Scan barcode
anniover's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Racism and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Racial slurs, Animal cruelty, and Injury/Injury detail
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Racism, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Stalking, Bullying, and Physical abuse
Minor: Infidelity and Cancer
xeniba's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Medical trauma, Child abuse, Medical content, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
mildlypretentiousreader's review against another edition
5.0
“Why were we expected to speak English while praising Americans for even the crumbiest dribble of Chinese?”
Qian Julie Wang’s Beautiful Country details her life as an undocumented immigrant in New York City. As a young child, Qian and her mother reunite with her father in “Mei Guo,” the Chinese word for America meaning “Beautiful Country.” Mei Guo turns out to be anything but beautiful.
Told through the lenses of a child, we peek into the fearful and harrowing life of an undocumented Chinese immigrant family. The Wang family is forced to live
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, Body shaming, Classism, Deportation, Racial slurs, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Hate crime, Infidelity, and Stalking
erebus53's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful Country is a direct translation of the Chinese term for USA 美国 - Mĕiguó . Whenever I hear " Mĕiguó " spoken, I picture the characters in my mind. A year working at a Chinese Newspaper will do that to a nerdy lass who likes languages. I have always been struck by how ironic the name is. The memoire written is an awakening from a childhood where the author needs to protect herself over and again, from the perils of being an "illegal" migrant. When any false word could get you deported, you learn to say what people want to hear.
From sweat shops, and bigoted teachers, buying the cheapest food possible, and making do with forgaed treasures, this is a candid story of poverty, Racism, and survival. I found the descriptions reminded me of many things that have been part of my life, and drew stark contrast between some of my own experiences as a White New Zealander ( Pākeha ) living in a country with social security.
I expect that some of this recounting may be affronting to those who are unaware of the type of life that oppressed people can easily fall into. The story is that of someone who has survived, but doesn't really feel as saccharine as a lot of inspiration stories can be.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Vomit, and Sexism
Moderate: Chronic illness, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Body shaming, Bullying, Deportation, Grief, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Minor: Pedophilia, Abortion, and Gun violence
savvylit's review against another edition
4.0
As a whole, Beautiful Country deftly unveils the powerful myth of the American Dream. Though Wang does eventually become a powerful lawyer, it is in spite of America -- not because of it. This memoir is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the challenges of living as an undocumented child in the U.S.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Racial slurs, Classism, Bullying, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Domestic abuse
internationalreads's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Blood, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Bullying, Medical content, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion
unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition
4.75
- I will advocate for free lunch and summer food programs through my local public school system and vote for school board candidates who share my views.
- I will call my legislators and urge them to create long-term, easier ways for young children of undocumented immigrants to achieve citizenship.
- I will continue to avoid fast fashion and invest in clothing and other goods made by people who are earning a living wage.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Blood, Chronic illness, Classism, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism
essie__reads's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Medical trauma, Xenophobia, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Racial slurs
charlottie93's review against another edition
5.0
This is a memoir of Qians life as an undocumented person in the USA, the family has little money and has to adjust to a life in a country that's unfamiliar and where they don't speak the language.
While some parts of the book were alien to me (moving to a new country for example) other parts really brought back memories of my childhood (only having 1 pair of shoes for the school year, worrying about class trips because money was tight / non-existent).
Honestly I couldn't put this book down, it should be a must read for everyone so that people can truly appreciate the sacrifices people go to in order to have a better life.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Vomit
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Abortion, Animal cruelty, and Cancer