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NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • A TODAY SHOW #READWITHJENNA BOOK CLUB PICK! • The moving story of an undocumented child living in poverty in the richest country in the world—an incandescent debut from an astonishing new talent“Heartrending, unvarnished, and powerfully courageous, this account of growing up undocumented in America will never leave you." —Gish Jen, author of The ResistersIn Chinese, the word for America, Mei Guo, translates directly to “beautiful country.” Yet when seven-year-old Qian arrives in New York City in 1994 full of curiosity, she is overwhelmed by crushing fear and scarcity. In China, Qian’s parents were professors; in America, her family is “illegal” and it will require all the determination and small joys they can muster to survive.In Chinatown, Qian’s parents labor in sweatshops. Instead of laughing at her jokes, they fight constantly, taking out the stress of their new life on one another. Shunned by her classmates and teachers for her limited English, Qian takes refuge in the library and masters the language through books, coming to think of The Berenstain Bears as her first American friends. And where there is delight to be found, Qian relishes it: her first bite of gloriously greasy pizza, weekly “shopping days,” when Qian finds small treasures in the trash lining Brooklyn’s streets, and a magical Christmas visit to Rockefeller Center—confirmation that the New York City she saw in movies does exist after all.But then Qian’s headstrong Ma Ma collapses, revealing an illness that she has kept secret for months for fear of the cost and scrutiny of a doctor’s visit. As Ba Ba retreats further inward, Qian has little to hold onto beyond his constant refrain: Whatever happens, say that you were born here, that you’ve always lived here.Inhabiting her childhood perspective with exquisite lyric clarity and unforgettable charm and strength, Qian Julie Wang has penned an essential American story about a family fracturing under the weight of invisibility, and a girl coming of age in the shadows, who never stops seeking the light.

In her poignant and evocative memoir, "Beautiful Country: A Memoir," Qian Julie Wang paints a vivid portrait of her life as a young girl growing up during the tumultuous years of China's Cultural Revolution. With raw honesty and penetrating insight, she recounts her experiences navigating the political upheavals, social injustices, and personal struggles that shaped her identity and propelled her journey towards a new life in America.

Born into a prominent family in Beijing, Qian Julie Wang's childhood was marked by both privilege and hardship. As the daughter of a renowned Peking Opera singer, she enjoyed a life of relative comfort and access to the arts. However, the onset of the Cultural Revolution in 1966 shattered the tranquility of her world. Her family was denounced as "capitalist roaders," and she was forced to endure public humiliation, denunciations, and separation from her beloved parents.

Qian Julie Wang's resilience and determination shine through as she navigates the tumultuous years of the Cultural Revolution. She finds solace in literature and music, immersing herself in the works of Chinese and Western classics. Despite the pervasive fear and uncertainty, she manages to find moments of joy and connection with others, forging friendships that would last a lifetime.

In 1973, Qian Julie Wang's life takes an unexpected turn when she is selected to participate in a cultural exchange program, sending her to the United States. This opportunity opens up a new world for her, exposing her to different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. She embraces this new experience with open arms, immersing herself in American culture and pursuing her education with fervor.

"Beautiful Country: A Memoir" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope. Qian Julie Wang's story of overcoming adversity, finding strength in the face of oppression, and forging a new life in a foreign land is an inspiring and moving tale that resonates with readers of all backgrounds.