Amy Tan is a master storyteller, and she truly knows how to captivate her readers.

This particular short story of hers had me completely engaged from start to finish. The way she weaves the plot, develops the characters, and creates a vivid atmosphere is truly remarkable.

I found myself completely immersed in the story, eagerly turning each page to see what would happen next. It was a delightful read that left me craving more.

In fact, I wish this story was longer. I wanted to spend more time with the characters, explore their lives and emotions in greater depth.

Amy Tan has a unique talent for creating stories that resonate with readers on a deep level, and this short story is no exception. I can't wait to read more of her work and see what other wonderful stories she has to tell.

4.5/5 ☆ THE KITCHEN GOD'S WIFE is an overwhelming and beautiful novel that will always hold a special place in my heart.

Trigger warning: this book contains an abusive relationship and rape.

I began this novel with no expectations, but right from the start, I knew it would be unforgettable. The story is told in alternating POVs. It starts with Pearl, sharing her current situations, and then shifts to Winnie, Pearl's mom, revealing to her daughter what happened in the past. Most of the story follows Winnie, but at the very end, we return to the present and Pearl's POV.

The characters and situations were extremely relatable. At first, it felt as if it were my own mom sharing her life story with me. I could see parallels between my life and the characters', making everything more real and, consequently, the story more impactful. Both my parents are from Shanghai, China, and since Winnie begins her story there, it was like seeing things through my parents' eyes. There were often references in Shanghainese and Mandarin Chinese that made me nostalgic for my childhood and home. It seemed that Pearl wasn't initially very proud of her Chinese background, which is how I sometimes felt. This story made me appreciate my roots and culture; it allowed me to understand the hardships my mom/parents endured for me to have a better life in America. Thanks to reading this book, I feel a stronger connection with my elders, and I'm forever grateful for that.

Moving on to the story itself, the plot is incredibly intricate and intense. It's truly unexpected and indescribable. As I mentioned earlier, there's an abusive relationship in the novel, and this book really showcases what it means to be in such a relationship. I've read other novels that touch on this topic, but I didn't fully understand until reading this one. I truly felt for the characters, and I'll admit that at times it was difficult for me to read. If you want to gain an understanding of such situations, read this book.

However, what I love most is that the novel isn't just "a book with an abusive relationship" because it's so much more than that. It's about finding hope, understanding friendships, and learning the meaning of family. It encompasses all these things and more. Amy Tan's writing is also beautiful; she couldn't have told this story better.

The one complaint I have is that it was a slow read. Maybe it was because I was in a reading slump, but it took me longer than usual to finish. However, that doesn't mean I wasn't engaged with the story and its characters.

All in all, I loved THE KITCHEN GOD'S WIFE despite its tough topics and slow pacing. Even though I've never faced situations as dire as the characters, everything was scarily relatable and realistic. I think everyone should give this book a chance because the message is so powerful. This is the kind of book I'd want my daughters and sons to read, and their children as well.

I absolutely adore the remarkable way in which Amy Tan skillfully intertwines multiple story lines within her books.

At first glance, it appears that the tale predominantly centers on Pearl, the daughter of a Chinese immigrant. She has assimilated into the modern American culture and often finds her mother, Winnie, annoying and old-fashioned. However, as the reader delves deeper and becomes familiar with Pearl, the story gracefully turns back to Winnie and her childhood friend Helen.

Winnie's story is a complex tapestry of sadness and beauty. Her intense suffering and arduous struggles to break free from an abusive husband who has held her captive for half her life are both emotionally moving and deeply profound. Tan's rich and descriptive writing style is filled with hidden meanings that add depth and nuance to the narrative.

I was pleasantly surprised to find myself laughing quite often throughout the story, despite its intense nature. As always, the author provides us with a profound and insightful look into the often ugly reality of life. One of my favorite lines, found on page 352, states, "The society is like bright pain applied on top of a rotten wood." This line made me pause, reflect, and truly absorb the wisdom within her words.

Tan is a master at crafting tales with imperfect characters, many of whom have what could be considered "rotten bases." Their struggles to improve and move forward, however, make the story even more vivid and intense. In this case, we witness the harsh reality of Pearl's life in wartime China, where she had little say in her own destiny. The male-dominated culture only served to exacerbate her hardships, making her life at times almost unbearable to read about. But I persisted, because good books are not always pretty.

This was a truly good and powerful read. I must caution readers that they may become angry at the bad men in Pearl's life, but her struggles never dimmed her vibrant personality or her big heart, which she has maintained to this day. I firmly believe that Tan's books not only entertain but also teach us a great deal. They show us how much harsher life was in the past and remind us of the ongoing struggles that women face, regardless of their roles as wives, daughters, or best friends. Deep down, we are all strong, our stories are beautiful, and although life may never be fair, we must always strive to fight for it.

