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The Opposite of Fate
The Opposite of Fate: Memories of a Writing Life | Amy Tan
18 posts | 22 read | 28 to read
Delve into the stories from Amy Tan's life that inspired bestselling novels like The Joy Luck Club and The Valley of Amazement Amy Tan has touched millions of readers with haunting and sympathetic novels of cultural complexity and profound empathy. With the same spirit and humor that characterize her acclaimed novels, she now shares her insight into her own life and how she escaped the curses of her past to make a future of her own. She takes us on a journey from her childhood of tragedy and comedy to the present day and her arrival as one of the world's best-loved novelists. Whether recalling arguments with her mother in suburban California or introducing us to the ghosts that inhabit her computer, The Opposite of Fate offers vivid portraits of choices, attitudes, charms, and luck in action--a refreshing antidote to the world-weariness and uncertainties we all face today.
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Centique
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@Rissreads Nerissa! Thank you so much! I couldn‘t help myself, i had to open your gift straight away. It really made my day. I love Amy Tan and this book is all about her life - just perfect for a long time fan like me. And the book bag is so CUTE.
I have sent you something from Readings (a couple of my faves that are on your TBR) so fingers crossed it gets there by Christmas.

Rissreads Yay! It got there in such good time! I‘m glad it made your day. My job is done! ✅ 🤣♥️ 3mo
52 likes1 comment
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BookwormM
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Pickpick

Interesting look at the life of Amy Tan and how family impacted her writing.

Fascinating observations about how readers interpret what writers mean, often incorrectly; how some readers believe writing should be restricted to experience of author; how she defines herself as an American writer while others define her as Asian American and questions why we need these definitions.

Ending with her battle for treatment for Lymes disease.

BarbaraBB I didn‘t know she still writes! 6mo
BookwormM @BarbaraBB this has been on my TBR for quite a while not sure when it was published 6mo
40 likes1 stack add2 comments
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BookwormM
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Before reading this I had never heard of The Rock Bottom Remainders made up of various authors including 2 of my favs Stephen King & Barbara Kingsolver

DivineDiana I actually got to see them perform in Philadelphia! Won tickets on line from Jennifer Weiner who performed with them that night. Amy Tan was there, but sadly not Stephen King. So much fun! 🎶📚👏🏻 6mo
BookwormM @DivineDiana wow I am so jealous 6mo
DivineDiana A wonderful memory. Glad I could share with you! ❤️ 6mo
41 likes3 comments
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Q84
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I read 6 books for #AuthorAMonth

DivineDiana 👏🏻📚👏🏻 3y
41 likes1 comment
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Q84
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Pickpick

Finished this one for #AmyTan #AuthorAMonth which makes 6
Started it at 47% so it was 2hrs 3min for #20in4 #readathon and it makes 7 finished although 2 were started prior.

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Awesome 👏👏👏 3y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads I loved this book too 3y
47 likes2 comments
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Eggs
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I‘ve been enjoying this foray into Tan‘s world and this book is no exception. This one had a nice flow. I love the way she writes about her Mom, Dad, and siblings-these stories are the foundations for her novels. The titles origin is straight from Mom‘s lips - when she said ‘faith‘ and dropped the ‘th‘, Amy heard Fate instead. Highly recommend
#authoramonth2021 @Soubhiville

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
64 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Skygoddess1
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this memoir by Amy Tan that covers her family life and experiences, her writing, the making of The Joy Luck Club and her diagnosis of Lyme Disease. #AuthorAMonth #BookspinBingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
17 likes1 comment
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vlwelser
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Pickpick

Amy Tan is amazing. This is so funny. I was reluctant to read a writing memoir but it was available at the library and I am so glad that I did. It definitely helps that Amy Tan does her own narration on this one. I was laughing out loud quite often.

#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

#BookSpinBingo square 3
@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
40 likes1 comment
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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

Thank you to @Soubhiville for hosting her #AAM challenge ♥️I‘ve discovered some really great books and authors since she began this fun monthly challenge. This memoir/ essays/ musings by Amy Tan was thoughtful and delightful. I was moved by her stories and recollections as well as her insights into a writer‘s process & craft. I hope to pick up The Kitchen God‘s Wife as she claims it‘s her favorite novel she‘s penned.

