Comments on: An alternate reality

By: Emily

Emily — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 01:24:26 +0000

I feel that Ma’s sense of obligation to Aunt Paula, as disappointed as she was in Aunt Paula, would have prevented her from leaving the factory or the apartment, or doing anything else that would have angered Aunt Paula. I think it is one of those cultural differences that is hard for us to fathom.

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 04:48:17 +0000

I loved how naive Annette was about the “other” America, because she was portrayed so real, like so many American’s (like me). This book opened my eyes so that I can begin to no longer be an Annette in this world. (Though I’ll still hang on to the really, really good, supportive friend part of Annette.)

BTW, yes, I think Annette’s family could have helped Kimberly and her mom. Because that was the personality of her family. They didn’t send her to private elementary school, they wanted to open her eyes to her neighborhood. Annette’s mom could have helped them to find a suitable home sooner. And could have helped Ma to find a decent job, utilizing her musical skills. Yes, I believe in fairy tales. I think this one would have come true.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:51:14 +0000

Yes, it was like part of Kimberly was living in another world.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:50:20 +0000

Thank you, Jean, for taking the time to read my response to your novel. And congratulations to you on this accomplishment, the publication of your first novel! I look forward to hearing more from you.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:47:43 +0000

Yes indeed. It astounds me what Americans take for granted. Like people who don’t vote. Don’t they know that people in other countries fight and die for the right to vote!

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:17:08 +0000

Excellent post. I too was particularly struck by the moment when Annette finally sees where Kimberly lives. “No one in America lives like this.” “Actually they do.”

By: Jean Kwok

Jean Kwok — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:54:55 +0000

Thank you for this very insightful post. This was a big part of the reason I wrote this book — to talk about worlds that most readers never see. I loved your comments about the different Americas that we all live in, and your thoughts about the immigrants you know and wondering how much of their lives are hidden. If my novel makes more people think likes this, I’ll be very happy.

Best,
Jean Kwok

By: Pamela

Pamela — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:42:22 +0000

I love reading all of the SV Moms Book Club posts, each one so diverse. Mine is very different than yours. I have noticed one trend though, the positive attitude of immigrants. Americans should realize how lucky we really are! We look at something and see the negative in it before we see the positive.

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:28:56 +0000

Thanks so much for stopping by!

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:28:31 +0000

I don’t know how well I put it into worlds, but I am struck by in a country the size of ours, how many little, insular worlds there are that never touch one another.