Reviews
Pacific Book Review
This exceedingly well-written and heartfelt memoir will appeal to many audiences. Its cosmopolitan widely inclusive sweep embraces the author’s years in Illinois, Los Angeles and in her native Taiwan, where she raised a family, was a successful businesswoman, and a very adept writer. Fay Chou, a star student of literature and highly skilled narrator, gets to flex her writerly gifts in this personal, family and cultural history that brings to life Chinese-American history here and abroad.
The book’s praises cannot be sung too highly! This memoir, which includes chilling accounts of the Sino-Japanese War, and more even-handed ones of Chairman Mao’s Cultural Revolution, benefits from the author’s inherent graciousness and tendency to understand and somewhat forgive the trepidations of history. In her capable hands, the broad sweep of historical change is married to the rise and fall of individual lives. Readers interested in the emerging importance of China in the modern world will find this ring-side-seat absolutely fascinating. American readers who cannot trace their origin back to the Mayflower (that would include most of us!) will likewise find this memoir moving and informative. Books like this help us appreciate the ‘One from Column A, One from Column B’ mix of diversity that has made and continues to make this country great.
The anecdotes in Memoir of Half a Banana are plentiful and scrumptious. The writing is playful, humorous, and extremely inventive. Clearly, Ms. Chou, as an entrepreneur, mother, wife and gifted writer, has lived a very full life. Its breadth and compass are evident throughout. Sidelights on business conflicts, loyalty concerns, and even Buddhism make this book much more than a collection of anecdotes. We get to follow the progress of the author’s children Heather and Owen as they navigate the path of second-generation Chinese-American citizenry. Caring for her aging father and working for a Buddhist organization, Chou’s generosity and largesse of spirit are profoundly human.
Memoir of Half a Banana is a cohesive tapestry knit by a woman making ultimate sense of her origins, her life, and her work. Beyond that, the author’s spirit – an old soul, commenting wisely and serenely on a life lived well, a life lived modestly, and humbly – will be an inspiration to readers of all ages. Fay Chou’s abiding interest in the paranormal and in sources of spiritual and emotional energy are reflected in her passion for the discipline of Qigong.
Memoir of Half a Banana is a charming and exemplary memoir. It brings together the threads of at least two cultures – one 5000 years old, the other contemporary – and their impassioned and beautiful offspring.
Review Link: https://www.pacificbookreview.com/memoir-of-half-a-banana/
The US Review of Books
Book review by R. J. Johnson
“Looking back on my life, I have had to adapt to my surroundings many times.”
This is a good read for anyone inspired by perseverance. Chou was born in Taiwan, moved to the United States as a kid, returned to Taiwan in time to prepare for grueling exams, attended National Taiwan University, and returned to the United States for
graduate school and beyond. The memoir’s journey also spans the Chinese Civil War, Sino-Japanese War, and World War II, reflecting on how catastrophic events impacted one woman’s life and family. Chou remembers, in vivid detail, the courtyard of her childhood. She remembers the traditional joy of making dumplings and the kindness of those who helped her learn English. Her story reminds readers of their shared humanity.
The author describes memories and impressions in a gentle, matter-of-fact tone that is comforting to read, an invitation to dream with a wise woman. For instance, she endearingly tells about her mother in a way that is never pretentious. Her stories offer generous detail, and there is a motivational nobility and steadfastness in her voice. Chou doesn’t dwell on the struggles. Instead, she provides stories that teach keen observation and the use of a discerning mind.
This memoir shows readers a solid character who has a good financial head. She is organized in her principles about hard work and life’s joys. She shares challenges without being consumed by setbacks. When Chou discusses working in Chinese restaurants, and all that taught her, the reader gains a sense of perseverance. When she describes enduring debilitating bouts with hay fever, one gains a sense of stoicism. Chou’s story can help guide others who face financial and material hardships. Her curiosity and sense of humor can make readers feel contentment regardless of their cultural background.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
AMAZON REVIEWS
Hong-Sheng Teng
A wonderful memoir!
The book touches both of my heart and my wife’s. We shared quite a lot common experience as first generation immigrants in facing the similar challenges, financial difficulties, cultural differences, and next generation education. The book is beautifully written and easy to read. It brings us back to our old days, bitter and sweet.
One of the benefits we got from the book is educating our children. From time to time we would talk to our children about our own culture, traditions, and how hard we struggled when we first came to the United States. Most of time, they did not like to listen. So, we recommended the book to them. Not only they found it interesting, but improved their understanding about their parents.
Constance Woods
Who am I?
