Books - Amy Tan

22 Umbrellas · 11-22-2004, 05:08 PM

So I just realized that there is no Amy Tan thread in sight on this board, and that, to me, is just wrong. She is such a wonderful and talented writer, at least in my opinion. Her books have inspired me to keep writing countless times. And as if that weren't enough, she also tours with the all-writer band Rock Bottom Remainders to raise money for organizations like America Scores.

My favorite novel of hers would probably have to The Bonesetter's Daughter. I love how so much of it comes from her own life and her own experiences.

**onionroach** · 11-23-2004, 11:34 AM

I like her. I think I have all of her books. My favorite would have to be One Hundred Secret Senses. I cried like a baby in that.

Crossbow · 11-23-2004, 04:53 PM

I loved The Joyluck Club, but I don't think I have read any others.

In Joyluck, I found that the mother's stories felt like fables. It seemd as if they were interspersing the daughters' "real" stories with myths.

In the movie, Waverly's relationship with her mother made me cry!

22 Umbrellas · 11-23-2004, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Crossbow
In the movie, Waverly's relationship with her mother made me cry!

That whole movie made me cry the first time I saw it. It was very depressing. Unfortunately, I don't think it did the novel justice at all. Because I agree with what you said about the mothers' stories, and I think that fable-like quality was sort of lost on screen. But yeah, I love The Joy Luck Club, too. I actually love most novels written in vignettes; I find them interesting.

wanderer78 · 11-23-2004, 10:55 PM

The only one I've read is "The Joy Luck Club". I did cry at the movie, but I was watching it with my mother. We both were bawling.

I saw the movie first, but I preferred the novel.

Crossbow · 11-24-2004, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rain Candy
Unfortunately, I don't think it did the novel justice at all.

Overall, I agree, but in the case of Waverly's story, it didn't really affect me in the book but it did in the movie.

**onionroach** · 11-24-2004, 08:45 PM

I saw the movie before I read Joy Luck Club and it tainted my reading of the book. I definately prefer the movie.

Star5 · 11-25-2004, 07:26 AM

I've never read any of her books before but funnily anough I've just got The Bonesetters Daughter out of the library. It sounded really good from the blurb.

**Quarterley** · 11-26-2004, 05:32 AM

I must the odd one.

I actually liked The Kitchen God's Wife the most.

I saw the movie for The Joy Luck Club too. It was pretty good but I still liked the novel more. Maybe it was cuz I read the book first.

**Lemurian** · 11-28-2004, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by quarterley
I saw the movie for The Joy Luck Club too. It was pretty good but I still liked the novel more. Maybe it was cuz I read the book first.

I saw the movie first but I liked the book much more than the movie.

Have enjoyed each of Amy Tan's books. And I've gotta admit that I have even enjoyed the cartoon series that was based on her childrens' book about Siamese cats.

**onionroach** · 11-29-2004, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lemurian
I saw the movie first but I liked the book much more than the movie.

Have enjoyed each of Amy Tan's books. And I've gotta admit that I have even enjoyed the cartoon series that was based on her childrens' book about Siamese cats.

Hey, is the cartoon called Sagwa on PBS?

22 Umbrellas · 11-29-2004, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lemurian
I saw the movie first but I liked the book much more than the movie.

Have enjoyed each of Amy Tan's books. And I've gotta admit that I have even enjoyed the cartoon series that was based on her childrens' book about Siamese cats.

Same here. I saw the movie long before I read the book but still liked the book a lot more when I finally read it.

I never knew there was a cartoon series. Or maybe I did and forgot; that's entirely possible. I haven't had a chance to read any of her childrens' books, but I'll have to check it out.

**Lemurian** · 11-29-2004, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rain Candy
...I never knew there was a cartoon series. Or maybe I did and forgot; that's entirely possible. I haven't had a chance to read any of her childrens' books, but I'll have to check it out.

The cartoon series has been playing on PBS for a couple of years. It's called Sagwa, The Chinese Siames Cat, and it's really charming. Amy Tan created the character but didn't author every episode.

Soz · 11-29-2004, 11:44 PM

I didn't know Sagwa was an Amy Tan creation either.

I had to read an excerpt from The Joy Luck Club in college, but I've never read the whole book. I have three of her books, including that one though, so I'll get around to them eventually.

**onionroach** · 11-30-2004, 11:19 AM

Sagwa is a cute cartoon. My boys used to watch it when they were a little younger.