Where the Past Begins by Amy Tan

In Where the Past Begins, Amy Tan offers an intimate look into her life as a writer, exploring the symbiotic relationship between fiction and emotional memory. Through vivid memories, personal journals, and heartbreaking letters, she uncovers the truths that shaped her extraordinary fiction. Tan's journey into her past reveals the idiosyncratic workings of her writer's mind, where memory, imagination, and truth intertwine to create her compelling stories. /n/n Tan's memoir is not just a reflection on her writing process but also a deeply personal exploration of her family history. She delves into shocking truths uncovered by family memorabilia, her complex relationship with her father, and the mysteries surrounding her maternal grandmother. With candor and humor, Tan takes readers on a journey that explores the emotional nucleus of her novels and the experiences that made her a writer.

Reviews

Amanda Roberts Writes · Amanda Roberts · 2025-04-30

intimate 4.00

The memoir stands out for its intimacy, as Tan invites readers into her mind and revises her perceptions. It's a journey that explores the intricacies of memory and imagination.

Amanda Roberts from Amanda Roberts Writes emphasizes the intimacy of Amy Tan's memoir, Where the Past Begins. Roberts appreciates how Tan invites readers into her thought processes, questioning her memories and revising her perceptions. This makes the memoir a unique and personal experience. Roberts also highlights Tan's exploration of the relationship between memory and imagination, which adds depth to the narrative. While Roberts finds the memoir engaging and insightful, she notes that the inclusion of journal entries and emails can sometimes disrupt the flow. Overall, Roberts finds the book to be a compelling exploration of the writer's mind.

Quick quotes

What makes this memoir stand out is its intimacy.

Tan invites readers into her mind as she questions her memories.

The book's exploration of memory and imagination is both fascinating and deeply personal.

The Guardian · Elena Seckar · 2018-01-19

thoughtful 3.50

The memoir is a deep dive into Amy Tan's personal history, particularly her relationship with her mother. It's a poignant exploration of memory and identity, though some may find the pacing uneven.

Elena Seckar from The Guardian highlights how Amy Tan's memoir, Where the Past Begins, is a deeply personal journey that revisits her mother's remarkable life and unearths her own traumatic childhood memories. Seckar praises Tan's ability to weave together her past and present, creating a narrative that is both intimate and universal. However, she notes that the book occasionally loses focus, with some sections feeling disjointed. Despite this, Seckar appreciates the raw honesty and emotional depth that Tan brings to her storytelling, making it a compelling read for those interested in the complexities of family and memory.

Quick quotes

Tan's exploration of her mother's life is both heartbreaking and illuminating.

The memoir's pacing is uneven, with some sections feeling rushed.

Tan's ability to question her own memories and perceptions makes the book uniquely intimate.

Washington Independent Review of Books · Steve Donoghue · 2018-01-19

mixed 3.00

Tan offers compelling reasons for the content she has chosen, but some inclusions, like a series of emails, feel out of place. The memoir is a mix of engaging and disjointed elements.

Steve Donoghue from the Washington Independent Review of Books acknowledges Amy Tan's compelling reasons for the varied content in her memoir, Where the Past Begins. Donoghue appreciates Tan's ability to draw readers into her personal journey, particularly her exploration of memory and identity. However, he finds that some inclusions, such as a long series of emails between Tan and her editor, disrupt the narrative flow. Despite this, Donoghue acknowledges the memoir's engaging aspects, particularly Tan's candid and humorous approach to her life story. He concludes that the book is a mix of compelling and disjointed elements, making it a unique but uneven read.

Quick quotes

Tan offers cogent, even compelling, reasons for the types of content she has chosen.

At least one choice — a long series of emails between her editor and herself — feels out of place.

The memoir is a mix of engaging and disjointed elements.

Appears in Lists

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