Who am I ? It is a question we all ask ourselves.This book opens the reader’s eyes to the dynamics of a Chinese family. The back ground of war and escape to Taiwan, is important historically and socially for Taiwan. Finally,Fay Chou’s examination of herself and her family help us understand contemporary Chinese American life.
GOODREADS REVIEWS
Nyla Christensen
This is one of the most outstanding books I have read. The way this woman writes her vivid memories of her life. Absolutely wonderful.
This story is about Chinese people. It highlights people in different scenarios, with different lives, and in different environments. It’s about what it means to be human with different cultures.
It takes you on a journey around the world not physically, but emotionally; it travels through space and bodies, and talks about taboo subjects that you can’t even imagine. This is a piece of art!
There’s no page in this book that you would’ntwouldn’t want to savor because the way the author described the intricate details of death, love, endings and new beginnings in biting humor made me feel as if we are having a conversation with the author over a cup of tea. For example: “Birth, aging, sickness, and death are just part of life; we all have to die someday. By showing your pain and suffering, you’re teaching us the last lesson of life with your life.”
You can learn a lesson from almost every chapter; you can be in the body (and somehow even the mind) of different people struggling with their problems, creating others, trying to fix the unfixable, or trying to keep the precious moments in their lives.
You learn that actions have consequences; that when you change things, you must assume the responsibility for doing so. You get glimpses into the head of so many people, and at the end of the day, not only learn a thing or two from it, but you can become a better person.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants an engaging and thought-provoking read.
Ava WILLIAMS
“The sun was bright, the air was warm, and the afternoon was peaceful and lazy with the sound of cicadas. Having just finished their lunch, the adults retreated to the guest house to resume their game of mahjong. The main house and the big, walled-in yard were empty once more. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves. Under the trees, the dense shade was cool and inviting. After putting some candy and crackers in a small basket, the little girl went exploring in the yard again.”
Another in my fifty-two- books Around the World Challenge, Memoir of Half a Banana is the kind of book I have been hoping to read. Ms. Fay Chou grew up in Taiwan, the opening lines in the book taking place in Taiwan, an island province of China. There is such a sense of place in this memoir; you can see it, smell it, taste it. And be horrified by it. And be in awe of it.
And yet, it is not only about Taiwan. It is about a young girl living, coming of age, and finding out where she belongs. I love taking notes when I read books, especially nonfiction works, and I took SO many notes as I was reading this book. I’ve never read anything that dives so deep on the Asian American experience, and I’m glad a book like this has FINALLY been published.
Filled with Chinese family traditions and American Chinese cultures, this book is compelling and, beautifully written. As a reader, one cannot help but be in awe of her Fay Chou’s honesty, strength, and ability to inspire, to teach, to shake us up, bring us together, and maybe even change the way we see each other.
I recommend this book without exception.
Barbara Hernandez
I especially appreciate books that help me see the world differently, whether they are mysteries, literary fiction, vampires, or nonfiction. When they are as thoughtful and engaging as this one, I have found a treasure.
As a born and bred American and having lived here my entire life, I can only imagine what emigrating from another country must be like. It makes me wonder how I would deal with the language barrier, the differences in culture and tradition, observing and obeying the laws of the land, and that of a society different from the one I came from. But Fay Chou makes my imagination come alive in this novel with well-written and carefully chosen words that make you feel a part of the story.
Memoir of Half a Banana is a beautifully written story that reminds its readers of the importance of appreciating different cultures. I was fortunate enough to learn about this book while taking a Children’s Literature class over the summer. I loved the author’s life story and her style of writing, so I finished it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down.
As a teacher, that is a feeling I want my students to have when they read for pleasure. Since this is a book I enjoyed reading, I hope by sharing it with other readers (young or old), they will experience the same joy that this story brings.
Emmalee Cross
If nothing else, it will cause a reaction. Most books are a monologue. The author is telling you something, and you listen. Fay Chou’s book is so engaging and touches on so many sensitive subjects that it’s more like a dialogue between author and reader. And I use the word dialogue, literally. During this book, I found myself audibly voicing my opinions on the page like a crazy person. My husband would ask me what I was saying, and I’d tell him, “I’m not talking to you, I’m talking to the book!” Sometimes I agreed with Chou. Sometimes I didn’t.
This book was amazing on so many levels.
The writing was excellent, and so was the organization. I find that non-fiction books often err on the side of being either informative but too dry or engaging but also too sensationalist/one-sided. This book was neither. The story was gripping, and so was the background (and Chou did a great job of interspersing the two so as to build tension, and so that neither aspect of the book ever got boring). Fay Chou has clearly done her research, and I felt like I learned a great deal from the Chinese people.
