⋙ Read The Opposite of Fate Memories of a Writing Life Amy Tan 9780142004890 Books

The Opposite of Fate Memories of a Writing Life Amy Tan 9780142004890 Books

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The Opposite of Fate Memories of a Writing Life Amy Tan 9780142004890 Books

Amy Tan would say that her novels are her emotional memories, but not an accounting of historical facts. She is a story teller, and one of the best. I was particularly interested in her experience as a writer and the details of how that has played out in her life. Anyone who is interested in what it is like to be a successful writer will want to read this book. Joy Luck Club, Tan's first book, hit the best seller list within two weeks of its release. Not only that, but the book is still a very active seller almost 30 years after its release. We wonder how that can happen and what is the secret of her success. Tan was a successful copy writer for firms like AT&T and Bank of America before she began to write fiction. Her ability is evident when reading this book or her novels. She is witty and knows how to tell and good story and keep the reader engaged.
In this book, Tan goes back to her childhood and recounts her love of books and stories and how a trip to the library was a favored and regular experience. Diving into fiction was something that she loved to do. It is not surprising that someone who loved stories would eventually write her own. And she had stories to tell, with a life full of craziness, tragedy and highly unique experiences.
What does the life of a successful fiction writer look like from the inside? This book answers that question. It was exactly what I was looking for.


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The Opposite of Fate Memories of a Writing Life Amy Tan 9780142004890 Books Reviews

A very gratifying book about a favorite author's life and tribulations, her early memories, the way fame affected her life and her long time fight with Lyme disease. In spite of being repetitious, because the book is a compilation of overlapping short articles written for different venues, I still enjoyed it very much.
If you have been wondering what Amy Tan has been up to, here are all the parts she is willing to share. It's not a chronological autobiography, but a series of chapters, stories, and texts from presentations. So, there is a little of her personal life; a little about the writing; and some of the interesting bits about her public life that you may have missed. For example, did you know she was in a rock band called the Remainders? She also writes about her struggle with getting treatment for diagnosis and treatment for lime disease, which will be very informative to others who may have an undiagnosed health issue or may be getting treatment they feel is not working.

I wish her all the best and hope that her health will allow her to continue writing.
I had seen this listed many years ago and had not purchased it thinking that a "dry" non-fiction would not interest me. Boy was I wrong!
This book is a wonderful compilation of Amy's life, challenges, and opinions, including some insightful thoughts on how critics may unwittingly manipulate book markets, authors and other critics. I found it gave me great insight into the whole publishing world, the author as a person, and as a writer. It gave me a much deeper appreciation of her and her work. I highly recommend it. It provides a "taste" of all her other works. It would be a great "starter" book to build onto.
I've ordered the Joy Luck Club which was the only one I had ever skipped over as I had already seen the movie. Silly me! I'm very much looking forward to it.
One could almost compare this one to Stephen King 's "On Writing" although Amy, of course, is obsessed with her mommy. Still, she's an incredibly insightful and witty writer, and this memoir is no exception. Less mommy and more other good stuff would work for me...but...thumbs up. I'd really like to give her an extra half * for being a common-sense, regular girl! Love the way she reacts to the politically correct critics who tell her "Oh, you mustn't depict any poverty in China," and "Oh, you must present Chinese men only as positive, wholesome role models!" and "Oh, what else will you teach us about Chinese culture?" Amy says in response that she's an AMERICAN writer and--in much politer words--tells them to take their political correctness and stuff it. Good for her! She's a writer who does her best to seek truths.
Wonderful book. Amy Tan's description of her efforts to have Lyme Disease diagnosed saved me. I knew I was sick but did not know what was wrong with me. As I read her description of symptoms, it clicked. I took her advice and had a Doctor who was open to his patient's experiences send a blood specimen to the tick born disease specialty laboratory in California. I was diagnosed and treated according to the guidelines of Lyme Disease experts. As I hear of others who had to suffer for years without getting a diagnosis and who now suffer from disease not treated in time, I can only give thanks to Amy Tan and the Grace that guided me to this book.
It has been years since I read my first Amy Tan book. I have had a couple of tough years and have again found solace in books. I bought and downloaded this one and several others but didn't get to it for some period of time. Maybe that was fate as she mentions. It has been a great distraction for me in my current state of health. It has been fascinating to hear her very personal thoughts on the events of her life. Her directness has been wonderful to read. I had the sense that she was sitting here sharing her life experiences with me. They have put some perspective into mine for which I am very grateful. I do wonder at what she shares and how many people's stories I have learned of through many years, especially women's stories, how common all of her seemingly extraordinary life events are. At least it is possibly her talent in how she writes them that gives me a feeling of the commonalities people live through. For she does have a great talent and ability to share them in such a way that I could easily relate to her feelings about events such that the commonality may be more of how people interpret events than the actual events themselves. I love that she is brave enough to share how vulnerable we all are in this life; that she has been able to show the possibility of successfully navigating through life's events even with depression. Her sharing has left with me a renewed sense of hope. A desire to be stronger and more resilient. This is a very worthwhile read.
Amy Tan would say that her novels are her emotional memories, but not an accounting of historical facts. She is a story teller, and one of the best. I was particularly interested in her experience as a writer and the details of how that has played out in her life. Anyone who is interested in what it is like to be a successful writer will want to read this book. Joy Luck Club, Tan's first book, hit the best seller list within two weeks of its release. Not only that, but the book is still a very active seller almost 30 years after its release. We wonder how that can happen and what is the secret of her success. Tan was a successful copy writer for firms like AT&T and Bank of America before she began to write fiction. Her ability is evident when reading this book or her novels. She is witty and knows how to tell and good story and keep the reader engaged.
In this book, Tan goes back to her childhood and recounts her love of books and stories and how a trip to the library was a favored and regular experience. Diving into fiction was something that she loved to do. It is not surprising that someone who loved stories would eventually write her own. And she had stories to tell, with a life full of craziness, tragedy and highly unique experiences.
What does the life of a successful fiction writer look like from the inside? This book answers that question. It was exactly what I was looking for.