I am currently binge listening to #writing courses on #MasterClass. #AmyTan mentions that #TheJoyLuckClub was criticized for having too much of an American perspective on #Chinese culture and perpetuating negative stereotypes. I read the #book decades ago, but started to think about rereading it because I’m curious about this critique. Last night I dreamed that I did start #reading it again and found it full of horrible stereotype after stereotype. I didn’t realize how deeply that thought had penetrated, to show up in my #dreams. It seems to me that a person’s understanding of their heritage culture is valid, even if potentially distorted. In fact, perhaps even important to deviate from 100% accuracy when written from a first generation #ChineseAmerican perspective. Curious what readers think, especially any first generation Chinese American readers/ #writers. #bookstodon

I am currently binge listening to #writing courses on #MasterClass. #AmyTan mentions that she was criticized for having too much of an American perspective on #Chinese culture and perpetuating negative stereotypes. I read the #book decades ago, but started to think about rereading it because I’m curious about this critique. Last night I dreamed that I did start #reading it again and found it full of horrible stereotype after stereotype. I didn’t realize how deeply that thought had penetrated, to show up in my #dreams. It seems to me that a person’s understanding of their heritage culture is valid, even if potentially distorted. In fact, perhaps even important to deviate from 100% accuracy when written from a first generation #ChineseAmerican perspective. Curious what readers think, especially any first generation Chinese American readers/ #writers. #bookstodon

Jess Teoh moves back to Malaysia with her parents after her dad's illness & Penang is crowded with family, none of whom knows that she's gay except her grandmother's ghost. Turns out Penang is crowded with secrets & ghosts & gods as well & Jess' Harvard degree is of no help wrenching her life back from history. Enjoyable read, somewhat reminiscent of #AmyTan

#booksofmastodon #reading #bookstodon #readingcommunity #bibliophile #Bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookToot #lgbtq #fantasy

Jess Teoh moves back to Malaysia with her parents after her dad's illness & Penang is crowded with family, none of whom knows that she's gay except the ghost of her grandmother. Turns out Penang is crowded with secrets & ghosts & gods as well & Jess' Harvard degree is of no help wrenching her life back from history. Enjoyable read, somewhat reminiscent of #AmyTan

#booksofmastodon #reading #bookstodon #readingcommunity #bibliophile #Bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookToot #lgbtq #fantasy

Authors!
#TomRobbins
#NeilGaiman
#ChuckPalahniuk
#DouglasAdams
#TonyVigorito
#AmyTan
#AnneRice
#BarbaraKingsolver
#StephenKing
#JamesFell
#FatherNathanMonk

And So many more!

@unamccormack Great idea!
#JohnIrving
#RayBradbury
#IsabelAllende
#PaulAuster
#AnnaQuindlen
#HaJin
#NickHornby
#KurtVonnegut
#RichardRusso
#AmyTan
#OctaviaEButler