Anna Qu

Made in China
The author Anna Qu was left to be raised by her grandparents in Wenzhou China while her mother immigrated to New York City to find work. When Anna is five years old, her mother comes back to get her and they reunite in New York with her new husband and a step sister and brother. Her mother has achieved success by marrying the owner of a clothing factory or sweat shop. Her daughter Anna is an embarrassment and in many ways is treated like an outsider rather than a first daughter.
The story is essentially a chronology of the terrible ways her mother treats her until Anna is able to leave the family home for school. Anna is forced to work in the clothing factory while going to school, she has to do all of the household chores, and is left out of family vacations and other activities. Anna sees guidance counsellor at her high school who helps ease some of the mistreatment.
In some ways it’s an interesting story but I grew tired of the continuous whining about her treatment at her mother’s hand. A better explanation of her mother’s own upbringing and her marriage would have provided more insight into why Anna had to endure so much of her hatred and discontent.… (mere)

In this fascinating memoir, author Anna Qu remembers her harrowing childhood as an unwanted Chinese daughter.

As the child of her mother's first marriage, Anna represents a part of her mother's life that the hard-driven immigrant businesswoman would prefer to forget. Her mother's antipathy makes itself known in pointed cruelties, irrational punishments, and neglect. Anna is even forced to work at the family-run garment factory/sweatshop and as a maid in the home. At the age of 15, Anna breaks free of her family's confines and makes a life of her own, but at a steep cost.

Made in China is a beautifully written, compelling memoir that deserves a wide readership.… (mere)