"As an Indian-American from an immigrant family, it was exciting to see cultural references common across Asian cultures in a mainstream best seller; we were used to hiding our differences."
Thank you for writing this piece and sharing what the author means to you. Your essay offered insight I hadn't considered before--how much more meaningful a well written story is coming from one's own cultural identity. I'm not Asian American, but am drawn to and appreciate a few writers, such as Tan, who offer a richness behind their characters, influenced by their heritage. Recently, enjoyed books by Ruth Ozecki, Celeste Ng and Jhumpa Lahiri.
Thank you Paula! It’s something you just accept as the way it is and don’t think about it until someone comes in and shakes it up. By the way, I love Jhumpa Lahiri’s short stories.
As someone who reads more than I care to admit, I will have to admit I haven't read Amy Tan's work. However, I will. I will indeed, after your remarkable review. Your words offer enlightenment and should certainly resonate with authors. I hope to come back to your words again. God bless you in all your endeavors.
Hello, Regina, we love connecting with fellow readers :) We're glad this post could remind you of Amy Tan and her work. One of our editors read "The Joy Luck Club" only two years ago, and although it was originally published in 1989, it still feels very fresh and timely. So it's never to late to discover and fall in love with new authors! We hope you enjoy Amy Tan's work!
Ah, wow, that sounds very interesting! We wish you the best as you work your way through the series. Love the idea of a short story series centered around the five stages of grief!
Wow!!! It struck me like lightning to see another Indian author , Amy Tan all in one post when I was scrolling through Substack and when I saw Dandelion as well, I know I have to submit to you guys now!! It’s a sign, one of my favourite authors, another Indian writer and a publication I have been meaning to submit too. Too much of synchronicity in one article!
Thank you, Urmila for your comments! This is the excitement we are trying to achieve. We actually have a few authors of Indian descent in our collections, and their stories cross genres, which we love -- realistic fiction for immigrants, soulful love stories, dystopian future or retelling of Greek myths. We hope you'll submit your own work.
Hi Urmila, yes, that would be completely fine with us--this is for online publishing only. We'll share the pieces on SubStack and in a PDF issue on our website. Thanks!
Beautiful. I think curiosity of other culture and global history is an undertone in many people's psyche. The questions of what's it like "over there", wherever the over there is other than where someone is from.
I find it fascinating how culture intertwines and is so relatable, yet, so different. And yes, food has a way to pull me in. It's such a primal aspect of all of our lives no matter where, or when, we came from.
Thanks so much for reading and your feedback. I forgot to mention Amy Tan's book had me craving for dumplings; I later heard her interview where she said how she loved to eat while writing. So, I always thought that was awesome - hunger in the writer creates hunger in the reader ;-)
Yeah, food. Taste. One of the hardest things to write on...taste...its like what we hear...that is also hard, if not impossible to describe. And I mean sounds in general...like food is so relative in human experience and to talk about a particular flavor can bring a reasonable comparison. This then leaves for a reader to connect with. It's brilliant of what is, not written, that evokes relatability organically. Cheers, and again, what an excellent read.
We completely agree--it's so interesting how different yet the same culture can be. Reading diverse stories is such a great connector, it reminds us how universal this experience of life is. Thank you for reading and commenting, Jake, we are glad you enjoyed this piece!
Thank you for writing this piece and sharing what the author means to you. Your essay offered insight I hadn't considered before--how much more meaningful a well written story is coming from one's own cultural identity. I'm not Asian American, but am drawn to and appreciate a few writers, such as Tan, who offer a richness behind their characters, influenced by their heritage. Recently, enjoyed books by Ruth Ozecki, Celeste Ng and Jhumpa Lahiri.
Thank you Paula! It’s something you just accept as the way it is and don’t think about it until someone comes in and shakes it up. By the way, I love Jhumpa Lahiri’s short stories.
As someone who reads more than I care to admit, I will have to admit I haven't read Amy Tan's work. However, I will. I will indeed, after your remarkable review. Your words offer enlightenment and should certainly resonate with authors. I hope to come back to your words again. God bless you in all your endeavors.
Hello, Regina, we love connecting with fellow readers :) We're glad this post could remind you of Amy Tan and her work. One of our editors read "The Joy Luck Club" only two years ago, and although it was originally published in 1989, it still feels very fresh and timely. So it's never to late to discover and fall in love with new authors! We hope you enjoy Amy Tan's work!
I just started a short story series about the five stages of soup (grief) intensely inspired by stone soup and Amy Tan.
Ah, wow, that sounds very interesting! We wish you the best as you work your way through the series. Love the idea of a short story series centered around the five stages of grief!
Wow!!! It struck me like lightning to see another Indian author , Amy Tan all in one post when I was scrolling through Substack and when I saw Dandelion as well, I know I have to submit to you guys now!! It’s a sign, one of my favourite authors, another Indian writer and a publication I have been meaning to submit too. Too much of synchronicity in one article!
One more comment to thank you for your enthusiasm and you made our day. This is our "why" we write and uplift other writers.
Thank you for doing what you do! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🌸✨
Thank you, Urmila for your comments! This is the excitement we are trying to achieve. We actually have a few authors of Indian descent in our collections, and their stories cross genres, which we love -- realistic fiction for immigrants, soulful love stories, dystopian future or retelling of Greek myths. We hope you'll submit your own work.
I have couple of pieces I feel are aligned to your submission. Would you accept one’s that have been published in my Substack?
Hi Urmila, yes, that would be completely fine with us--this is for online publishing only. We'll share the pieces on SubStack and in a PDF issue on our website. Thanks!
Beautiful. I think curiosity of other culture and global history is an undertone in many people's psyche. The questions of what's it like "over there", wherever the over there is other than where someone is from.
I find it fascinating how culture intertwines and is so relatable, yet, so different. And yes, food has a way to pull me in. It's such a primal aspect of all of our lives no matter where, or when, we came from.
Excellent writing ✌️✌️
Thanks so much for reading and your feedback. I forgot to mention Amy Tan's book had me craving for dumplings; I later heard her interview where she said how she loved to eat while writing. So, I always thought that was awesome - hunger in the writer creates hunger in the reader ;-)
Yeah, food. Taste. One of the hardest things to write on...taste...its like what we hear...that is also hard, if not impossible to describe. And I mean sounds in general...like food is so relative in human experience and to talk about a particular flavor can bring a reasonable comparison. This then leaves for a reader to connect with. It's brilliant of what is, not written, that evokes relatability organically. Cheers, and again, what an excellent read.
We completely agree--it's so interesting how different yet the same culture can be. Reading diverse stories is such a great connector, it reminds us how universal this experience of life is. Thank you for reading and commenting, Jake, we are glad you enjoyed this piece!