When we encounter Winnie Louie, she appears to be a typical Chinese wife, governing her family with a blend of love and superstition. Currently widowed, she still holds dear the memory of her husband, Jimmie Louie, and frets over her two adult children, especially her daughter Pearl. Winnie harbors secrets that she has concealed since her youthful days in China, secrets she desires to share with Pearl yet is too afraid to do so.

Pearl Louie, now in her forties, also has her own secrets. She has just received a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and is aware that her mother will question what she has done to bring about Pearl's illness. The majority of the novel then shifts to Winnie's narration and the account of her life in China. After her mother's passing, she is dispatched to live with relatives but subsequently makes a dreadful error that will inundate her life with pain and suffering. Her story is both tragic and heart-wrenching to read.

I initially read this book upon its first publication in 1995 but found that I could recall nothing about it. Amy Tan accomplishes a remarkable feat in making her characters realistic, and every word uttered by Winnie seems plausible. The first section was a bit sluggish, but once we journey back to China with Winnie, I was completely engrossed. It features several subplots, all of which are captivating. The characters are complex, and the relationships among the women are particularly perceptive. Although some of the scenes are tragic, I am glad to have had the opportunity to read this novel once again.

Oh.

I could truly linger in this book for an incredibly long time.

I relished and savored every single sentence with great delight.

The beauty within its pages is simply enchanting.

It is a truly pleasant to read, artful, and expertly crafted novel.

It delves deep into the theme of families, exploring the secrets that we hold dear with the intention of safeguarding the ones we love.

However, it also uncovers the consequences that often follow those actions.

If you haven't yet had the pleasure of reading this remarkable book, you simply must.

It has the power to touch your heart, make you think, and leave a lasting impression.

Don't miss out on this literary gem.

Amy Tan is a remarkable author who delves deep into the lives of complex women, and this is precisely one of the aspects that I adore about her literary works. In her stories, the men often seem to be mere shadows, almost underdeveloped, lacking a significant presence except when they exhibit cruelty and pose threats.

I discovered this closed women's world to be wonderfully refreshing, especially after having perused numerous books where men take center stage. For instance, in The Godfather, Mario Puzo briefly ventures into Mama Corleone's perspective, just long enough to disclose that the wife of the mafia don might not concern herself with her husband's violent realm. She simply didn't care. After all, men seldom bothered with women's issues. They inhabited two distinct worlds, and this segregated view reminded me of Winnie, the principal protagonist in The Kitchen God's Wife. Winnie is so distant from her cruel husband that she isn't even certain if Wen Fu is a gangster, and Tan refrains from confirming it. After all, it isn't crucial. The main emphasis is entirely on the women.

Moreover, the women in Tan's books are vividly brought to life. Winnie and Helen, in particular, come alive on the pages. By the conclusion of the book, I felt as if I knew them extremely well. Their personalities and voices are so robust that I can still envision them engaging in friendly bickering.

They are also friends – true friends who both resent and care deeply for each other. They even engage in trash-talking, yet they remain steadfastly together. I found this push and pull to be incredibly realistic. There is always a hint of one-upmanship among friends, and Tan is acutely aware of this. You desire good things for your friends, but you never wish for them to be too successful or too happy. It's akin to sibling rivalry. LOL

Another outstanding character is Auntie Du, an older woman without a husband (he has passed away) and without financial means. She can't even write. However, she emerges as this delightful hero whom I longed to embrace. In a society that undervalues widows and spinsters, I adored the fact that she saves the day without seeking any credit. What a remarkable character!

As with all of Tan's books, I am enamored with her simple yet lyrical prose and the plethora of details she incorporates about China before and after the war. Tan transports you to a different world and a distinct culture, yet makes it familiar by introducing you to these captivating and flawed women. The love and pain they experience are universal, and I found myself profoundly moved at the end, reflecting on the friends and family within my own women's world.

Nevertheless, this book does have its drawbacks. There are certain slow parts, and Winnie's daughter Pearl is definitely not as captivating as her mother (although I did find her relationship with her mother poignant). Wen Fu, Winnie's husband, is almost overly cruel, bordering on inhuman. He is such a monstrous character that I truly despised him, which is, of course, a positive trait for a villain. But like all of Tan's male characters, he is a shadow, extremely evil, yet a shadow nonetheless. I also felt that Tan revealed too much of the ending in the beginning when Pearl is narrating her story. Having Winnie go back and explain how events led to her current situation, when the reader already knows the outcome, diminishes a great deal of the suspense.

