Questions About The Joy Luck Club

by Amy Tan (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (11)

Can somebody (who review it more than 3 stars) tell me why this book is good? Is it because its largely disclosure of some unique characteristics of Chineseness ?

Katie I felt like what made this book so amazing was that it had so many layers. There is the Chinese cultural aspect, but there's also how it explores what…moreI felt like what made this book so amazing was that it had so many layers. There is the Chinese cultural aspect, but there's also how it explores what it's like as generations start to distance themselves from the culture and how that feels for all involved. Then there's also the mother/daughter relationships, which are complex. And Tan isn't just like, "oh, here is a complex relationship," she really takes her time to explore how both mothers and daughters make mistakes in the relationships and don't know how to fix them. It looks at feminism, and how women often feel out of control of their own destinies even now. Why? Is it because we were raised that way, because of something inherent in us, or something else? It looks at social-classes, and how our understanding of them has changed and still stayed the same. It looks at how we change as people as we grow up. At moments the women discover themselves, then they seem to be right back where they started. Like I said, I think it's ALL OF THIS together that is really astounding and unique, and it's done very subtly. (less)

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Is this a good read for a book club?

Waliyah I feel that this book is great for a book club. Everyone can chime in with something new because it's filled with symbolism, visualizations, and conne…moreI feel that this book is great for a book club. Everyone can chime in with something new because it's filled with symbolism, visualizations, and connections to the reader. Basic human fears, hopes, joys, and place in society can help with that connection. (less)

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Would this book be appropriate for a 13 year old?

Erin I just reread this at age 39 after first reading it at age 15 for school. I definitely didn't get as much out of it upon my first reading just due to …moreI just reread this at age 39 after first reading it at age 15 for school. I definitely didn't get as much out of it upon my first reading just due to my stage of life. Now I'm the age of the daughters in the book and I get that part of it at least. I know I enjoyed it ok the first time I read it but this second reading showed me that it's really a masterpiece. Even younger than 13, I would have understood even less and some things would've gone over my head completely.(less)

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Do anyone feel the Author feels some kind of attitude towards her mother, or has she out grown those feelings? Because of her limited English?

Jim O'Donnell I bet she does feel some attitude toward her mother. The stories in the novel all deal with that theme, so I'm thinking the author lived through that …moreI bet she does feel some attitude toward her mother. The stories in the novel all deal with that theme, so I'm thinking the author lived through that and chose to write about it. I'm sure she understands it better with age but it must be hard to completely outgrow. I don't think English is the issue, maybe the bigger issue is the contrast in the experiences and cultures of the older generation of the mothers and the younger, westernized generation of the daughters.(less)

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Would the ladies in the book use traditional or simplified Chinese? I'm trying to translate each pinyin.

Judy Simplified Chinese was introduced about 1950, so any Chinese who left China before then (or who grew up and were educated before then) would use tradi…moreSimplified Chinese was introduced about 1950, so any Chinese who left China before then (or who grew up and were educated before then) would use traditional characters. (less)

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Unanswered Questions (2)

Are there any reader guides for this book out there that people would recommend? I felt like there were parts of the novel that I didn't quite understand.

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is this available as an ebook?

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