shard andvMy Name Was Keoko.
AnonymousIn Bound Feet, the narrator is an American in the late 20th Century; her grandmother is a Chinese woman in the early 20th Century--it is called a "dual memoir", we are supposed to be getting both voices, although it is written by the Chinese American granddaughter.
AnonymousOne of Amy Tan's recent ventures is called "The Opposite of Fate: Memories of a Writing Life." I guess it's an autobiography of sorts; it is a collection of speeches she's made, personal experiences with her mother, and interviews. You get a lot of background info on her writing of the Joy Luck Club (and the making of the movie), as well as background on Kitchen God's Wife. I loved the bit about Cliff Notes on her books, as well as internet sites that get everything wrong about her. She also comments on the difficulty of being referred to as a "minority writer", an "ethnic writer", or even an "Asian-American writer." She sees herself simply as an American writer--she does not want the responsibility of representing the Chinese culture. She says that her stories are fictional, personal, and that they don't represent anyone. It's a great read because it gives insight into the mind of a writer.
AnonymousAnother great read from Gail Tsukiyama: it is called Night of Many Dreams, and it is set in China just after World War II. It is about two sisters--one wants to become a traditional wife, but ends up as an actress; the other travels to America. It is an interesting comparison between the two girls' paths (which is paralleled by their mother and aunt's diverging paths: Auntie Go stayed single and ran a business; their mother was a traditional wife). The novel broadened my view of the choices for Chinese girls, even some fifty years ago.