My Thanks to Amy Tan

A film that introduced me to the subject of Chinese culture some years ago was Oliver Stone's production of "The Joy Luck Club."  The film itself was based upon the novel by author Amy Tan.  As I look back on my life journey, I see this now as the beginning of many wonderful things for me.  I owe Amy Tan my thanks for her literary work, which continues to reach millions of people around the world.  I have also discovered that Tan has put much of herself into her novels.  This is especially true regarding the challenges of the "Chinese" experience in the Western world.

Amy Tan was born in Oakland, California.  Both of her parents were Chinese immigrants.  Her father was a man by the name of John Tan.  He was an electrical engineer and also a Baptist clergyman.  He came to America to escape the turmoil of the Chinese Civil War between the Nationalists and Communists.  Amy's mother, Daisy, inspired Tan's novel "The Kitchen God's Wife" due to her difficult early life back in China.  Back then, Daisy had divorced an abusive husband.  However, she also lost custody of her three daughters.  She was forced to leave China without them as she escaped on the last boat to leave Shanghai right before the Communist victory in 1949.  Even so, her marriage to John did produce three children in all:  Amy and two brothers.

Throughout her adult life, Amy Tan had a somewhat strained relationship with her mother.  This began to occur after tragedy struck their family.  Her father, John, and an older brother both died of brain cancer within a year of each other.  Amy's mother had a plan for her daughter's life which Amy did not follow.  So for a time Amy and her mother could not even speak to each other.  I find that Amy Tan's novels are a unique insight into many of the problems that immigrant families face when trying to make a new home for themselves in America.  The blessing of being Chinese can present many difficulties, but every problem can be resolved with time, patience, and love.  Amy Tan's excellent stories always portray the hardships, but they likewise present the joys of living too.  If you have not yet read Amy Tan, pick up a copy of "The Joy Luck Club" or "The Kitchen God's Wife" today.  You will be glad you did.  May good luck and much joy be yours!

Best regards from your friend,

Harlan Urwiler

For more information, feel free to visit my website at:  http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.