This was recommended to me in a cultural literacy course, and it certainly delivered.
Drake Wade
Written down to precise perfection, Fay Chou’s memoir about her journey in the United States and Taiwan is rich and intense.
I underlined and dog-eared a page in every chapter of this book. It’s been essential to my well-being in the past month. Is it pretentious to say that? I’m saying it. This was an uplifting book for me. I read it at a time when I didn’t know how much I needed it, but I did, and it delivered.
Below are a few examples:
“The bridges I crossed outnumber the roads you have ever walked on,”
“Ultimate joy will produce sadness” and “When done to the extreme, the opposite will happen”
“You are a housewife. Now be something else!”
“When things are not level, they make a sound,”
“To be taken advantage of is in fact gaining advantage.”
This was a special memoir. I can tell that Ms. Chou loves Taiwan and the United States, the history of the land and people, its cultures, and traditions. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and recommend it for not only its historical content, but for its loving tale of family, country, sorrows, joys, and hopes. The title is aptly named as the author considered herself a banana, yellow on the outside but a bit white on the inside. It was a pleasure to read.
German Elliot
I loved this book, and I don’t know why it took me so long to read it – maybe because I knew I would find a lot to relate to. It was nice to read the experiences of someone who has been through so many of the same things I have, but on another level, it was painful to read through some of those experiences again.
Fay tells her story like she is looking back through an old family scrapbook and narrating about each of the photos found in those memories. She brings people and places long gone back into the present for a moment. Her detail and descriptions are so vivid that I can picture those times and reflect along with her. The tone in which she talks about hard work, loss, and forgiveness helps to see where that well of compassion springs from. The Second Sino-Japanese War, discrimination, life status, two cultures are all talked about through the eyes of a young woman growing up. I look forward to reading more.
My favorite quote:
“Youth is beautiful in itself,” she said. “Even the ugliest people look pretty when they smile.” I think this qoute reminds us that it is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.
I truly recommend this memoir to those who are interested in the lives of Chinese people.
Patricia Allen
The title itself is a catchy one; however, I must add that it is an important book. There are so many aspects of this memoir that I value.
As an avid reader, it often surprises people when they learn that I rarely re-read books. I know that a lot of people find great enjoyment from repeat readings, discovering new layers to the story, and gaining a better understanding of the book. I look at it a bit differently. There are so many wonderful books out there, and I’ll never read them all. Usually, when I choose to re-read a book, I feel like I’m wasting time that could be devoted to reading a new one.
My reason for sharing this is to inform you that I have read Memoir of Half a Banana not once, not twice, but three times! There is no stronger endorsement I can give. Fay Chou takes risks with her writing, and I found myself marveling at her bravery. It’s always risky to deviate from standard writing format. Some people can be put off immediately, but I found it charming.
So, if you are interested in China, and reading about the strength and power that people have in the most difficult times, then this is a book you would not put down. Read this!
Linda Young
This is one of my top-ten favorite memoir books of all time. It’s a compelling memoir, well-written, poignant, but not maudlin. I’ve read it twice and feel another reread coming on.
The ingredients necessary for a great memoir are all present. The reader is transported back in time. I felt as if I were in Taiwan, experiencing Fay’s life for myself. She doesn’t shy away from showing her family for who they are, warts and all.
The book cycles from heartbreaking episodes to moments of crystal-clear beauty and life-affirming incidents. It’s a sensual book, her sharp prose conjuring up the sights and smells of the Taiwan countryside so vividly that I missed it when the book was over. Hence the duplicate readings.
You will not expect the ending or the logic of family behavior. There are no “cute” bits, and even the occasional softening of some parts have a range of payoffs. A fiction writer could not have written this book. Read it as a story, and you’ll see a book that needed to be written. Read it as a bio, and you’ll see a story that can barely fit into the book. Fay Chou did a good job of making this tale comprehensible, and she deserves credit for that.
Charles Jones
I enjoyed this book. Fay Chou’s life and growing up experiences were so different than my own; it was fascinating for me to read about her.
I feel that Fay Chou has exposed her soul to us, sharing thoughts and experiences that many of us would find unlikely to confess even to ourselves. How can we, as simple readers who haven’t experienced 10% of what she has been through, write a text saying, ”this is good” or ”this is bad”? I was touched by her story, and I was convinced of the inadequacy of our progressive era. Once again, I understood how difficult it is for us to be different.
This is not an overly intellectual book, but it’s a smart one and requires focus. I love writing that demands this. Here is a book that feels no need to dumb it down for anyone; it asks for your attention and gets it, and I became addicted to that feeling of thinking about only what Fay Chou was saying, and not the million other things that tend to crowd my mind.
