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Hapa Girl: A Memoir Paperback – September 19, 2008

by May-lee Chai (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars 12 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 232 pages
  • Publisher: Temple University Press (September 19, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1592136168
  • ISBN-13: 978-1592136162
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,591,515 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsWonderful Love Story of the Struggles of A Multi-Ethnic Family In Rural America
By Black Raven on April 24, 2007
Format: Hardcover
I really found Hapa Girl to be an extremely moving memoir. I related

to so many of the issues this book describes. And I entirely disagree

with the reviewer who said this was *bitter.* I thought the writing was

funny and uplifting despite the many sad episodes that the family had

to endure. Perhaps the reviewer has never had to personally face

prejudice. But if you've been judged by your appearance or faced

bigotry and violence, or even if you simply oppose bigotry, I think

this memoir will resonate with you! I thought the writing was wonderful

and will recommend this to my friends and family. This is a story about

love ultimately triumphing over evil!*

Another one of my favorite book from this author is The Girl from Purple Mountain: Love, Honor, War, and One Family's Journey from China to America
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5.0 out of 5 starsYou need to read this book. It will open your mind
By shchang on April 20, 2016
Format: Paperback
Not only is this book beautifully and compellingly written, it makes poignant and sharp commentary about the positioning of multiracial peoples in the United States. May-lee Chai's powerful testimonial about living as a mixed race girl in 1980s South Dakota is a narrative we don't often hear but one we need to hear a lot more of. Her experience there was far from the fairytale we're often spoon-fed by the media today about multiraciality being "beyond race," post-racial and a symbol of a race carefree future. The fear, pain, confusion, sadness Chai experienced are vital stories that need to part of the larger race conversation. In addition, this book is just superbly penned. Chai's writing style is artistic, compelling, gorgeous. It's hard to stop reading; it's hard to stop learning; it's simply put - hard to put down. You need to read this book, it will expand your thinking and open your mind...
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4.0 out of 5 starsA compelling, unusual story
By K. Hewson on June 13, 2007
Format: Hardcover
I found Hapa Girl to be a compelling story told by an engaging writer. The book just flew by, to the point where I wished it were a little longer. I liked that she told her personal story in the context of her family's history and of American history. Although I've read books about biracial families, immigrants, and small-town racial bigotry before, this story is still unusual and fresh. While she is a talented story teller, my only criticism is that the memoir's narrative arc is inconsistent, and the emphasis seemed to shift throughout the book. I think a longer version to fill in some of the blanks would remedy that.
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5.0 out of 5 starsa personal Heart of Darkness that is at times funny but also painful
By FONG F MEI on December 11, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Powerful memoir of the author's parents--her-Chinese American Dad and Caucasian blonde Mom, as they move from New York to South Dakota and experience shattering racism, a personal Heart of Darkness that is at times funny but also painful. Extremely readable, this is one of those books you motor through at one sitting, going, Wow, wow, wow.
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5.0 out of 5 starsHapa Girl
By Susan E. Fattarini on October 10, 2007
Format: Hardcover
I could not put this book down... it was alive and witty and just plain filled with love of this girls family her mother played a very inportant part in this girls life , maylee since has lost her mother to breast cancer . the story was so wonderful deplicting how a family with different racial backgrounds . Maylee is outspoken and make the book come alife to me . thanks you for the wonderful story of part of my family.. always aunt susan
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5.0 out of 5 starsIntense and didactic
By T. Laurel on April 19, 2007
Format: Hardcover
The emotional journey May Lee Chai must have encountered while writing the

story is intense.

This is about how love will triumph over bigotry.

As a Chinese immigrant myself, I've encounter prejudice. Before picking up

this book without too much expectation, but what happened next was two days

of non-stop reading, I simply couldn't put it down, the pages turned

themselves.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsTrial by Fire

This is a memoir about perseverance and courage, of familial love. Hard to put down except when I read about conflicts and racism the author and family encountered. Read more

Published on November 19, 2013 by Sue Wang
4.0 out of 5 starsHapa Girl

This book was very easy to read. I really enjoyed the story, a view on a tender life that many have experinced. I am glad I read this book.

Published on July 16, 2013 by LISA RIVERA
5.0 out of 5 starsTOUR DE FORCE MEMOIR

I have read all of Chai's books and found each one carefully crafted. Chai is articulate, and her commanding voice has an authority that sweeps the reader up and over the plains of... Read more

Published on March 6, 2008 by Marilyn Krysl
5.0 out of 5 starsLove Trumps Hate

Maylee's gentle mastery at weaving words, memories and strands of her family's struggles into a rich and powerful tapestry of human experience held me captivated; I read her book... Read more

Published on November 23, 2007 by R. Hinkforth
2.0 out of 5 starsself-centered drama

I am sure that Ms. Chai earned an A+ in creative writing class for her novel. I was in school with the author and her brother for a couple of years. Read more

Published on September 10, 2007 by sodaksam
1.0 out of 5 starsFiction?

I grew up in the town depicted in Ms. Chai's book. Vermillion is NOT a town of racial bigotry. We are a typical midwestern town with typical midwestern people. Read more

Published on June 16, 2007 by South Dakota Girl

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