Book 22: The Joy Luck Club
"Wah!" cried the mother upon seeing the mirrored armoire in the master suite of her daughter's new condominium. "You cannot put mirrors at the foot of the bed. All your marriage happiness will bounce back and turn the opposite way."
"Well, that's the only place it fits, so that's where it stays," said the daughter, irritated that her mother saw bad omens in everything. She had heard these warnings all her life.
The mother frowned, reaching into her twice-used Macy's bag. "Hunh, lucky I can fix it for you, then." And she pulled out the gilt-edged mirror she had bought at the Price Club last week. It was her housewarming present. She leaned it against the headboard, on top of two pillows.
"You hang it here," said the mother, pointing to the wall above. "This mirror see that mirror--haule!--multiply your peach-blossom luck."
"What is peach blossom luck?"
The mother smiled, mischief in her eyes. "It is in here," she said, pointing to the mirror. "Look inside. Tell me, am I right? In this mirror is my future grandchild, already sitting on my lap next spring."
And the daughter looked--and haule! There is was: her own reflection looking back at her.
~The Joy Luck Club--American Translation by: Amy Tan
This book was one of the best books that I have read in a while. I have really enjoyed all of the books that I have read this summer so far, but this book was so different from what I'm used to reading that I was really surprised. Not only do I have more respect for the Chinese culture, but also for my own mother and my own ancestry. This book is a life lesson for all young women, no matter what background the woman comes from. All mothers want what is best for their children, no matter how the show it (or don't show it). Amy Tan makes this fact hit home in every way imaginable.
She tells the story through four daughters and four mothers, all with different pasts, but all brought together by the promise of America and their friendship in The Joy Luck Club. Each story is a new lesson taught with wisdom that is ancient, but timeless. All women are strong, they just have to find that in themselves. My favorite story was that of An-mei and her daughter Rose. The tale is about keeping their "face", in other words, their dignity. Rose is facing a divorce with her overbearing husband and is willing to let him take everything from her that she has ever known. She is broken and has lost the face that she had never really found. After a few words with her mother, she defies her husband and regains her face, showing the strength that she has finally found in herself through her ancestry and culture.
Every woman should read this book and afterward, they will see why all mothers deserve respect and love.
Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Kelly :)