BookHounds

Books, Gardens & Dogs

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Giveaways
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Giveaway Hops!
  • Privacy Policy
  • Review Policy
  • Wish List
  • Reviews by Title

REVIEW: Bitter Melon by Cara Chow

March 22, 2011 By Mary Leave a Comment

Description

Frances, a Chinese-American student at an academically competitive school in San Francisco, has always had it drilled into her to be obedient to her mother and to be a straight-A student so that she can go to Med school.  But is being a doctor what she wants?  It has never even occurred to Frances to question her own feelings and desires until she accidentally winds up in speech class and finds herself with a hidden talent.  Does she dare to challenge the mother who has sacrificed everything for her?  Set in the 1980s.

About the Author

Cara Chow was born in Hong Kong and grew up in the Richmond district of San Francisco, where Bitter Melon is set.  She attended an all girls’ Catholic high school, competed in speech, and had an encouraging speech coach, which served in part as the inspiration for her novel.  She was a PEN Emerging Voices Fellow in 2001. In addition to writing, Cara also teaches Pilates. She currently lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband and son. Bitter Melon is her first novel.

Details

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 320 pages
  • Publisher: EgmontUSA (December 28, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1606841262
  • ISBN-13: 978-1606841266

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

Every once in awhile I come across a book that really hits me emotionally and Cara Chow’s Bitter Melon is one of those books.  It filled me with pleasure, a bit of sadness and a some triumph.  The characters just jump off the page and the dialogue just flows perfectly.  This story is set in the 1980’s but you would only pick up on the decade once or twice since the story is really quite contemporary.  I loved how the author took on such themes as tradition and duty versus independence and individualism. 

Frances finds herself in that in between world of family values and that teen need for independence.  She is expected to become a doctor and support her mother after graduation.  These plans go awry when Frances ends up in a speech class rather than the Berkley worthy class of calculus through a mistake. When Frances finds a natural talent for public speaking and is encouraged by her teacher, Ms. Taylor, she comes out of her subservient role and truly finds her own voice.

There are some moments in the book where you will find yourself weeping for the abuse that Frances endures from her mother, Gracie.  Gracie is set on raising Frances in a traditional Chinese way and only seeks monetary success for her daughter with no other options.  If you have read anything about the Tiger Mother controversy lately, this book will give you the point of view from a child’s perspective and how hard it is to live up to the expectations of the parents.

Gracie’s best friend, Nellie and her daughter, Theresa try to calm down Gracie and help Frances through the abuse they see but can’t truly act on since it is acceptable for the immigrant Chinese culture and for that matter most immigrant cultures through out history.  Theresa truly grows with the help she receives from Frances’ friendship and Nellie is just a fun romp with her enthusiasm for life.  This is a book that can be enjoyed by all family members and should spark some important discussions about teenage life.

WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK?
Go HERE for details!

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr

Related Posts

  • Related Posts
Cover Reveal: Amends: A Psychic Mystery Series Car
Interview THE SHADE UNDER THE MANGO TREE by Evy Jo
Savage Beginnings by J.L. Beck & C. Hallman @
Cover Reveal: Prescription for a Lonely by Heart R
Cover Reveal: Oracle by Carissa Andrews @CarissaAn

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Follow Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Goodreads

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 31,165 other subscribers

Current Giveaways

$50 Amazon Gift Card & a Digital Copy of Brooke Burroughs’ THE MARRIAGE CODE

$50 Amazon Gift Card & a Digital Copy of Brooke Burroughs’ THE MARRIAGE CODE — Ends Jan 24th, 2021

BALLET ORPHANS, a $25 gift card & swag

BALLET ORPHANS, a $25 gift card & swag — Ends Feb 1st, 2021

POWER DIVIDED & swag packs that include magnets,& tote bags, US Only.

POWER DIVIDED & swag packs that include magnets,& tote bags, US Only. — Ends Feb 1st, 2021

$100 Amazon gift card

$100 Amazon gift card — Ends Jan 21st, 2021

$25 Amazon gift card

$25 Amazon gift card — Ends Jan 22nd, 2021

$20 Amazon gift card

$20 Amazon gift card — Ends Jan 22nd, 2021

$25 Amazon gift card

$25 Amazon gift card — Ends Jan 22nd, 2021

$25 g.c. (Amazon/Nook/iTunes, your choice)

$25 g.c. (Amazon/Nook/iTunes, your choice) — Ends Jan 21st, 2021

$25 Amazon gift card

$25 Amazon gift card — Ends Jan 22nd, 2021

$25 Amazon gift card

$25 Amazon gift card — Ends Jan 22nd, 2021

$15 Amazon gift card

$15 Amazon gift card — Ends Jan 22nd, 2021

$20 Amazon gift card

$20 Amazon gift card — Ends Jan 22nd, 2021

$50 Amazon gift card

$50 Amazon gift card — Ends Jan 22nd, 2021

Signed copies of all Kaylene's books

Signed copies of all Kaylene's books — Ends Jan 22nd, 2021

2 x $5 Amazon gift cards + an ebook copy of The Lost Princess

2 x $5 Amazon gift cards + an ebook copy of The Lost Princess — Ends Jan 21st, 2021

$15 Amazon gift card

$15 Amazon gift card — Ends Jan 29th, 2021

$25 Amazon gift card

$25 Amazon gift card — Ends Jan 29th, 2021

$10 Amazon gift card

$10 Amazon gift card — Ends Jan 29th, 2021

giveaway

Upcoming Giveaways

Warlocks of the Black Oak Boxset + a 25$ Amazon Gift Card

Warlocks of the Black Oak Boxset + a 25$ Amazon Gift Card — Begins 20 Jan

1 lucky winner will receive a swag pack with a $20 Amazon Gift Card, International.

1 lucky winner will receive a swag pack with a $20 Amazon Gift Card, International. — Begins 08 Dec

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2021 ·Modern Blogger Pro · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · Design Update by Imagination Designs WordPress · Log in