Amy Tan & Anchee Min

Most Chinese-American or American-born-Chinese authors, especially the women have a tendency to write books about their Chinese heritage, the world of the Chinese from their American eyes. Some also wrote about moments in Chinese History. The commonality and what I loved about all of these books was the attention paid to detail. Every single thing is described with intricacy. You almost feel like you are right there. Feelings on the other hand are always subtle and implicit, yet you can always get a sense of the emotions each character is going through.

I was introduced to Amy Tan when I was in Secondary School. Our English Literature text for the O'Levels was The Joy Luck Club. A fantastic book that was well-written and well presented. The words used, the way each sentence was phrased, everything was carefully thought out. I particularly enjoyed the way she moved from a set of mother-daughter to another. Each different yet similar at the same time. How the different characters which have diverse personalities congregate and share that simple commonality of a Chinese heritage.

I have since read many other Amy Tan books but I think The Joy Luck Club is still the most poignant in my mind. So if you are going to pick up your first Amy Tan book, make it The Joy Luck Club.

Anchee Min strikes a different chord with me. She combines my love for Chinese Royal History along with the detailed writing of Chinese American authors. Her 2 books The Last Empress and Empress Orchid revolve around the life of Cixi, aka Lady Yehonala. I have heard and seen so many different versions of this. Her insight may not be a fresh perspective, but it is still an interesting read. I personally preferred Empress Orchid as it focused more on Cixi before she became to be who she was. Whereas The Last Empress depicts mainly the 2nd half of her life in the Forbidden City. Both books are very intriguing and very hard to put down so you have been warned! :)

-germaine-