There is much to be learned from her story, which she has written with stunning clarity and purpose. I originally bought this book for my sister, and now I have come to love it as my own.
Truly glad to have read this book.
Marvin Robinsons
Memoir of Half a Banana must be one of the most interesting memoirs I’ve read. I wasn’t too sure what to expect going into it, but I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I loved how it explored so many aspects of humanity, how we look at others, and what makes us who we are. We got to delve into the lives of Chinese people in such an intimate way, and it was fantastic. I picked this up on a total whim, and I’m so happy that I did.
If I had any complaints, it would be some of the dialogue feels a bit stilted and artificial, but that is perhaps to be expected as it is primarily included as a means of delivering exposition rather than as an authentic account of actual conversations.
The sad truth is that I know nothing about the difference between American and Chinese culture or life being an American Chinese. I still have many questions, but that is no fault of this book, which gives a clear-eyed view of the world hidden behind modern prejudice.
Every aspect of this book was thought-provoking, heartbreaking sometimes, and so incredibly captivating that I found myself completely unwilling to put it down.
Mary Hall
Everyone loves a good story, and writer Fay Chou’s material is the best, East-to-West story that you can’t put down. Some writers may have a more polished style, but Fay Chou’s compelling story more than makes up for it.
First, the language is beautiful and lyrical while staying accessible to middle-grade readers. The themes and metaphors are complex enough to engage YA and adult readers. The plot flows nicely and doesn’t have any of the narrative hiccups that verse memoir is prone to.
The most important element of this memoir is that it shows the conflicts that many Americans have only seen one side of, . This would be a great companion read for middle and high school students learning about the differences between Chinese and American cultures.
The amazing thing about family histories is that they follow one story, so you learn about history through a focused lens. Stories are the most powerful tools of retelling history.
Fay Chou is a gifted and talented writer with a great capacity for detail. This will become one of my favorite memoirs, and one that I cannot praise enough. I highly recommend it!
Christopher Brown
Well-written, fascinating, and emotional. At first, the structure is somewhat confusing, especially the first few chapters,; I kept losing track of what year it was and how old the author was at that point. But after a while, I settled right in. I was sad when the book ended; it’s been a long time since I enjoyed a book that much.
Memoir of Half a Banana is also a wonderful history book. There’s much background about the Chinese people going back centuries and recent history. It made me sympathize with the difficulties of the immigrant experience, especially for those who settle in a place so different from their homeland.
I learned so much about the Chinese traditions; I knew little before reading this book, and what I knew contained some inaccuracies or at least a lack of context. As I was reading, I was struck by how cultural differences can hinder communications if they’re not acknowledged and attempts made to bridge the gap. This is a great book to read if you want to understand people who are different from you.
Highly recommended. Memoir-lovers; : check this one out!
Maximus Coleman
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a wonderful look into historical time. It is well-written, sincere, and honest. I loved it because my thoughts are the same as hers, I guess.
This is not stuff you speed-read past. Slow down, take a sip from whatever you’re drinking. Maybe read that paragraph again. Make sure there are no visions left behind. The language is a major part of the great value here. The other is the content of the story.
“When you gain something, you are bound to lose something else. When you lose something, you are bound to gain something else.” .’ I believe my children are my gains.
The cadence-style of the writing keeps you looking for the next thing. She didn’t burden her stories with unnecessary detail and seemed to know when to cut it short, only to bring to light a detail somewhere else in the book. Excellent reading, she makes herself to be a likable person.
Overall, her insights are valuable; her story is full of grace and courage. I bought the book to pass it on to another reader, but I am telling others to buy their own copies because the book is worth it!
I encourage you to read it; I’ll read it again!
Phillip Hinton
Fay Chou has a way of recounting her journey being a Chinese American. They come out more like works of art than books. Reading them is an experience of its own, like dancing, but instead of your hands being on hips, they’re on the cover of a book.
Memoir of Half a Banana begins with Fay Chou’s childhood as a little girl in the big yard. As she grows up, she faces many challenges and heartaches.
Fay is intelligent, and loving and caring to her family, friends, and strangers. She wrote with such a great dry-wit and ease. She discusses a lot of behind the scenes most of us did not know. The historical facts were fun to learn also. After reading this, I hope to become more aware of people in need and be more understanding of those people and causes.
It became clear to me early on while reading this memoir that it was going to be a beautiful read. From cover to cover, Fay’s personal and deeply touching story is a delight to read. I closed the book with a smile on my face and sadness that it was the end.
Highly recommended!
Lea Benton
My life is happy with having read this beautiful memoir.
