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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
An acquaintance foisted this on me, with the famous comment "you'll love it". I had chosen not to read it up until then, I had no interest in it. But take it I did.
I will be able to give it back to her now. I did in fact skim it and sure enough, did not enjoy it.
It's the story of the proverbial "tiger mom" - a woman of Chinese descent who controls and manipulates every aspect, every minute of her daughters' lives in an effort to "make them the best they can be".
Why her daughters didn't strangle her in her sleep, I don't know. I certainly would have.
I will be able to give it back to her now. I did in fact skim it and sure enough, did not enjoy it.
It's the story of the proverbial "tiger mom" - a woman of Chinese descent who controls and manipulates every aspect, every minute of her daughters' lives in an effort to "make them the best they can be".
Why her daughters didn't strangle her in her sleep, I don't know. I certainly would have.
Amy Chua is slightly psychotic at times, unreasonably harsh, and dwells too much on stereotypes, but here's the thing. There are so many children in this country who completely lack discipline, disrespect elders, and put little effort into school work, and who do their parents blame? Everyone but themselves. I respect Chua for playing such a big role in her children's lives and pushing them to be their best, even though her methods are over the top. At least she takes her role as a parent seriously and understands that she can't just throw her kids to teachers and expect the school system and other authorities to make them perfect. Though I think play and fun are extremely important parts of childhood (something Chua doesn't understand), I also think many parents in this country could learn a thing or two from Chua.
Well-written and very readable, this book just left a bad taste in my mouth. No one comes out of this book looking good.
The book has a great point but overly focuses on development of the children’s musical skills.
I can't help but think this family is epic. Even the amount of money the two parents make, as evidenced by the ridiculous spending they do for their daughters, is epic, not to mention the grueling slog of parenting the "Chinese" way.
I was impressed by Chua's tenacity and also thought to myself, "Wow, there does seem to be some value in raising kids this way, at least in the UMC sphere." That realization also made me decide fairly definitively that I won't have kids. I don't have the energy or tenacity to demand greatness and respect from young people. It just wouldn't work. Somehow it works for Chua, and I can definitely appreciate that.
Chua has said in interviews that the memoir is largely self-parody, and that many people miss that. I think I missed that, too, because i just read it with a kind of wide-eyed awe at all the trials and tribulations of the family. I mean, how can so many similar families (not just Chinese but of the same model) demand excellence and first place? They can't all possibly win... that is the mystery to me.
I was impressed by Chua's tenacity and also thought to myself, "Wow, there does seem to be some value in raising kids this way, at least in the UMC sphere." That realization also made me decide fairly definitively that I won't have kids. I don't have the energy or tenacity to demand greatness and respect from young people. It just wouldn't work. Somehow it works for Chua, and I can definitely appreciate that.
Chua has said in interviews that the memoir is largely self-parody, and that many people miss that. I think I missed that, too, because i just read it with a kind of wide-eyed awe at all the trials and tribulations of the family. I mean, how can so many similar families (not just Chinese but of the same model) demand excellence and first place? They can't all possibly win... that is the mystery to me.
The uproarious NY Times article featuring passages from Ms. Chua's book selected only the most outrageous; the most scandal-inducing. Within this chronicle of her life as a "Tiger Mother," Ms. Chua presents both the positives and the negatives of Chinese parenting. Ultimately, we are left with the conclusion that there are many different kinds of parenting, and so-called "Chinese parenting" only presents one part of the spectrum. There are certainly positives and negatives to all approaches toward raising children, and Ms. Chua gives the world a new look into the intricacies of her Chinese parenting style.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was extremely well-written, smart, self-deprecating, and an interesting contrast of Chinese and Western culture. It was especially interesting to read the afterword where Chua describes the backlash to her parenting style that she received after her book was published. Even though her lifestyle is extreme, there's no doubt that she loves her daughter, and no parent is perfect. For the brilliant writing alone, this book is an excellent read!
This book gets five stars not for being a brilliantly written masterpiece, but for being a book I will spend a lot of time thinking about for the next few decades. Chua's writing is not beautiful, but it is clear and cogent in a way that any academic turned writer would do well to emulate. The ideas come across smoothly, and develop into a nuanced and self-referential exploration of how to reconcile parenting and happiness and drive and success. Like one of the etudes she discusses her daughters playing, this book circles around these themes, picking at and developing and blending them together like a piece of a tune reflecting and harmonizing and crescendoing into the collapse at the end, where a new theme emerges: choice.
At the same time there are things I dislike about the book - and possibly would dislike about the author if I ever met her, based on her self-characterization - like the elitist, classist view of the world it presents. And while perhaps it is too much to ask of a former corporate lawyer turned Ivy League professor, there is scant empathy here for other parents, or indeed for almost anyone.
Ultimately, if you have thick enough skin (and an open mind) you can find a lot of material to reflect upon.
At the same time there are things I dislike about the book - and possibly would dislike about the author if I ever met her, based on her self-characterization - like the elitist, classist view of the world it presents. And while perhaps it is too much to ask of a former corporate lawyer turned Ivy League professor, there is scant empathy here for other parents, or indeed for almost anyone.
Ultimately, if you have thick enough skin (and an open mind) you can find a lot of material to reflect upon.
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced