Gish Jen's autobiographical Bad Bad Girl is a singular intergenerational novel. Jen's act of imaginative, empathetic storytelling is inspired by the author's complex, frequently antagonistic, relationship with her mother, who immigrated from China in the 1940s. Jen (The Resisters; Thank You Mr. Nixon) re-creates her mother's childhood as a privileged girl in pre-Revolutionary China, her solitary journey to pursue her graduate studies in the United States, and her subsequent life there. It's a story both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Jen skillfully navigates the cultural misalignments, the sacrifices, and fierce determination that characterized her mother's life, and later her father's, as an immigrant. In this extraordinary portrayal, Jen grapples with the reasons for her mother's abuse and favoritism, seeking clarification and offering parallels between their lives. The title itself, Bad Bad Girl, is the phrase Jen's mother often used in reference to her daughter.
The conversations feel strikingly authentic, capturing the rhythm and tone of mother-daughter dynamics. Jen movingly transforms what could have been a straightforward reconstruction of events into a vibrant, ongoing dialogue across time and mortality. Jen's prose is precise, elegant, and often witty. She has a remarkable ability to distill complex emotions and experiences into clear, evocative language. The historical context of Jen's family's journey is seamlessly integrated, providing a dynamic backdrop without ever overwhelming the personal narrative. Bad Bad Girl is a powerful reminder that while death may silence voices, it cannot extinguish the conversations that continue in our hearts and minds. This book is imperative for anyone interested in immigrant experiences, the complexities of family, and the art of writing personal history. --Elizabeth DeNoma, executive editor, DeNoma Literary Services, Seattle, Wash.