Janet
asked
Jean Kwok:
Hey there, Can you tell us in what way Girl in Translation is a novel? It sounds so similar to your life story. Why did you decide to do a novel and not a memoir? Many thanks -- so happy to have found this book! Janet
Jean Kwok
Janet, Kimberly and Ma are fictional characters even though indeed, so much of the novel is based on my own life. I chose to write a novel instead of a memoir because I have much more freedom in a novel to shape the story and move the events around. So even though the overal trajectory of my life might be similar to the novel, not all of the events in the novel happened the way they did in real life. So glad you enjoyed the book!
More Answered Questions
sola
asked
Jean Kwok:
Hi, Jean! If you let me say that you're so pure and wonderful (cinnamon bun, ahah).Thank you for your "Girl in Translation", because you inspire me a lot. I have a compex state of mind, practically depression and your Kimberly show me a light in the world.She's never gave up, she could survive and see the happiness.And now I think maybe I also can the same. I believe that we all need "our book" and I hope I find mine?
Ilene
asked
Jean Kwok:
No question, only praise. I loved your book, Searching for Sylvia Lee. I loved that it had some many twists. Honestly, what I loved the most, is that you took me to Holland. My best friend is from Holland, and you gave me a glimpse through your beautiful words. I of course, wrote to my friend and told her she had to read the book. Her only question to me was should she read it in Dutch? I said no, English!
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more