The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts

This book is about the growth of a Chinese girl in America, whose development from girlhood to womanhood is shaped by the stories and voices of her female forebears -- her mother, aunts, and historical and legendary Chinese figures such as Fa Mu Lan and Ts'ai Yen (anyone who's familiar with the original Fa Mu Lan story might find Kingston's version confusing though). The book is no ordinary autobiography as Kingston imaginatively mixes autobiographical details with fictional and imaginative elements to portray her unique experience of growing up as a Chinese American girl/woman. The writer's intention to articulate a voice amid a double-marginalised situation (both racially and sexually) is evident and the book is an essential read for anyone interested in Chinese American literature.

A wonder to behold. This book mixes the autobiographical genre with myth and fantasy, everyday language with elegant prose, humor and tragedy. And perhaps the most amazing thing about it is that for all its assessable literary qualities, The Woman Warrior is a poignant personal story that will touch most readers and stay with them for a long time.