Rate this book

Girl In Translation (2010)

by Jean Kwok(Favorite Author)

3.95 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

1594487561 (ISBN13: 9781594487569)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Riverhead

review 1: I really enjoyed this book about a young Chinese immigrant who struggles mightily to make a better life for her mother and herself. Although a novel, it is semi-autobiographical, and it reads a lot like a memoir. Kimberly and her mother are in debt to family members who brought them to America, and they have abominable working and living conditions. They are fortunate that Kimberly is so intelligent and loves learning, and that she is able to parlay that into scholarships and upward mobility.An inspiring book about drive and determination and overcoming the odds.
review 2: Girl In Translation is a story told from the viewpoint of a young Chinese immigrant trying to make a good life for her and her mother. It spans the years of her childhood and follows her thro... moreugh her heart-breaking life as an illegal child factory worker AND a student in a typical American school. Her only way out was her intellect and high IQ, though she had early challenges with English language. I enjoyed learning a little about the Chinese culture (just on the surface) and it was interesting to read about the bitter difficulties Chinese immigrants face when moving here to make a better life. HOWEVER, her story-telling was quite bland. Rather dull actually. If you break the book down, all Kimberly did was go to school and to the factory. She and her mom lived in an awful place for YEARS and their lives were pretty sad. I just can't imagine living that way, though i know many do. I stayed with the story because I was curious to see how it would end. I was pretty deflated after the ending. It was a let down. BUT I do understand why it ended that way and there is a hidden lesson. I guess I just WANTED it to end differently. And honestly, I do hope she writes a follow-up because I am still interested in Kim & her family. If she has written one I'm not aware of it. It took me forever to finish this book because it just moved SO SLOW...but it could have been finished in a few days because it was a short book and an uncomplicated read. less

Download links for: Girl in Translation

Advertising