Oriental Girls Desire Romance

Amy Tan and Maxine Hong Kingston are the normal cousins of the extended family, and Catherine Liu is the outcasted black sheep. Because the book is prodigal and irreverent both sensually and intellectually, it is not a wonder that some reviewers looking for the typical asian story in the wasteland that is America came out of the book experience not knowing what hit them. But for those whose minds tend to draw no boundaries, perpetually deconstructing the world, this is a book that you will surely appreciate, and enjoy. Is this a thinly disguised auto-biography masquerading as fiction? The answer is not important, I guess. I would think that the heroine of the story exists nonetheless, and the reality Liu painted surrounding her heroine is as real as the urban jungle that is New York, the setting of the story. Actually, the setting of the story is the landscape of the heroine's mind. And the heroine is an Asian American who is neither at home in China nor in America, nor in bed with any of her lovers--male or female. As an Asian woman living in America who hasn't yet pinned a location in the world map which I can comfortably call home, I can relate to the price one pays for being spiritually, culturally, and intellectually nomadic. I guess anyone regardless of race, gender, ethnicity and all those politically correct classifications we tend to use nowadays, who treat life as an eternal journey, will find their own truths in any of Ms. Liu's pages.

This book is an autobiography recounting the life-so-far of a extremely intelligent, educated, self-effacing, and open minded young asian woman in New York city. The story of her life alone is not that unsuaual. However Ms. Lui's homnesty, insight, and humor in telling her story is truely impressive. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels alienated from mainstream society by their intelligence and who is interested in examining their own life for meaning. Few authors have the ability to be so honest and entertaining at the same time. Wonderfully written.It seems some of the reviewers cant stomach honesty. This book is anything but narcissistic. Some mention of sex, drug use, and homosexuality, none of whiuch i share, should not deter you from this marvoulous read. The book is indeed an autobiography however it is a brutely honest, wonderfully sincere, and very well written account of th authors life, relayed unpretentiously and without any meglomania. As an over bearing, conservative, american i cant completly empathise with Ms. Liu's pain. But I can easily idemntify with an extremly intelligent person plight, marginalized from mainstream society by intelligence, unable to buy into normal life. With consistantlty accurate and entertaining analysys of the ridiculous The author has an uncanny talent understanding the sometimes unpleasent, true nature of people as well as herself. Reality is often less pleasent then the fantasy less brave people surround themselves with. Many readers will not appreicate this much honesty however i did.I can only hope the author will keep writing and give us public audience to th exorcisim of her demons. Boo-ya.

Eriko Takai has the wrong idea about this book. It was not meant to be "traditional Asian-American" literature. If that's what you want, go get "The Joy Luck Club." Liu's novel presents an illuminating picture of an Asian-American girl who feels alienated not only from the American culture in which she was raised and immersed, but also from her Chinese roots. The subject of the conflicting pressures of multiple cultures that the minority in America experiences is a fascinationg and too often ignored subject.

This has to be one of the best books I've ever read. It seems to be able to capture the heart and soul of a young Chinese American woman's internal conflicts so well that you think you can now understand what's like to be her. It also seems to be particularly written from the author's heart. I can feel it. And I can totally understand it, and I even see quite a bit of myself in it, as a 20 something Chinese woman who's living in America and struggling to identify my own self. The book describes a tormented soul who's ultimately gifted and irresistible. You'll love her, whether you are a woman or a man, you'd want to be with her because she's vulnerable yet with a hard surface and kind soul. You want to get to know her and you'll ultimately desire her. The title doesn't do the justice of the seriousness of what the book represents. Its understated beauty is equivalent to a rare jade hidden from the rough.