Comments (13)

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spudwil
Aug 09, 2022spudwil rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I found it a bit of a struggle to finish but it was an interesting look into the lives of Asian immigrants and I always enjoy a story set in Vancouver. The clash of “old” versus “new” thinking among the Canadian born Asian children…
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Jul 25, 2019purplecheetah98 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Sep 27, 2013Eil_1 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This book evolves around the experiences of the lives of 3 Chinese children, Grandmother, 'Stepmother' and Father in Vancouver during the 20's and 30's. It was an enlightening and excellent story - mixed equally with humor, love and…
Jun 17, 2013WVMLBookClubTitles rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Choy’s first novel reads like a memoir and is a collection of stories about a family living in Vancouver’s Chinatown before and during World War II. Three siblings experience very different childhoods as they grow up amongst the strict…
Jun 08, 2012jvanderg rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent novel deals with so many important topics. Not only that, it gives a glimpse into life in Vancouver during the 30s and 40s.
May 05, 2011snowspirit1 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Must read!
Mar 31, 2011vwruleschick rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
It is a story told from three different perspectives that are all children of a Chinese immigrant family in Vancouver BC before and during WWII and how they are coping with a new culture, language and they fit in whilst their traditional…
Oct 29, 2010andieallie rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book greatly illustrates the poverty and discrimination that the Chinese-Canadians went through during the Depression. Each character longs to be accepted in their own way, but it's all tied together. The language was a little…
Jul 29, 2010dliew3 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Great book, really tackles many issues related with identity and what it means to be Chinese-Canadian. The historical backdrop of Vancouver during WWII to really adds to the story but never draws away from the characters themselves.
Jun 26, 2010macierules rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
One of the 2 finalists in the Canada Reads 2010 competition losing to Nikolski. Authentic-feeling Chinese immigrant experience set in Vancouver during the 2nd world war. I liked it a lot more than Lisa See's Shanghai Girls.
Feb 01, 2010AureliaReads rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Lovely, touching, poignant. Very beautiful book, with interesting structure. Reminded me of Shanghai Girls. Interesting to compare the two books. This would make a good winner for Canada Reads 2010, but I'm still hoping for Nikolski…
Sep 09, 2008
Book club.
Jun 24, 2008pie rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A well crafted book that looks at a Chinese-Canadian and their battle for identity. A must read for all--especially for Chinese Canadians.