60 pages • 2 hours read
The Woman Warrior
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Book Brief
The Woman Warrior
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1976204
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
California And China • 20th century
1976
Adult
14+ years
880L
Super Short Summary
The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston is an experimental memoir that intertwines the author’s childhood in California with her mother's youth in rural China, along with folklore, legend, and myth. The narrative explores themes of identity, cultural heritage, family secrets, and the challenges of navigating between different cultural expectations. Sensitive topics include suicide, adultery, and mental health struggles.
Contemplative
Melancholic
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
33,636 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior has received acclaim for its lyrical prose and inventive blend of autobiography and folklore. Reviewers praise its exploration of identity and cultural conflict, though some find its structure and narrative style challenging. Overall, it's celebrated for its depth and emotional resonance, despite occasional critiques of its complexity.
Who Should Read The Woman Warrior ?
Readers who enjoy The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston typically appreciate narratives that blend memoir, myth, and cultural history. Fans of Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club or Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake will find Kingston's exploration of Chinese-American identity and generational storytelling captivating.
33,636 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Brave Orchid
Brave Orchid
Kingston’s mother, a strong-willed and resourceful figure, with a background in medicine and storytelling, who brings her vibrant Chinese traditions to life in America.
Moon Orchid
Moon Orchid
Brave Orchid’s kind but delicate sister, who experiences culture shock and personal challenges upon immigrating to California late in life.
204
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
California And China • 20th century
1976
Adult
14+ years
880L
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