Helpful Score: 1
This is a Chinese-Born American-finding-my-identity sort of book. Funny and a very touching ending.
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The Barbarians are Coming
The Barbarians are Coming
Author:
A stunning depiction of the Chinese-American experience and a deeply affecting novel about fathers and sons from the author of the prizewinning story collection Pangs of Love. — "Louie is elegant, funny, a touch spooky, and he has as fine a hair-trigger control of alienation and absurdity as any of the best of his generation."--Richard Ede... more »
Author:
A stunning depiction of the Chinese-American experience and a deeply affecting novel about fathers and sons from the author of the prizewinning story collection Pangs of Love. — "Louie is elegant, funny, a touch spooky, and he has as fine a hair-trigger control of alienation and absurdity as any of the best of his generation."--Richard Ede... more »
ISBN-13: 9780399146039
ISBN-10: 0399146032
Publication Date: 3/6/2000
Pages: 336
Rating: 4
ISBN-10: 0399146032
Publication Date: 3/6/2000
Pages: 336
Rating: 4
4 stars, based on 4 ratings
Publisher: Putnam Adult
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review
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I would've given this book 5 stars if it had a slightly better ending. However, this book is a true emotional read that dares to address racism and Asian stereotypes. Written from a true Asian-American perspective, this book accurately presents a Chinese male protagonist who struggles against his Asian roots (grows his hair long, dates non-Asians, learns to cook all cuisines except Chinese food, even goes so far as to prefer one son who looks more White to his other more Asian-looking son) but then is forced by his non-Asian supervisors/managers (even his father-in-law) to act "Oriental," or at least what they perceive the word to mean based on television shows, books, and superficial vacations.
I feel David Wong Louie has not earned as much fame and word-of-mouth as Amy Tan, for example, because his (Louie's) style of writing is more direct, sarcastic and bitter. He should definitely be considered one of the strongest voices of modern Asian-American writers.
I feel David Wong Louie has not earned as much fame and word-of-mouth as Amy Tan, for example, because his (Louie's) style of writing is more direct, sarcastic and bitter. He should definitely be considered one of the strongest voices of modern Asian-American writers.
This is an intriguing book with a great story. I enjoyed it very much.
A novel of the Chinese-American immigrant experience, seen in the relationship of a father & son.
Quirky and it will draw you in!
Genres:
