March Book Club: End of the Month Discussion

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Hello! And welcome to March's CRLiterature Book Club wrap-up for American Born Chinese!  Check out the March Book Club: Mid-Month Check In and March Book Club: American Born Chinese (intro article) for more information on this month's book and past discussion questions!

This month we will be discussing the ENTIRE novel, so spoilers for all of it from here on out!

Question 1: 

The theme of identity (specifically cultural identity) runs an important thread throughout the novel. What does Yang have to say about identity in the narrative, and how does he get his message across? Have you had instances of where it was tempting to cover up or hide your own identity (whether it happens to be cultural, religious, or gender identity)?  How does the book speak to those sorts of issues in the novel?

Identity by Emberblue

Question 2: 

If you could remove one character from the novel, who would it be? How do you think the story would change if you removed this character?
Monkey King chibi by Launite

Question 3: 

What did you think of the ending? (Mind-blowing, I know.) Do you think it was an effective conclusion to the story, or that Yang could have tied up some more loose ends?


Prizes!!

Don't forget, we are offering an AWESOME PRIZE to whoever participates the most on the mid-month and end-of-the-month discussions! There hasn't been much discussion on the mid-month journal, so go over there and start talking!!

The prize for March Book Club is This One Summer, a fantastic teen graphic novel, by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki, courtesy of First Second/MacMillan. 

This One Summer Cover by doodlerTM

I'm excited to wrap up the discussion of this book - come join us! :la:

Skin by Dan Leveille
© 2015 - 2024 doodlerTM
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vespera
Question 1: The theme of identity (specifically cultural identity) runs an important thread throughout the novel. What does Yang have to say about identity in the narrative, and how does he get his message across? Have you had instances of where it was tempting to cover up or hide your own identity (whether it happens to be cultural, religious, or gender identity)?  How does the book speak to those sorts of issues in the novel?

I like how the message is to embrace your cultural identity, whatever it is, even if it's not always easy. Very positive. I also applaud him for being brave enough to create the super-uncomfortable Chin-kee to really hammer his point home.


Question 2: If you could remove one character from the novel, who would it be? How do you think the story would change if you removed this character?

I think I'd remove Peter Garbinsky. I feel bad for the pig-nosed guy, we don't really get to know much about him but what we are shown is not flattering. I hope he's not a real person! LOL. Also, he wouldn't change the story much, which is good, cause I think the story is fine as-is.


Question 3: What did you think of the ending? (Mind-blowing, I know.) Do you think it was an effective conclusion to the story, or that Yang could have tied up some more loose ends?

I actually really liked the ending. It was corny but also cute and I think really solidified it's point. "I came to serve as your conscience - as a signpost to your soul" really sums up what I think the author was hoping this book would do for others.