Thoughts on Abigail Hing Wen's, "Loveboat Taipei"

So I just started reading this new book

Love Boat Taipei

I saw it for free at the library, so technically the version I am reading is not the final copy. I almost didn't pick it up because I have sons not daughters, and I never went on Loveboat, though I did go to Taiwan when I was 14 for Chinese Dulcimer band.. yeah not the same thing, as a friend of mine then later went on the "Loveboat" Tour. I think by the time I was old enough to go they stopped doing that tour.

I thought for some reason Grace had gone on it but turns out she was just going to Taiwan on her own during that time. I picked up as a joke. I figured I could give it to a neighbor. I thought, "This is not my type of book really." and "I might enjoy this book, but really I shouldn't be reading it."


Then I started reading it.

Holy crap this book is awesome.

Why?

To tell the truth I usually shirk away from this sort of Asian American Narrative. ie. the one that does not include Lion Dance, Guan Yu, Gambling, Chinatown.... I don't know stuff I can relate to.


In NJ people often talk about various Chinese School Conferences that happened in Boston and I reflect on the fact that there were the type of Chinese that I hung out with (who didn't see me as Chinese necessarily) and occasionally we would be hired by or work with these other Chinese from the suburbs, who often had a higher number of mixes among them, those guys over there, see them? Say Hi... but that's it.

I also have no idea what it's like to have a Chinese mom. My mom was white.

I also have no idea what it's like to be a young Asian American girl turning into a woman especially one that is Chinese, has parents with accents, and yet doesn't speak Chinese. I mean... that's Grace I guess. But still trying to figure that out.

Basically this book brought all that into this first person world with just a few words. Reading it I'm like in that world and feeling, "Ahh sh.t so this is what this is like."

I mean it would hard to be Chinese without the lion dance, incense, stories, plethora of music and movies to fall back on... I mean f that sh.t.

The only time I had to experience that was when first moving to NJ. And I almost killed myself. And shoot I kept seeing posts about young Asian American girls killing themselves in the town. I mean I didn't, I got through it, but that's as an adult and knowing that other stuff exists out there.

Anyway, don't just think this main character has it easy.  Ever Wong.



At the same time, ( I mean this is all stuff from the first two chapters so whatever to spoilers)... As a parent I would be like, "You're going the doctor route and dance can be your back up. You got the scholarship.. so that's that . duh."

I also feel my dad would have been laid back. Or chiu been. He wouldn't be saying what career I had to do. I seriously doubt it. But that's a whole other story.

My main thing is I think everyone should read this book, because I have a feeling this book is going to make me a better parent. Cause I am struggling with how to not raise.. but be with my kids. Cause I don't really get them. I got them when we were in Boston. We were on the same page. i was taking them to where I grew up. But now... I don't know.

And I'm in between Ever's Parents and Ever. So if there is a gap between me and my kids... imagine that gap between Ever's parents and Ever.

Plus I feel like I am teaching these kids... kids like Ever...

It's like required reading... and I almost put the book back on the shelf.