The Kitchen God's Wife

The Kitchen God's Wife
By Amy Tan
Ivy Books, 1991. 532 pgs. Fiction

Although this begins and ends among the Chinese Americans in California, the bulk of this story is set in mid-twentieth century China. Winnie tells her life story to her grown daughter—a story of a lonely childhood followed by an arranged marriage to a self-centered, second-rate businessman who lacks integrity and any other value you care to name.

By her own wits and sense of values, her friendships, and more than a bit of luck, Winnie not only survives her marriage and the Japanese bomb raids, but goes on to marry an American soldier, immigrate to the United States and settle in California.

Offering insights into Chinese history and culture this is an inspiring, triumphant story of one woman’s courage.

SML