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 deeply personal memoir, "Beautiful Country: A Memoir," Qian Julie Wang shares her remarkable journey as a young Chinese woman navigating the complexities of her identity in America. With candor and humor, she recounts her experiences growing up in a traditional Chinese family, her struggles to adapt to American culture, and her quest for self-discovery.
Wang's story begins in the vibrant city of Shanghai, where she was raised by her loving parents and grandparents. Immersed in Chinese traditions and values, she felt a strong connection to her heritage. However, her life took an unexpected turn when her family decided to immigrate to the United States.
As a teenager, Wang found herself in a completely foreign environment. She grappled with the challenges of learning a new language, adapting to a different educational system, and facing cultural misunderstandings. Despite the difficulties, she persevered, excelling in school and eventually pursuing higher education.
Throughout her memoir, Wang explores the complexities of identity and belonging. She reflects on her experiences as a Chinese immigrant in America, the tension between her traditional upbringing and her desire for independence, and the search for a place where she truly feels at home.
With poignant storytelling and insightful observations, "Beautiful Country" offers readers a glimpse into the life of a young woman who courageously embraced change and ultimately found her own path to happiness and fulfillment.
