I loved this book and the movie. It was wonderful to be so personally involved with each persons story. I really felt like I was there with them.
Long after I read the book the characters still stick with me.

Not quite as amazing as I had hoped, I wasn't able to keep track of who was who and that made it a very confusing read. Taking notes on who is who, or just paying close attention, would be very helpful.

This is a *very* good book. I especially liked the sections about China. I love the way they are written, and the descriptions of things are just gorgeous. They really give you a feeling for the mind and the culture of the woman narrating at the time.

Amy Tan did a good job of keeping the story going coherently, even though she had the book divided into 16 sections narrated by 8 different characters. Pretty impressive! So the story comes out more as a one about Chinese immigrants to the U.S. and the next generation as a whole instead of one specific character's story, but it really does work.

The whole time I was reading this book, I was thinking about how this was the start of that group-of-women stories trend. For a while, there was a run of stories about 4 friends, or a group of friends, or 3 generations of women, etc...both in print and at the movies.

This may be a teensy bit of a spoiler, just to warn anyone who might want to know! Okay, I have one thing to say to the (okay, so they're fictional characters) daughters in this book (and please note that I am largely just joking around from here on out). Ladies, I'm sorry, but you don't get to claim your problems with getting your fellas through a meet-the-family dinners or family houseguests entirely on intercultural issues! Partially, of course, but entirely? Nope, no way. At least 2 of you did absolutely no prep work with your guys at all! I mean, it takes at least 10 minutes for me to tip any new guy off on how to charm my family, and that's for just the easy family members, and I'd certainly expect him to do the same for me. How long would it have taken to explain that dear old mom is really begging for compliments when she says her meal didn't come out well, and that everyone is supposed to tell her it's the best meal ever and couldn't be better? Honestly, I noticed a distinct lack of effort on your parts, girls, leaving you with at least part of the blame for troubles in that area. Sheesh! ;)

From the Publisher:
In 1949 four Chinese women - drawn together by the shadow of their past - begin meeting in San Francisco to play mah jong, invest in stocks, eat dim sum, and "say" stories. They call their gathering the Joy Luck Club. Nearly forty years later, one of the members has died, and her daughter has come to take her place, only to learn of her mother's lifelong wish - ad the tragic way in which it has come true. The revelation of this secret unleashes as urgent need among the women to reach back and remember... In this extraordinary first work of fiction, Amy Tan writes about what is lost - over the years, between generations, among friends - and what is saved.

Story about 4 chinese women. alternates back and forth between modern day and when they were girls. Most people have seen the movie. This book is required reading in most highschools on the east coast. I liked it. Some really moving parts, haunting almost.

A must-read. Amy Tan's best.

I didn't think I'd like this book! Instead, I loved it! It's so wonderful!

I saw the movie first and was moved so much that I had to find the book and read it. Very satisfied with the book as well. Very well written with vividly portrayed characters and engaging story. The author knows exactly what she wants and how to write it. Brilliant!

I love how Amy Tan can capture the voices of all the different characters so well.

Our local book club read this last year. It was one of everyone's favorites.

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One of my favorites!!!!! What a beautiful story about unselfish love and finding one's family. I cried ALOT!

Both my teenager and I liked this book

Still my favorite of all the Amy Tan books. A must read for any woman who wants to identify with her mother, but finds it almost impossible - no matter what the reason.

Amy Tan's story of growing up first generation American in a traditional Chinese family is over-the-top good.

I really tried to like this book & got to page 257 before giving up. Too slow for me.

My absolute favorite amy tan book. Ive read this one 3 times in about 10 years and it seems new every time. I LOVE this book.

This is one book that I just can't get started reading.

very very good book!

From the back cover: "Vignettes alternate back & forth between the lives of four Chinese women in pre-1949 China and the lives of their American-born daughters in California..."

"That rare, mesmerizing novel one always seeks but seldom finds...a pure joy to read." - Chicago Tribune

It paperback. Not dogeared. What do you want for free? :)

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