Soubhiville This sounds good, I‘ll have to look for it. 🙂 3y
Cinfhen It was really good on audio @Soubhiville and it was available on #Hoopla 😍 3y
KathyWheeler Interesting that The Kitchen God‘s Wife is her favorite. It‘s mine too. 😊 I need to read this. 3y
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Erynecki The documentary (on PBS and Netflix) about her is quite interesting 3y
vlwelser She's so funny. I'm enjoying it more than I expected. 3y
Cinfhen I‘m definitely going to look for the documentary @Erynecki thanks for letting me know 🧡 3y
Cinfhen @vlwelser she really is funny 😁 it‘s definitely worth picking up @KathyWheeler especially on audio 🎧♥️ 3y
Megabooks I‘ve checked this out on hoopla! 👍🏻 3y
Cinfhen I think you‘re gonna enjoy it @Megabooks 😘 3y
mrp27 Tan is a favorite author and I loved Kitchen Gods Wife. 3y
Cinfhen I‘ve requested the book from library 📚 @mrp27 excited to read it!! 3y
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Cinfhen
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Amy‘s life was/is BONKERS!!! No question where she borrows her material from!!! I‘m really enjoying her musings/ memories😁 #AAM @Soubhiville

Megabooks Is this hoopla or scribd? You know how I feel about nonfiction!! 🥰 3y
EKonrad There was an American Masters episode about her on PBS a few months ago. Her life has been so interesting! 3y
Cinfhen Hoopla @Megabooks 🙌🏻💕I‘m LOVING her story, which is mostly her mom‘s story too @EKonrad and it‘s incredible. 3y
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Centique I saw her at a writers event about 20 years ago and she was so fascinating talking about her life and her mother‘s. I read everything she writes but haven‘t gotten to this one yet. 3y
Cinfhen So far it‘s wonderful @Centique I especially enjoy her accents/ she seems like a really genuine and gregarious woman 3y
Centique @Cinfhen looks like my library has a copy of the audio so I‘ll put it on hold. 😘 3y
vlwelser I'm listening to this one now. I keep laughing out loud. I love it so far. 3y
Cinfhen Her mom is a superstar @vlwelser when I‘m not speechless and in utter disbelief, then I‘m laughing out loud too!! 3y
Cinfhen Yay @Centique I hope you enjoy as much as I am ♥️ 3y
Reviewsbylola Ooooh this sounds good! 3y
Cinfhen Some essays are better than others @ReviewsbytheMrs but overall it‘s delightful 😍🎧 3y
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Cinfhen
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Giving this a go on audio for #AAM @Soubhiville 🎧🎉I like that Amy Tan narrates her essays/ musings 🤓#Hoopla

63 likes2 stack adds
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CoffeeNBooks
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Eggs Great selection 👏🏻📚👍🏼 3y
58 likes1 comment
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Insightsintobooks
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This is why I don't usually pay full price for ebooks, if I would have just waited a few months I could have saved $9. Plus that's usually a lot for me to spend on something that isn't technically a necessity.... technically because to me books are necessities 😁

#kindledeal #kindledeals #ebooksale

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Insightsintobooks
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Insightsintobooks
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Pickpick

I really liked that this wasn't a traditional memoir, but a collection of writings about different areas and times in her life. I really enjoyed this book.

PenguinInFlight I LOVE Amy Tan. She is one of my absolute favorites. 😍🙌🏻 I‘ve read every book she‘s written...she‘s a huge inspiration to me as a wanna-be writer. 6y
Insightsintobooks @PenguinInFlight She's quickly becoming one of my favorite author's. I agree that she is a great inspiration. 6y
36 likes2 comments
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TheAnitaAlvarez
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Pickpick

Reading this book you get to understand most of the themes in Amy Tan‘s writing and how her literary obsessions were formed. I‘ve always liked how she writes about mothers and daughters. And understanding their work is what I want from writers‘ memoirs, in the end. And also, she was (still is?) in a band with Stephen King and Barbara Kingsolver. And Maya Angelou was an honorary member. You can‘t get cooler than that.
#RoryGilmoresReadingChallenge

KathyWheeler Dave Barry was also in that group — the Rock Bottom Remainders. 6y
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ReadingSusan
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Book haul!!

AshleyHoss820 A Lesson Before Dying is so good! 6y
rubyslippersreads ❤️❤️❤️ Vanity Fair! 6y
CoverToCoverGirl ❤️Vanity Fair 6y
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Suet624 I remember really loving Fall on Your Knees 6y
Lcsmcat I've read (and loved) the top three. 6y
Leigh0906 All the King's Men is fabulous! 6y
dragondrool The Amy Tan book is fabulous. I'm looking forward to her newest later this month. 6y
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Erynecki
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Pickpick

Reading this book on a family camping trip and love it so far! I've laughed out loud and am enjoying the really very personal tone of Tan's memoir.

Texreader @Erynecki I've had this on my shelf for years. Look forward to hearing what you think. 8y
Texreader @Erynecki And the campion looks wonderful! Have a great time! 8y
Erynecki @Texreader finished it! In a way it's more of a collection of essays than a story with a single story arc. I really enjoyed it although the closing essay was my least favorite. 8y
Texreader @Erynecki Not what I expected. Thanks for the headsup!! 8y
5 likes4 comments