Kimberly Chang is only eleven year's old when she and her widowed mother left Hong Kong for the prospect of a better life in America. Her mother's older sister, Aunt Paula, is their sponsor. Aunt Paula gives Mrs. Chang a job in a Chinatown clothing factory (sweat shop), so that she can pay off her debt to her. Aunt Paula also finds Kimberly and her ma an apartment in Brooklyn. The building is in terrible condition, and the living conditions are just atrocious -- no heat, and rodents and cockroaches run rampant in the building. In winter they must sleep on a mattress in front of the kitchen stove with their heavy coats on, to try and keep warm.
Kimberly was an excellent student in Hong Kong, however, in the US since she does not speak English, she is placed in a class with a group of underachievers. She works hard to learn the language, and to try to earn the respect of her teachers and classmates. Her math and science skills are superior and she was advanced two levels because of her intelligence. She also gains admittance to a private school after her teachers see how smart she is. Unfortunately, Kimberly faces a whole new series of issues at her new school, as she attends classes with students from extremely wealthy families.
For Kim and her ma, life is rough, but the two of them, never lose their drive and desire to succeed. The two of them stay in the horrible apartment for seven years, trying to make a life for themselves. Ma works hard to pay off their debt to Aunt Paula, and Kimberly helps out at the factory after school to help meet daily deadlines. Aunt Paula takes advantage of the fact that ma and Kimberly are fast workers, so she cuts her piece-work rate. To put into perspective just how terrible wages were, when Kimberly spent $1.99 to buy her friend a Christmas present, she described it as the amount they earned for completing 133 skirts at the factory (1980s).
I don't want to spoil the story by telling you how it ends - 20 years later. I'll just say that Girl in Translation
was a poignant, coming of age story about the immigrant experience in America. As I first read, and listened to the audio book, the story sounded more like a YA novel than an adult novel, but I think that was because the novel starts out with eleven year old Kimberly telling their story. I truly enjoyed the first person narration by Kimberly as she tries to master the English language, excel in school, and help her mother at the factory, deal with first love, and assert herself for that which she believe in. She was truly an inspiration and testament to hard work and determination. While in many ways Kimberly achieves the American Dream of immigrants in this country, the road getting there was anything but easy.
was a poignant, coming of age story about the immigrant experience in America. As I first read, and listened to the audio book, the story sounded more like a YA novel than an adult novel, but I think that was because the novel starts out with eleven year old Kimberly telling their story. I truly enjoyed the first person narration by Kimberly as she tries to master the English language, excel in school, and help her mother at the factory, deal with first love, and assert herself for that which she believe in. She was truly an inspiration and testament to hard work and determination. While in many ways Kimberly achieves the American Dream of immigrants in this country, the road getting there was anything but easy.
The audio book was excellent, read by Grayce Wey. It was great to see how Kimberly mastered the English language, improving each year that she was in school. The novel in some ways is reflective of the author's own childhood. Jean Kwok's biography can be read HERE. RECOMMENDED - 4.5/5 stars
(Review Copy and Library audio book)
I've got this in print and I'm anxious to read it! This is exactly the kind of story I love.
ReplyDeleteI've somehow avoided every review ever written for this book, but yours caught my eye. Your description sounds a lot like The Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man, in that it starts out with the sentence structure of a young boy and matures as he matures. It is an interesting writing style, and you've made me rethink wanting to add this book to my wish list.
ReplyDeleteWell, you got me interested.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you enjoyed this one. I definitely want to read it.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it had a YA feel on occasion and that it was a very good read.
ReplyDeleteStories of immigrants are always poignant. They end up very successful but at what cost.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite reads this year, Diane!
ReplyDeleteI really want to read this so I am glad you liked it! I may want to consider looking into the audio version.
ReplyDeleteIve read a few good reviews of this one now, so Ill look out for it now
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ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite books of 2010.
ReplyDeleteI have to read this one...I must!!!Excellent review Diane.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book; it will probably be in my top 10 of 2010. Glad that you liked it!
ReplyDeleteAnother one that wouldn't have gone onto the TBR list w/o your review. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book as well and am so glad that you enjoyed it. I was really mad at Kim's aunt and Uncle for most of the book, and really felt that Kim and her mom had such a hard time of it. It was an inspirational ending though a little sad too. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI've seen this book everywhere but have never had the desire to pick it up. What you've written about it though has piqued my interest.
ReplyDeleteI should've picked it up when I was at Borders last weekend. It was starting at me and I think has been for a couple of times. Thanks for the review. I'd be sure to get it next time.
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