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silenttwg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When Jing-Mei Woo's mother dies, she is invited to sit in her place in The Joy Luck Club. What starts as an awkward inconvenience where she's forced to deal with her mother and her differences head-on becomes a journey through different generations, different truths, and cultural exploration.
My goodness, I have read this a few times now and each time, I cry, I laugh and my heart aches for all involved. This is not a simple story, rather a blending of different voices that show you peeks into dark secrets, lives seeped in tradition, and how in the longing to provide a better, safer environment, the children have stepped away from their parents.
It's beautiful, and I'm grateful that I was introduced to this in high school cause I don't know if I would have ventured into it on my own. I highly recommend this to everyone. It's a touching read that explores human nature, love, nurturing, and how important it is to listen to each other.
My goodness, I have read this a few times now and each time, I cry, I laugh and my heart aches for all involved. This is not a simple story, rather a blending of different voices that show you peeks into dark secrets, lives seeped in tradition, and how in the longing to provide a better, safer environment, the children have stepped away from their parents.
It's beautiful, and I'm grateful that I was introduced to this in high school cause I don't know if I would have ventured into it on my own. I highly recommend this to everyone. It's a touching read that explores human nature, love, nurturing, and how important it is to listen to each other.
jreading's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jennschrauben's review against another edition
4.5
Super engaging stories. Basically a bunch of interconnected short stories of early 20th century in China and late 20th century in the US told through women's lives.
la_ravenreader's review against another edition
3.0
A story that follows the lives of four women in China. They later become friends in San Francisco when they form the Joy Luck Club. Then we follow the lives of their four daughters and their relationship with their mothers. A 3.75 rating.
galkramer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
gregpreads's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kodameansfriend's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.5
Beautiful, funny, and poignant.
jencunn2024's review against another edition
5.0
So I have read and now re-read this novel at the approximate ages of the 8 main characters in these stories - it is a fantastic essayist style of novel and these women portray the lives of Americana of Chinese descent and their mothers who came over as refugees. The Joy Luck Club holds up over time and is still a fantastic novel. I’d recommend reading in each adult decade of your life to grow with these characters.