Beautiful Country: A Memoir of an Undocumented Childhood is a 2021 memoir by Chinese American lawyer Qian Julie Wang. It was published on September 7, 2021 by Doubleday, an imprint of Penguin Random House. In The New York Times, reviewer Elisabeth Egan described the book as a "powerful story" that "reminds us how lucky we are to have the privileges unlocked by this little blue booklet [United States passport] — and what others risk and endure every day in hopes of getting one too."[1] The book's title derives from the literal translation of the Chinese word for the United States (Chinese: 美国; pinyin: Měiguó), which means "beautiful country".[2]
 First edition | |
| Author | Qian Julie Wang |
|---|---|
| Audio read by | Qian Julie Wang |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Memoir |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
Publication date | September 7, 2021 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover), e-book, audiobook |
| Pages | 320 |
| ISBN | 978-0385547215 (hardcover) |
Synopsis
editIn Beautiful Country, Wang writes about the hardships that she and her parents faced upon their arrival to the United States in 1994, as undocumented immigrants from China. She discusses the numerous challenges she faced of growing up in poverty, and how she emerged from all of it with her dreams intact.
Publication and promotion
editWang wrote the book on her phone during her commute to her law offices, finishing a first draft in 2019.[3]
Beautiful Country was published in hardcover and e-book format on September 7, 2021, by Doubleday, an imprint of Penguin Random House. An audiobook, narrated by Wang, was released the same day.[4]
Wang promoted the book with a series of media appearances, including The Today Show interview by Jenna Bush Hager, who also selected the book as the 'impactful' memoir for September 2021.[5][6] Wang also promoted the book on NPR and at the Chicago Humanities Festival.[7][8][9]
The book debuted at number three on The New York Times nonfiction best-seller list.[10][11]
Reception
editRana Foroohar of the Financial Times wrote that Beautiful Country "shows us how struggle can grind people down, making them as paranoid and cruel to each other as the system is to them."[12] Kaitlin Jefferys of Voice magazine wrote that the memoir leaves readers with a positive message: "cling on to your dreams no matter your circumstances."[13]
In December 2021, former President of the United States Barack Obama included Beautiful Country in his top 13 book recommendations of 2021.[14]
References
edit- ^ Egan, Elizabeth (September 7, 2021). "New to the American Melting Pot, and Finding Its Taste Bittersweet". The New York Times. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "'Beautiful Country,' by Qian Julie Wang: An Excerpt". The New York Times. September 7, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Proudfoot, Jenny (October 7, 2021). "Qian Julie Wang on her undocumented childhood, the salvation of reading and her powerful new memoir". Marie Claire. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Wang, Qian Julie (September 7, 2022). Beautiful Things: A Memoir. Penguin Random House. ISBN 9780385547215. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "'Beautiful Country' author Qian Julie Wang talks to Jenna Bush Hager". The Today Show. September 8, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Larratt, Stephanie (September 8, 2021). "Jenna Bush Hager selects 'impactful' memoir for September 2021 book club pick". The Today Show. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Simon, Scott (September 18, 2021). "Qian Julie Wang Details A Life In 'Hei' In Memoir 'Beautiful Country'". NPR. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Sirkin, Nathan (September 30, 2021). "Bestselling author Qian Julie Wang visits campus, shares her story as an undocumented immigrant". The Columbia Chronicle. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "Read With Jenna: author Qian Julie Wang on worry, her mother's talisman of love". The Today Show. September 30, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Cuevas, Eduardo (December 16, 2021). "Best-selling author decries racism, xenophobia after Larchmont book club event experience". The Journal News. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "Friday Night Salon - Secrets and Lies with Qian Julie Wang author of Beautiful Country". Girls Write Now. December 3, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Foroohar, Rana (September 16, 2022). "Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang — fear and prejudice in Chinatown". The Financial Times. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Jefferys, Kaitlin (October 22, 2022). "Review: Beautiful Country by Julie Qian Wang". Voice Magazine. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Sauer, Megan (December 16, 2021). "Here are Barack Obama's top 13 book recommendations of 2021". CNBC. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
External links
edit- Author's website
- "Qian Julie Wang: Beautiful Country". YouTube. Chicago Humanities Festival. October 7, 2021.
- "Beautiful Country: An Evening with Qian Julie Wang". YouTube. MuseumofCityNY. May 18, 2022; May 9th, 2022, lecture by Qian Julie Wang
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