I knew almost nothing about this book when I picked it up. I had seen it on lists and I liked the title. What it's about is very succinctly put on the cover, which is an odd and interesting place to put it.
"This is a story about a mother, two daughters, and two dogs. This was supposed to be a story of how Chinese parents are better at raising kids than Western ones. But instead, it's about a bitter clash of cultures, a fleeting taste of glory, and how I was humbled by a thirteen-year-old."
I read this book in just a few days, which is pretty amazing for me and my schedule right now. It was provocative.
It was interesting to read as a parent, even though I hold Western ideals of parenting despite the proof of the results of Chinese parenting. I'm always fascinated by mother-daughter stories, being both a mother and a daughter myself. Especially since my own daughter is so young and still thinks the sun rises and sets with me.
And it was enlightening for someone who has read many fictional stories of Chinese Americans, particularly Amy Tan. It shed some light on the dynamics of mother-daughter relationships in those books.
It was also an interesting look at immigrant culture--seeing how each generation changed as a result of having come to America.
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