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Beautiful Country Qian Julie Wang

Beautiful Country By Qian Julie Wang

Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang


€37.99
Condition - Very Good
Only 2 left

Beautiful Country Summary

Beautiful Country: A Memoir of An Undocumented Childhood by Qian Julie Wang

A SCORCHING, POWERFUL NEW MEMOIR OF AN UNDOCUMENTED CHILDHOOD

'Hunger was a constant, reliable friend in Mei Guo. She came second only to loneliness.'

When 7-year old Qian moves to Mei Guo with her mother she doesn't know what to expect from the place, otherwise known as America, that translates to 'Beautiful Country'. In China she was the daughter of Professors, a popular student leading a comfortable middle-class life. In America she simply does not exist.

This is the story of a childhood spent in extreme poverty as an undocumented Chinese immigrant in Brooklyn. From manual labour in a sushi factory to learning English in elementary school, the days spent scavenging the neighbourhood for furniture to emergency treatment in hospital, Qian Julie Wang's memoir is an unforgettable account of what it means to live under the perpetual threat of deportation, where being seen is an act of danger. Told from a child's perspective, in a voice that is intimate, poignant and startlingly lyrical, Beautiful Country is the story of a girl who learns to first live - and then escape - an invisible life.

Beautiful Country Reviews

A story that needs to be heard. Moving, beautiful, heartbreaking and even funny . . . I never wanted it to end -- Philippa Perry
Deeply compelling . . . I was moved by the love and resilience of this family thrust into darkness. The book casts an urgent light on a reality that extends way beyond America's borders -- Hisham Matar, author of The Return
A powerful, gripping insight into the world of an undocumented migrant in New York . . . beautifully written, with vivid scenes that linger in the mind long after finishing it -- Helena Merriman
Sharply observed . . . Wang's story leaves the reader wishing that wanting a better future, and working hard for it, wasn't illegal in a country that has been built on the back of immigrants * FT *
Astonishing . . . In restrained but beautiful prose, Wang honours her family's sacrifices, but alerts us to the urgent realisation that they should not be necessary -- Nesrine Malik
Intricate and penetrating . . . a beautiful and hopeful read that also underlines what can truly happen to people who are simply seeking refuge * Stylist, an Unmissable Memoir for Summer 2021 *
The must-read book of 2021 * Marie Claire *
This beautifully expressed memoir of the immigrant experience charts her parents' struggles to survive as illegals in New York while their daughter battles hunger and loneliness at school, and is all the more moving for being related from a child's point of view * The Bookseller, Editor's Choice *
A vital and unforgettable read * Refinery29 *
A heart-wrenching and intimate account of life under the ever-present threat of deportation * Woman's Own Magazine *
Heart-wrenching . . . A memoir about resilience and overcoming the odds, about finding the small moments of joys which punctuate even the grimmest of childhoods * Bad Form *
Consider this remarkable memoir a new classic * Publishers Weekly, Starred Review *
A potent testament to the love, curiosity, grit, and hope of a courageous and resourceful immigrant child. Engaging readers through all five senses and the heart, Wang's debut memoir is a critical addition to the literature on immigration as well as the timeless category of childhood memoir * Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review *
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
Powerful . . . A haunting memoir of people and places that will stay with readers long after the last page * Library Journal *

About Qian Julie Wang

Qian Julie Wang is a graduate of Yale Law School and Swarthmore College and is managing partner of a law firm dedicated to advocating for education, disability, and civil rights. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times and the Washington Post, among other major U.S. publications. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their two rescue dogs. Beautiful Country is her first book.

Additional information

GOR012205514
9780241514726
024151472X
Beautiful Country: A Memoir of An Undocumented Childhood by Qian Julie Wang
Used - Very Good
Paperback
Penguin Books Ltd
2021-09-30
320
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - Beautiful Country