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Book Synopsis
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 Resisters In 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, 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 work in sweatshops and sushi factories. Instead of laughing at her jokes or watching her sing and dance, they fight constantly. Qian goes to school hungry, where she teaches herself English through library books, her only source of comfort. At home, Qian's headstrong and resilient Ma Ma ignores her own pain until she's unable to stand, too afraid of the cost and attention a hospital visit might bring. And yet, young Qian, now acting as her mother's nurse, her family's translator, a student and a worker, cannot ask for help. The number-one rule in America still stands: To be noticed is to risk losing everything. Searing and unforgettable, Beautiful Country is 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.Review Quotes
Beautiful Country is the real deal. Heartrending, unvarnished, and powerfully courageous, this account of growing up undocumented in America will never leave you.--Gish Jen, author of The Resisters "Beautiful Country rings with power and authenticity. Wang's searing exploration reveals how she and her family were forced to navigate the yawning cracks in the American Dream. An eloquent, thought-provoking and touching memoir."--Jean Kwok, author of Girl in Translation and Searching for Sylvie Lee
About the Author
QIAN JULIE WANG is a graduate of Yale Law School and Swarthmore College. Formerly a commercial litigator, she is now managing partner of Gottlieb & Wang LLP, a firm dedicated to advocating for education and civil rights. Her writing has appeared in major publications such as the New York Times and the Washington Post. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their two rescue dogs, Salty and Peppers.Dimensions (Overall): 9 Inches (H) x 1 Inches (W) x 6 Inches (D)
Weight: 1 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 320
Genre: Biography + Autobiography
Sub-Genre: Cultural, Ethnic & Regional
Publisher: Doubleday Books
Format: Hardcover
Author: Qian Julie Wang
Book theme: General
Language: English
Street Date: September 7, 2021
TCIN: 82169111
UPC: 9780385547215
Item Number (DPCI): 059-01-5866
Origin: Made in the USA
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Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 1 inches length x 6.13 inches width x 9.25 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1.343 pounds
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Beautiful Country
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
CaptainAwesome - 3 years ago, Verified purchaser
Qian Julie Wang is an incredible person and writer. It’s wonderful that she’s sharing her story with the world. Highly recommend picking up a copy of her book and one for a friend!
Great book club pick
5 out of 5 stars
Akbaird - 4 years ago
Beautiful Country is a deeply moving memoir that shows the struggles that this author’s family went through with living in poverty, dealing with racism, discrimination, learning English, and just trying to navigate the American life. The book begins with an account of her parents life in China growing up in political turmoil. This author then goes on to describe how her family immigrated to America on tourist Visas and how they lived undocumented. This author overcame so much to eventually become a lawyer! This debut author writes a remarkable book that’s puts the reader in the shoes of her families journey of being Chinese immigrants and gives them a understanding of what they went through. A book that will really open the readers eyes to to the horrors and accomplishments of their immigrant experience! It’s an inspiring read, so be sure to add to your Fall TBR list. A great book for book clubs!