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parasolcrafter's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Classism, Deportation, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Misogyny, Violence, Animal cruelty, Colonisation, Racism, Sexism, Chronic illness, Grief, Hate crime, Pedophilia, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Excrement
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
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
katrinasherise's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Hate crime, Medical content, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Xenophobia
Minor: Abortion
elliez's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Xenophobia
Minor: Abortion and Bullying