Nonetheless, overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you have never read a Tan book before, you will be instantly whisked away to a new world. And if you have read her other works, you will undoubtedly recognize many of the same themes and character types that she typically explores.

I award The Kitchen God's Wife **** ½.

It is indeed a great book!

I'm an ardent fan of Amy Tan, and this work doesn't disappoint in the slightest.

It commences from the perspective of the adult daughter, Pearl. One can observe that she and her mother, Winnie, grapple to understand and accept each other in the contemporary era.

Subsequently, Winnie invites Pearl over to disclose to her all the secrets of her life in China that she has shared with no one else except her best friend from China, Helen.

Winnie endured the war in China and narrowly escaped her terrifying marriage to a psychopath.

In the end, both Pearl and the reader gain a far deeper understanding of why Winnie is the way she is. I initially disliked her but ultimately came to admire her for her strength and courage.

This story beautifully explores the complex relationship between a mother and daughter, and the power of revealing one's past to heal and connect.

Winnie is facing a difficult situation. She is being extorted to disclose all the secrets of her life to her daughter. If she fails to do so in a timely manner, her best friend Helen will take over. This is the starting point of Tan's exploration into the complex relationship between mothers and daughters through the revelation of a catastrophic past.

In "The Kitchen God's Wife," Tan narrows the focus to Winnie, whose life was filled with hardships. She was the daughter of a "Double Second" wife to a wealthy Chinese businessman, but her life soon took a turn for the worse when she had to rely on distant relatives. World War II further complicated her life, forcing her to make sacrifices and face difficult choices.

By concentrating on one woman and one historical saga, Tan showcases her talent for depth and detail. The characters in the story come alive through their actions, inactions, words, and silences. It is a well-rounded story that humanizes in unexpected ways. However, the daughter, Pearl, who is at the center of the drama, is often sidelined, which is a pity.

And now I have to stop. Because every time I remember this, I have to cry a little by myself. I don't know why something that made me so happy then feels so sad now. Maybe that is the way it is with the best memories.



Despite this minor flaw, "The Kitchen God's Wife" is a substantial tale told by a very talented author.

I read this when it first came out. I was quite sure that I had written a review about it. But looking back now, I'm not so certain.

All these years later, it still holds a lasting and wonderful reading impression for me. The rich and diverse culture depicted within its pages is truly captivating. The complex web of relationships, filled with both struggles and deep love, adds a layer of authenticity that makes it impossible to put down.

And let's not forget about the foods! They are described in such vivid detail that they seem to leap off the page and tantalize your taste buds. Every bite is like a delicious adventure. It's no wonder that this piece has stayed with me for so long. It's a true gem that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great read.

I really, really loved this.

The whole story is about a mom sharing her life experiences back in China with her daughter.

It felt exactly like when my own mom tells me stories of her life in China.

There was an abundance of grief and trauma in the story, which is precisely what I adore in a book.

It made me feel so deeply connected to both the characters and the experiences they went through.

Now, I'm definitely going to read more of Amy Tan's works.

Bye bye for now, as I embark on this new literary journey.

I can't wait to explore more of the rich and emotional worlds that she creates.

Her writing has truly touched my heart and I'm excited to see what else she has in store for me.

This is one hell of a read.

It offers such an in-depth insight into the Chinese culture and customs. What may seem ridiculously funny and crazy to us is actually something that we must respect their beliefs about.

The story of Winnie's life in China circa the second world war is painfully sad. She was trapped in a marriage to an extremely cruel man, in a culture where women were second class citizens.

The domestic violence in the story is not gratuitous; it is vital to the narrative. Winnie, now an American citizen, is telling her grown-up daughter with whom she has a tense relationship.

In spite of the sometimes painful reading, this is beautifully written. It is an engrossing read and delightfully funny in parts.

Overall, it is a book that combines elements of culture, history, and human relationships in a captivating way. It makes the reader reflect on the differences and similarities between different cultures and the importance of understanding and respecting them.

Whether you are interested in Chinese culture or simply looking for a good read, this book is definitely worth checking out.

The Kitchen God is widely recognized in traditional Chinese culture. However, his wife is often overlooked. She undertakes all the household chores and endures all the hardships of life, yet she is never recognized as a deity.

The relationship between Chinese-American mother and daughter, Pearl and Winnie, is somewhat strained. They come from different generations. The Americanized younger generation does not abide by the delicate rules of social interactions. As a result, they have poor communication with the elders in the family. Secrets from the past remain deeply hidden.

Amy Tan, with her remarkable story-telling ability, explores the distant and long-ago times of the old country - pre-Revolutionary China. It is a journey that should not be missed. Her works vividly depict the cultural differences and family relationships between the two generations, allowing readers to have a deeper understanding and reflection on these issues.