Beautiful Country: A Memoir by Qian Julie Wang

As a nurse, I’ve always believed that every patient/client has a story and that it’s important to listen to this information when caring for others.  I’ve been blessed to work with individuals and families that have come to Canada as refugees, and new immigrants.  I’ve been humbled by stories of their experiences and by their memories of those they’ve left behind.  A Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang one such story.  It is an emotional and touching memoir that will likely stay with me for quite some time.  It was the “Read With Jenna” selection for September 2021 and I can certainly see why.

Summary

In Chinese, the word America transcribes directly to “Beautiful Country”. Qian describes her arriving in New York City in 1994 with her mother and awaiting father who had gone ahead to find work and a home in which to settle his family.  Both of Qian’s parents were professors in China.  However, the family was considered “illegal” in this new home, creating a world full of fear and poverty for the seven-year old.

The book summarizes the jobs taken by her parents and the world they were building in the U.S.  The challenges of Qian assimilating into a school when she had limited English was well described.  The family was ridiculed by others, had derogatory comments made while in public, and lived in fear of being found out and deported.  The stress of the situation plays out in Qian’s parent’s marriage with her father leaving the household for days at a time.  Her mother becomes extremely ill during these first few years,but the family knows that they cannot afford the cost of health care.   Eventually, Qian’s mother is desperate for pain relief and ends up in hospital causing a great deal of added stress on the family.

Qian’s life is well described leading up to the time she and her mother leave the U.S. for Canada when Qian is in her teens.  The book has a abrupt end with a brief mention of Qian’s life as an adult.

Book Review

I enjoyed reading about the experience of Qian and her family from the perspective of a well-educated family leaving behind the world they knew for a much more difficult time in a new country.  The insight into this family’s world during these years is beautifully written and emotional to read.  In particular, the jobs her parents take to survive in their new home are meaningful to their story.

As an avid reader myself, the passion and importance of books in Qian’s life was heartwarming and joyful to read.  I really enjoyed the description of her visiting a library for the first time.  It was discouraging to read the obvious racism by many of Qian’s fellow students and teacher. This discussion really sets the context for her experience during these years.

I would have liked to have read more about the family’s experience in Canada and in Qian’s college years.  If the author chooses to write about this time in a future book, I will be sure to read it.

What I Liked About Beautiful Country:

• The vivid descriptions of the family’s life during their first few years in New York City.
• The emphasis on the importance of books in Qian’s life
• The well described strength of this family to overcome the barriers presented.

I Recommend This Book To:

I think this is an important read and would encourage everyone to read this book.

My Rating:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Add Beautiful Country to your Goodreads shelf

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to my local library for the loan of this book.

Similar Books I’ve Reviewed:

Notes on a Silencing: A Memoir by Lacy Crawford

When Harry Met Minnie by Martha Teichner

Broken (in the best possible way) by Jenny Lawson

Thank you for reading and supporting my blog.  Do you enjoy Memoirs?  Is there any you would recommend?  Let me know in the comments.

I hope that you have a wonderful day! ☺️