Cultural Gatekeeping and the Limits of Representation

The stories of mothers and daughters trying to connect with each other, across time, space and generations – this is the centerpiece of Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club. This week, Andrew Limboong and B. A. Parker are joined by NPR’s The Indicator’s Wailin Wong to discuss how the desperation to bridge the divide between parent and child continues to be present in stories of immigrant families today. We are also joined by Jessamine Chan to discuss parenting in this present moment.


Wailin’s Recommendation: ‘The Fox Wife’ by Yangsze Choo

Parker’s Recommendation: ‘Beloved’ by Toni Morrison

Andrew’s Recommendation: ‘Afterparties: Stories’ by Anthony Veasna So


To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy