The Joy Luck Club

[Parks]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 6:56pm

Has anyone else read this book? It was required for my English class this year--we just finished it. I actually enjoyed parts of it, which is surprising because I am not a reader.

I know many other schools require it for English II as well, so I'm assuming atleast a few of you have read it.

[RachLaura]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 7:07pm

I read it, it wasn't required though. I'm in agreement with you, I enjoyed parts. I didn't think it was anything special.

[Pinguin]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 7:31pm

I read it on my own, not for school...the book and the movie both get me a bit misty, I definitely love it.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 7:45pm

this is one of the best works ever done on mother-daughter relationships, and generational issues. It is an amazing work.

From Publishers Weekly
"Intensely poetic, startlingly imaginative and moving, this remarkable book will speak to many women, mothers and grown daughters, about the persistent tensions and powerful bonds between generations and cultures," praised PW . Author tour.


From Library Journal
What a wonderful book! The "joy luck club" is a mah jong/storytelling support group formed by four Chinese women in San Francisco in 1949. Years later, when member Suyuan Woo dies, her daughter June (Jing-mei) is asked to take her place at the mah jong table. With chapters alternating between the mothers and the daughters of the group, we hear stories of the old times and the new; as parents struggle to adjust to America, their American children must struggle with the confusion of having immigrant parents. Reminiscent of Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior in its vivid depiction of Chinese-American women, this novel is full of complicated, endearingly human characters and first-rate story telling in the oral tradition. It should be a hit in any fiction collection.
- Ann H. Fisher, Radford P.L., Va.

[soapguy17]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 7:48pm

I love the book, I'm afraid to watch the movie though as it may ruin it. But, it's a great piece of English Lit. I wasn't required to read the whole thing ,but I ended up doing it anyway
I just liked it that much.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 8:26pm

I loved it. I loved Amy Tan so much after this I read Kitchen God's Wife. I still think JLC stands alone with its structure and relationships in comparison though

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 8:28pm

I love this book.

I read it for pure enjoyment.

I may just have to go read it again!

[Parks]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 8:56pm

We started watching the movie today in class--I'm liking it so far. I think I'm the only person in my class who does...

It definitely leaves out many of the details from the book though.

[Glebb]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 9:05pm

I adore the movie.

Posted: 2/7/06 at 1:26am

Yep, requirement for AP English my senior year, I devoured it in one night. Surprising how engrossed I became. I also bought a copy for my mum awhile ago, and she's slowly making her way through it now (she hardly has any spare time, the poor dear). It's a rich, most engaging piece of literature. I've no desire to watch the movie though.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 2:28am

Being a son, I wasn't exactly drawn to this book in anyway. I don't even remember it. It made for a decent movie, but I would in no way would want to reread it or anything. That same year we had to read The Great Gatsby, which is one of my favorite books. I just think its brillant. My other fav book we read was the Lord of the Flies. i loved that.

[Glebb]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 8:05am

And, Russell Wong is hot, hot, hot!

[vbplayer]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 8:23am

I thought the movie was fantastic. It may leave some elements out (I didn't read the book), but it still has great emotional impact.

[angelic1]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 9:34am

I just watched the movie the other night for a psych class, and I read the book in high school. I think they're both pretty good (except I end up crying like a baby).

[mominator]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 9:56am

Also saw the movie a couple of nights ago. Loved the movie, must go back and re-read the book.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 2:55pm

I bought the DVD because I LOVE it so much, and I did some paper about a section in the book for a college assignment my freshman year! I think I should read the book some time.

[peach]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 5:26pm

Fantastic movie - fantastic book.

Actually, now I want to re-read it...

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 6:23pm

Note to all Asian Women out there:

The Joy Luck Club can be a great source of monologues for you. Yes, it's not a stage play, but it is a screen play. So between the screen play and the book you can come up with some good monologues.

My friend did this because of the lack of good monologues for Asian Characters, and it's worked quite well for her.

I suggest the monologue of Waverly as she confronts her mother about her disapproval of her fiance Rick at the hair salon.

Posted: 2/8/06 at 12:18pm

oo good point!

and awesome avatar

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 12:42pm

Love the book and the film. Kitchen God's Wife is still my favorite Amy Tan novel. I can't believe there hasn't been a film treatment of it yet. Fantastic story.

Posted: 2/8/06 at 12:44pm

We didn't have to read this in Denison, but when I transfered to Bonham, everybody that was a junior had a copy.

I've never read it. Probably won't.

[Love4Cheno]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 12:58pm

There actually is a stage play. I saw it a few years ago and it was HORRIBLE.

But, I love the novel and film. Just try not to choke up and cry at the end! Just try.

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 1:11pm

Just wondering why anyone would pop into a thread about a book, not discuss it (or aspects of it), and have no intentions to do so?

The book is amazing. I cherish my autographed copy.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 3:28pm

I love this novel and fell in love with Amy Tan and have never been disappointed in her writing and story telling. I also think the movie is one of the best adaptations of a book that I've seen.

Posted: 2/8/06 at 6:30pm

Because I like books, and I read often. Sorry if my comments are no help to you.