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A review by abookwanderer
Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Qian Julie Wang’s memoir about her life growing up as an undocumented child in New York in the 1990s is humbling, eye-opening, and beautifully rendered. Experiencing the confusion, hardships, and racism through the eyes of a child is especially heart-breaking. Beautiful Country (which translates to Mei Guo, America in Chinese) perfectly captures the enduring hope and courage of an immigrant’s struggle to obtain the very basic needs every human deserves.
“Hunger was a constant, reliable friend in Mei Guo. She came second only to loneliness."
Beautiful Country is also the perfect memoir for book lovers. Qian’s love of books and the world they opened for her illustrates the importance of stories, how they can rescue and heal the loneliest child. When Qian is placed in a “special needs” classroom because she can’t speak English, she uses books like The Berenstain Bears and Clifford to teach herself to read. It’s inspiring, but also devastating.
So much of her story is devastating. The racism her and her parents endure simply because they wanted a better life, something everyone has a right to. And in a country that was built on the foundation of welcoming the persecuted. They’re forced to live in poverty, always hungry, in a country with enough wealth to share.
“You cannot know that some things are not enough until you have them.”
Her story may be heart-wrenching, but it’s also witty and sweet, hopeful and engrossing. I was lead through a range of emotions, from smiling to crying. She has recalled her tumultuous childhood—the only buffer between her warring parents, her desperation for friends—with honesty. And her love of reading shines through her lyrical words.
I feel like saying too much about this memoir will only lead to unnecessary spoilers. I’m so very happy to see this one is receiving the attention it deserves, with awards and landing on so many must-read lists. Read this one to be reminded of the power of books. To be inspired, to be more knowledgeable, and to be more empathetic.
All quotes are taken from the advance copy and are subject to change in final print.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy.
“Hunger was a constant, reliable friend in Mei Guo. She came second only to loneliness."
Beautiful Country is also the perfect memoir for book lovers. Qian’s love of books and the world they opened for her illustrates the importance of stories, how they can rescue and heal the loneliest child. When Qian is placed in a “special needs” classroom because she can’t speak English, she uses books like The Berenstain Bears and Clifford to teach herself to read. It’s inspiring, but also devastating.
So much of her story is devastating. The racism her and her parents endure simply because they wanted a better life, something everyone has a right to. And in a country that was built on the foundation of welcoming the persecuted. They’re forced to live in poverty, always hungry, in a country with enough wealth to share.
“You cannot know that some things are not enough until you have them.”
Her story may be heart-wrenching, but it’s also witty and sweet, hopeful and engrossing. I was lead through a range of emotions, from smiling to crying. She has recalled her tumultuous childhood—the only buffer between her warring parents, her desperation for friends—with honesty. And her love of reading shines through her lyrical words.
I feel like saying too much about this memoir will only lead to unnecessary spoilers. I’m so very happy to see this one is receiving the attention it deserves, with awards and landing on so many must-read lists. Read this one to be reminded of the power of books. To be inspired, to be more knowledgeable, and to be more empathetic.
All quotes are taken from the advance copy and are subject to change in final print.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism