46 pages • 1 hour read
Beautiful Country: A Memoir
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Book Brief
320
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
New York City • 1990s
2021
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang narrates her family's journey as they immigrate from China to the United States. As a young girl, Qian endures hardship, poverty, and racism while her highly educated parents work menial jobs with little pay. Despite numerous challenges, Qian's perseverance leads her from New York's public schools to Yale Law School, reclaiming her voice through advocacy and writing a memoir. The book includes accounts of physical abuse.
Melancholic
Informative
Challenging
Emotional
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
39,980 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang is an evocative memoir that captivates with its poignant narrative and exquisite prose. Critics appreciate its honest depiction of immigrant struggles through a child's eyes, though some feel it lacks depth in certain areas. Overall, it is praised for its emotional impact and lyrical storytelling, offering an intimate glimpse into the author's life.
Who Should Read Beautiful Country?
Readers who appreciate heartfelt immigration stories and overcoming adversity will enjoy Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang. Fans of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi will find similar themes of resilience and the search for identity compelling.
39,980 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
320
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
New York City • 1990s
2021
Adult
18+ years
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