I’m always suspicious when someone says a book is “indispensable.” People do it all the time, but Memoir of Half a Banana is indispensable. Especially to Americans and other Westerners, where decent people of all faiths have a moral imperative to do everything possible to head off the epic clash of civilizations that so many people seem determined to push us into. We must find ways to understand each other better. Memoir of Half a Banana is a good place to start.
From the first page, I loved the story of her life. She grew up at the same time I did, and her descriptions of those years are dead on. Tears often came to my eyes in the first dozen and a half pages because I was moved as she described the lives of her family. She is grateful for everything she has in her life. The language of the book is easy to read, and I believe they will evoke other readers emotionally.
Poignant and warm, this memoir is a blend of the best and the worst of East and West.
Aileen Kerr
What makes us who we are?
That is the question at the heart of this memoir, which tells a thoughtful, touching story that will surprise readers with its sentient literary style and gentle feeling.
I love this woman – I mean the author – she is so smart and open. She talks about so many things with conviction, but without trying to make you believe the things she does, she gives you the good and the bad in all situations, and I must confess that reading this book felt good.
And because I don’t know in how many other words to tell you that I loved this book to pieces, I will end on a nice note:
“I once told my mother that having been a VIP all her life, perhaps she is spoiled. Whenever she gets impatient in the bank or the doctor’s office, I would tell her that waiting in line for our turn is the norm; that is how the world works”
I’ll always turn back to this story.
Bottom line – read it. You’ll get swept up in the family’s story and learn some fascinating parts of China history while you’re at it.
John Smith
I wish I could give this book more than five stars. I have read many books about China by other authors because I have a passion for Chinese history, language, and culture, and this was my first exposure to this author’s life.
In this memoir, Fay Chou reflects on her life. She is an incredible woman, in my opinion, and it’s been great reading her journey. I think memoirs help put life into perspective. I went through a whole range of emotions while reading this, and I think that’s what makes a book great. By the time she moved to the United States, it felt like she’s already lived several lives. Throughout this book, you can see her bravery, courage, and determination. The writing in Memoir of Half a Banana doesn’t come across as your typical memoir, and I found that refreshing.
Since I enjoy works by Chinese and Indian authors a great deal, I’ve given it some thought. Despite and decided there despite the drastic differences;, I find a core that connects me to writers from those cultures. Fay Chou’s work is an example of that accessibility.
Wade Hayes
A well-written memoir that was fascinating if only because the author is exactly my age, born the year I was born, and lived a life so different from my own. As she described each stage of her upbringing, I found myself thinking about what I had been doing at that same age and marveling that the two of us could possibly have occupied the same world at the same time. I envy her when I should probably not — her life was not easy, but it had been rich with experiences. The other reason I enjoyed this book was the sometimes startlingly candid and dispassionate voice of the narration.
There’s a lot of beauty in this prose, even the most terrible parts of her story she details beautifully. Her style shows a restraint that I fully appreciate (others may find it disquieting). She unflinchingly describes her life and does not apologize for it nor cheapen it by gaudily harping on lessons she has learned. She gives the reader credit for figuring it out. Sometimes quite funny. In the end, uplifting and powerful.
Must-read. You will learn something!
Brooke Frye
Few books have left an imprint on my life; this is one of those.
Fay Chou’s writing is refreshing and crisp, and it makes for easy and quick reading. As well as that, the plot is brilliant, and the pacing is perfect. The historical events are well-researched, and the book ends with a bang.
There are also references regarding morality, and even Christian beliefs are discussed. Every scene has its own emotion; every person in this book gives you something to think about.
Memoir of Half a Banana is a book to savor and experience. Each voice continues to hit me, the more I think about the story. A book filled with war, love, loss, friendship, traditions, culture, family, communication, and the bonds that tie us together. We all have full days, but I hope you take the time to enjoy this memoir of Fay Chou’s.
I highly recommend it; this story will be one of those memories that stick with you.
Brian Williams
I read an article by a book reviewer a little while ago in which they talked about how sick they were of “growing up in fill-in-the-blank” books and wished people would be more original. I think that’s incredibly misguided. Growing up isn’t a cliché; it’s something that happens that’s important. So, people are going to write about it, and it’s good for them.
They don’t usually write about it this well, though. This is one of those books that tops out on many different levels. The language is beautiful, the dialogue is great, and the people come alive for you, it’s educational, it’s sad, and it deals with the subject of entrenched racism incredibly well by telling the truth about what people did without forcing a political point.
A well-written memoir. The author did an excellent job of plucking out the most memorable moments to produce a flowing narrative.
Recommended.
