| Rating: | ★★★ |
| Category: | Books |
| Genre: | Literature & Fiction |
| Author: | Judy Fong Bates |
The story is of a Chinese Immigrant family who own a Diner, The Dragon Cafe, in the 1960's, in the small Town of Irvine on the outskirts of Toronto. The Story is told from the POV of the daughter of the family reflecting back to the time when she came to Irvine. During a particular summer, when her Older Brother comes home to help out with the restaurant, Sujen's life completely changes through the events that ensue, compelling her to become the one who holds a family secret. How she moves through her loss of innocence, from a point of resentment to the point of acceptance is what the story is all about.
Su-jen is about 7 years old when she arrives at the Dragon Cafe, a chinese restaurant that her father and his friend have opened. The story brings out the experience of being an Immigrant, the only Chinese family that is completely Isolated from the reality of the language barrier and the fact that owning a diner leaves hardly any time to socialize. The stark loneliness, Sujen's mother feels because of the cultural difference doubles with the fact that there is so much resentment between her and Sujen's father. Sujen becomes aware of this as she grows with one leg in being Chinese and the other leg in being Canadian, never really feeling Whole in either place.
The author does a fantastic job of capturing the divide between the two cultures and the schism in Sujen's mind. In conversations Sujen has with her Canadian Friends, there are times like she missed something even thought she has by that time perfected English. And the Irony, when the family gathers together with other Chinese friends or her Parents listen to old Chinese Songs, Sujen never really gets what they mean. Its like Sujen is an Island unto herself.
As I read it, I wondered if my Children would go through similar experiences where they are far removed from the experiences of their peers at school or the experiences of their cousins back in India. Do they also feel a schism? If so, could I lessen the impact in anyway? Would I be able to get them to a place of complete acceptance for the way they are, regardless of the differences, without any resentment on their part?
This story is very thoughtful in the way it moves through Sujen's thoughts about her father, mother, brother and friends. The way she experiences loss, the path of learning to let go and accept what is, shows the truth about Human Nature, regardless of where we come from. I enjoyed this.
6 comments:
It sounds like an interesting read indeed. I have that thought with my daughter too, as she goes through the French school system, while I remain very English, not such a vast difference between east and west, but another way of being all the same.
Thanks for this review Rashmi and yes it sounds like a fantastic read.
Chinese sync, Rashmi! Last night Darren had a Chinese face on, and I got the name Hyang Sin, and Harbin. Coincidentally, last night Eric was channeling Chinese poetry
sounds like a great book
Thank you for the great review, sis!
You made me wana grab the book and read it right away..only I dont think I can find it here..:-(
Rashmi this would be a very interesting read. I am not sure what it's like where you live but here is very mixed with a variety of people from all over. But aside of that this seems to be a very interesting book that you have read.
thanks for the recommendation. it sounds somewhat like the Joy Luck Club, which i really enjoyed... i'll pick this up during my next visit to the library.
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