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Leaving Deep Water: The Lives of Asian American Women at the Crossroads of Two Cultures

Claire S. Chow (Goodreads Author)

3.93 · Rating details · 42 ratings · 5 reviews

Integrating ethnic identity with mainstream American culture is a complex task. In "Leaving Deep Water," Claire S. Chow deftly explores the many ways that women of Asian descent have forged a place for themselves in modern society. Drawing from the personal narratives of dozens of women from China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries, Chow analyzes such common themes a ...more

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Paperback, 320 pages

Published March 1st 1999 by Plume (first published 1998)

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The Girl with Ghost Eyes by M.H. Boroson

Chinese American History (nonfiction)

173 books — 18 voters

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Feb 01, 2019 Christina rated it liked it

Shelves: whatevs, esea-authors

I really like the aim and purpose of this book, but it got rote and repetitive. The author attempted to break it up into themes and motifs, but she didn't curate or paraphrase the stories, so a story from one chapter just blended into the story from another.

While I came at this book wanting to feel...reaffirmed, I didn't quite get that. Some of this was due to differences that are no fault of the author's, while others may have been more so.

On the downside, the author tended to gravitate towards I really like the aim and purpose of this book, but it got rote and repetitive. The author attempted to break it up into themes and motifs, but she didn't curate or paraphrase the stories, so a story from one chapter just blended into the story from another.

While I came at this book wanting to feel...reaffirmed, I didn't quite get that. Some of this was due to differences that are no fault of the author's, while others may have been more so.

On the downside, the author tended to gravitate towards stories that were more similar to her own. There was an overwhelming number of stories about women who grew up hating their ethnicity, who married a Caucasian, and who ended up in the Bay Area. Even most of the women who could tell stories about growing up outside of California ended up in the Bay Area.

The author described growing up with a strong sense of self-hatred because of her ethnicity, and I don't know if that affected the stories she highlighted in the book. I felt as if the book was more about catharsis and self-affirmation for her rather than a holistic view of the lived experiences of Asian American women.

Now, all of this may have been due to the time. Published in 1998, this book reflects Asian American women whose parents came here on very different terms than the current second-generation Asian Americans. A lot of stories from Japanese women were affected by being interned or having parents who were interned. Many women had moms who were essentially mail-order or arranged brides, and while some of that is still true, I think it is less common with today's 2nd gen Asian Americans.

Personally, I feel as if the largest gap is due to technological advances since this book was published. The internet, for me at least, strongly shaped how I identify. Being able to find sites such as Asian Avenue connected me with a wider network of Asian Americans across North America, making the feelings of racism and isolation less prevalent. Additionally, watching YouTube videos, a place where Asian American independent artists have a strong presence, also reaffirms my lived experiences and makes me able to laugh at my situation and feel more normalized, something that many of the women whose stories were shared in this book didn't have.

Overall, still a great book, but not 5 stars for me personally because it doesn't strike as personal of a chord as I was looking for. Not really the author's fault. Maybe partially. ...more

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Jul 23, 2007 Marissa rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Asian American Women

Shelves: non-fiction

This is an interesting compilation of stories told by a group of Asian American women. (East Asian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Thai) This book discusses relationships that different Asian American women have with thier families, American society, their spouses/significant others, their children, and their own ideas about identity. I don't like the autor- she seems very detached and there were a few women, who I did want to smack upside the head. But overall I think it was a worth ...more

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Apr 06, 2007 Connie rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Women

Great book, discusses relationships of mother/daughter in modern day society, the pressure of marriage, sexuality, and especially the guilt trip our mothers give to us. I definitely recommend reading for all females who are trying to figure out their mothers, and why we cant say no.

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