The Joy Luck Club

Title: The Joy Luck Club
Author: Tan, Amy
Place of Publication: Ballantine Books June 1990

Reason, Type and Setting: After reading Malinche's Children, I wanted to try reading a book that was similar to the writing style. My cousin, however a different one, recommended this book to my mother who in turn recommended it to me. It's rather ironic seeing that this book is about the relationship between American born daughters and their mother's who all came from a foreign country. This was also something I could relate to and found the plot to seem very interesting. This novel is somewhat written in vignette style with each chapter recounting the story of a daughter and a mother interchangeably. There are various settings in this book since there are many stories being told in this book, however the constant setting would have to be the kitchen where everyone is celebrating New Years and playing Mah Johng.

Plot: There are eight characters in this book, four daughters, and four mothers however the main focus in the novel is the relationship between June and her mother Suyuan. After, Suyuan's death June is faced with the expedition of confronting her long lost sisters left in China after the Japanese invaded and Suyuan was separated from them. Her Aunts tell her of her must-visit to China to tell her twin sisters of her mothers death and to retell her mother's life to them but she finds that she doesn't have a clue what to tell them since she never really understood her mother. This book talks of the barrier between the daughters and mothers living in America and the hardships that the mothers had to face in China that shaped them today. Each mother tells their story and a lesson that is drawn from their story affects the life of the daughters who hear it.

Character: June, the main character, is the one that I found most interesting. Unlike the other daughters, she really isn't sure of what she wants to do in her life other than freelance writing for companies. She isn't married unlike the others, doesn't have children, and is the only one left at their Mah Jong meetings without a mother. She is Chinese, but was born and raised in America where, just like the other daughters, she has assimilated to the American culture. The quality that I like about June has the ability to stand her ground which is something her mother can't understand. She is outspoken when it comes to her being upset by her mother or her childhood rival Waverly. Towards the end of the novel she understands her mother and the life she had before she had her and is ready to tell her twin sisters of her mother's life.

Evaluation: I really enjoyed this novel and, without exaggeration, read the entire book until I was finished. Just like Malinche's Children, it was a compilation of stories put together, however they all connected and made sense. There are some philosophies you can take out of this book as well and good quotes. I found this book interesting and entertaining. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a good read. Also, I read the movie after and it is very close to the story and is entertaining as well. Sometimes I see myself in June's situation with her not having such a bonding relationship with her mother as well as the other daughters.

Author, Context and Trivia: Amy Tan has written many books relating to Chinese-Americans. Another book of hers is The Kitchen God's Wife which I am currently reading now. Her books and writing style remind me of Maxine Kingston who wrote Warrior Woman and is one of my must read books. Amy Tan was also born in California same as the characters in this story. This story does remind me of Malinche's Children, which is why I read it, and it talks of being raised in two different cultures. I definitely plan to read more of Amy Tan's books.