46 pages • 1 hour read
Qian Julie WangBeautiful Country: A Memoir
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang narrates her family's journey as they immigrate from China to the United States. As a young girl, Qian endures hardship, poverty, and racism while her highly educated parents work menial jobs with little pay. Despite numerous challenges, Qian's perseverance leads her from New York's public schools to Yale Law School, reclaiming her voice through advocacy and writing a memoir. The book includes accounts of physical abuse.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang is an evocative memoir that captivates with its poignant narrative and exquisite prose. Critics appreciate its honest depiction of immigrant struggles through a child's eyes, though some feel it lacks depth in certain areas. Overall, it is praised for its emotional impact and lyrical storytelling, offering an intimate glimpse into the author's life.
Who Should Read Beautiful Country?
Readers who appreciate heartfelt immigration stories and overcoming adversity will enjoy Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang. Fans of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi will find similar themes of resilience and the search for identity compelling.