A Guide to Amy Tan Books
Amy Tan, born in 1952 to Chinese immigrants, grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and took her first fiction workshop in 1985. Her debut story, “Rules of the Game,” gained attention and led to the success of her bestselling debut novel The Joy Luck Club. Tan would go on to be co-producer and co-screenwriter for the novel’s film adaptation, which would later be preserved in the National Film Registry. Tan’s novels often engage with themes like the Chinese American experience, the relationship between mothers and daughters, and the tension between tradition and modernity. Tan received the National Humanities Medal from President Joe Biden in 2023 and is an active birder and member of the literary garage band, the Rock Bottom Remainders.
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Add to BookshelfThe Backyard Bird Chronicles
by Amy Tan
Amy Tan shares her journey into birding amid a chaotic world. Through daily entries, thoughtful questions, and original sketches, she captures the natural beauty around her. Overwhelmed by negativity in 2016, Tan sought peace in her yard’s birds. This exploration became a way to savor quiet moments, connect with nature, and appreciate the intricate lives of the birds she observed, offering solace during turbulent times.
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$35.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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The Joy Luck Club
by Amy Tan
Four Chinese immigrant women in San Francisco meet to eat dim sum, play mahjong, and share their stories of loss and hope. Amy Tan’s debut novel explores the deep, complex connections between these mothers and their American-born daughters over four decades. Through wit and sensitivity, Tan reveals how each woman’s secrets intertwine, highlighting the struggles and bonds between generations. As they navigate cultural differences and personal histories, the characters confront their ties, offering readers an immersive experience into their intricate lives and relationships.
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The Bonesetter’s Daughter
by Amy Tan
Ruth Young and her widowed mother, LuLing, have always had a tumultuous relationship. Before succumbing to forgetfulness, LuLing shares her writings, revealing a side of herself that Ruth has never known. Growing up in a remote mountain village under the care of her mute Precious Auntie, LuLing faced a family curse linked to a bonesetter. When she rejects a coffinmaker’s marriage proposal, a series of events unfold, ultimately connecting their past to Ruth’s life in modern San Francisco. The truths Ruth uncovers about her mother’s history transform her understanding of family, love, and forgiveness.
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The Hundred Secret Senses
by Amy Tan
Set in San Francisco and a remote village in Southwestern China, Amy Tan’s The Hundred Secret Senses explores American assumptions through the lens of Chinese ghosts. In 1962, five-year-old Olivia meets her half-sister Kwan, who sees spirits with her “yin eyes.” As they navigate their complicated relationship and Olivia’s faltering marriage, Kwan shares her captivating story, revealing the splendor and violence of mid-19th-century China. With her trademark wisdom and humor, Tan weaves a tale of love’s inheritance, uncovering secrets, illusions, and truths that shape their lives.
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$19.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Saving Fish from Drowning
by Amy Tan
San Francisco art patron Bibi Chen plans a sensory journey along the Burma Road for eleven friends, but after her mysterious death, she watches in dismay as they stray from her itinerary, encountering cultural missteps, tribal curses, and romantic desires. On Christmas morning, the group vanishes while cruising across a misty lake. As an observant spirit, Bibi witnesses both the good intentions and misfortunes of the travelers, revealing the complexities of human nature. The story invites readers to explore the place in their hearts where hope resides amidst chaos and uncertainty.
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$17.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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The Kitchen God’s Wife
by Amy Tan
Winnie and Helen have guarded each other’s secrets for over 50 years. Believing she is dying, Helen wants to reveal everything, prompting Winnie to confront her own past. Determined to tell her daughter Pearl the truth — including a secret even Helen doesn’t know — Winnie shares her life story on a small island near Shanghai in the 1920s and throughout China during World War II, tracing the joyful and desperate events that led her to America in 1949.
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The Opposite of Fate
by Amy Tan
Amy Tan’s memoir explores her journey from a childhood filled with tragedy and humor to becoming a celebrated novelist. With warmth and insight, she reflects on her past, recounting family dynamics and personal struggles. Tan’s narrative offers vivid portraits of choices and luck, providing a refreshing perspective amidst life’s uncertainties. Through her experiences, she connects with readers, showcasing her profound empathy and the cultural complexities that define her work.
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