Comments on: Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok – Book Review

By: Aths

Aths — Mon, 17 May 2010 20:10:06 +0000

This one is on my TBR too. I was reading an interview of this author recently, and was quite amazed that she herself had been in Chinatown once living a very poor and hard life. The life experiences she mentioned were very hard.

By: Colleen (Books in the City)

Colleen (Books in the City) — Fri, 14 May 2010 17:53:57 +0000

great review! I really like immigrant fiction so I plan to pick this one up.

By: nomadreader

nomadreader — Fri, 14 May 2010 16:26:55 +0000

I am a sucker for a good coming of age novel. I have an ARC languishing on my TBR shelf, but perhaps I’ll move it near the top of the pile. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much!

By: Beth F

Beth F — Thu, 13 May 2010 12:39:52 +0000

I was thinking of this one for the EW Summer challenge — now I’ll make an effort to read it.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Wed, 12 May 2010 21:08:49 +0000

I was just going to ask if this was on the Summer list, and Julie just answered my question! I’d love to get my hands on the audio of this one.

By: bermudaonion (Kathy)

bermudaonion (Kathy) — Wed, 12 May 2010 20:12:27 +0000

This sounds fantastic! I love coming of age stories and immigration stories.

By: DW

DW — Wed, 12 May 2010 20:10:50 +0000

Great review. I need to find the time to read this book and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn sounds good too. Two more books I’m adding to my TBR.

By: Julie P.

Julie P. — Wed, 12 May 2010 18:12:28 +0000

I can’t wait to read this! It’s one of the books for the EW Summer Books Reading Challenge and everyone seems to think it’s wonderful!

By: devourerofbooks

devourerofbooks — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:40:12 +0000

I did, after I wrote the review. It was the instance of both of them choosing to do what it took to go to a better school that really brought my attention to the similarities, as I had just read that section of A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN for the first time.

By: Lydia

Lydia — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:29:17 +0000

You are so good to tie GIRL in with A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN! Did you see this blurb?: “A moving coming of age story, reminiscent of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The possibility of Kimberly Chang’s extraordinary struggle and achievement is what makes America a great nation—generous, forgiving and full of hope. Kwok perfectly captures the voice and perspective of a young immigrant, and the result is a powerful work about love, sacrifice and faith.”—Min Jin Lee, author of the bestselling Free Food for Millionaires

Wonderful review, per the usual, Jen! I think Kimberly has some of the societal (wrong word, maybe) flaws of occasionally getting caught up in other people’s opinions of her. She definitely wishes for better clothes and to be more accepted at her new school, but luckily is strong enough to get past these shortcomings. I thought Kimberly and her mother were both very real, compelling characters.