.Virtual Book Club

The Joy Luck Club

by Amy Tan

From the publisher's website: 

In 1949 four Chinese women, recent immigrants to San Francisco, begin meeting to eat dim sum, play mahjong, and talk. United in shared unspeakable loss and hope, they call themselves the Joy Luck Club. With wit and sensitivity, Amy Tan’s debut novel—now widely regarded as a modern classic—examines the sometimes painful, often tender, and always deep connection between these four women and their American-born daughters.

USF Libraries holds physical copies of the audio book, feature film based on the book, and the play based on the book. Visit our stacks, or request the items via Interlibrary Loan!

*** WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD! ***

Each week, VBC discusses sections of the book together. Below is a collection of weekly discussion questions posed by VBC leadership and members. Be aware that these likely include spoilers, so please do not scroll further if you have not read the book.

Week 1: Orientation meeting

• Judge a book by its cover! What does this cover make you think/how does it make you feel? Have you seen other covers? If so, how do those speak to you?
• Without sharing spoilers! - Have you seen the movie version? What did you think?
• Is it okay to have secrets in a family? Are some secrets more okay than others?
• What is “the American dream”? What does it mean to you?
• Do you believe in astrology? If so, what type? What impact does this belief have on how you live your life?
• What role do folktales play in society? In your family or culture? Share any favorites.

Week 2: Feathers from a Thousand Li Away

Week 3: The Twenty-Six Malignant Gates

Week 4: American Translation

Week 5: Queen Mother of the Western Skies