A review by mlsweeten
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is about the complex relationships between mothers and daughters made especially more difficult from growing up in different countries. The mothers all experienced tragedies in their home country of China, and still cling to their Chinese traditions and beliefs. The daughters are more American in their way of life but still carry the emotional baggage passed on to them from the previous generation. I had to write down notes about each character because at times it’s difficult to keep them all straight. I could sympathize with the mothers but could relate more to the daughters who often felt they were not good enough in the eyes of the women who raised them.