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sprucewillow's review against another edition
4.5
I wish there were more good things that happened but who knows if that was due to the author excluding them or good things really did just rarely happen.
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, Medical content, Child abuse, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Genocide
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
vaniavela's review against another edition
5.0
My heart broke a couple of times reading it, finding her family's resilience and determination admirable. The author shares her experiences as an illegal immigrant, unafraid to show all the emotions she constantly felt growing up.
Wang writes this memoir from the perspective of her seven-year-old self, full of innocence and high expectations about the world. This is a really well-written and engaging book.
I admire how Qian Julie Wang writes, sharing an intimate part of herself with the rest of the world.
CW: racism and xenophobia (violence and slurs), asian fetishization, poverty and food insecurity, domestic violence, verbal abuse, body shaming, suicide attempt, trauma, animal abuse, pedophilic stalker, anxiety, psychological abuse/gaslighting, sexual harassment, mental illness, neglect.
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Body shaming, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Mental illness and Gaslighting
newtons's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Chronic illness, Classism, Medical content, Mental illness, Abandonment, Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Police brutality, Racism, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, and Domestic abuse
apworden's review against another edition
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Vomit, Fatphobia, Medical content, Chronic illness, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Racial slurs