[1] It has been cited as an influence by such authors as Frank Chin and Maxine Hong Kingston. All of our paper waste is recycled within the UK and turned into corrugated cardboard. Numerous references are made to the Asian American soldiers represented by Ben Loy. The narrative then jumps back in time to "several months before the wedding" (15) and continues chronologically from this point on. It starts near the beginning of the time span of the story, depicting Ben Loy and Mei Oi as a married couple sleeping in the "quiet of the early morning" (9). Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Whether it is the beneficial effect of the tea or a change in Ben Loy himself, Ben Loy regains his manhood at the conclusi… Eat a Bowl of Tea is a 1961 novel by Louis Chu. By doing so, Ben Loy regains his masculinity both literally and figuratively. Momentarily he turned from his magazine to the lady...Shapely legs...The well proportioned legs drew his attention and reminded him of one day in Calcutta. Eat a Bowl of Tea is the inaugural book in the University of Washington Press’s Shawn Wong Book Fund, which supports books in Asian American literature and Asian American studies. But Wah Gay and Lee Gong are too embarrassed to remain in the community and leave New York, heading their separate ways in solitude. I guess it's your basic, first generation vs. second generation, moving to America, cultural mix story, but I think this is one of the best. (86). Whether it is the beneficial effect of the tea or a change in Ben Loy himself, Ben Loy regains his manhood at the conclusion of the novel. Publication date 1989 Topics immigration, … I was happy for Ben Loy. That alone should motivate you to buy this book. Mei Oi is from China and therefore is expected to be good, courteous, and understanding; instead she resumes the behavior of a. Ben Loy and Mei Oi are under constant pressure from their parents and society to maintain traditional values while living in contemporary America. But he eventually warms to the idea of bringing a bride with him back to America and raising a family, and he assents to his family's wish. Ben Loy visits another Chinese herb specialist and decides to take the doctor's advice and "eat a bowl of tea" to treat his impotence. [Distance between New York and Sunwei] "...ten thousand folds of mountains away from home" (66). Only a Chinese American could have written a novel of such vigor and authenticity. As the first novel to capture the tone and sensibility of everyday life in an American Chinatown, it is an incisive portrayal of Chinese America on the brink of change. Wah Gay, crazed by the shame this affair has brought upon his family, lurks near the apartment and attacks Ah Song as he leaves, slicing off his ear. His exploration of the effects of exile on the most vital and cherished components of traditional culture is pervaded by … Confused and overpowered, Mei Oi is raped by Ah Song. The first novel to capture the tone and sensibility of everyday life in an American Chinatown, it is an incisive portrayal of Chinese America on the brink of change. It highlights the cause of Ben Loy's impotency and the effect this has on Mei Oi, foreshadowing the deterioration of their relationship. The story of a marriage (and impotence and infidelity) in Chinatown. These men were highly desirable husbands for young women in China, as is seen in Mei Oi's willingness to marry Ben Loy. Author:Chu, Louis. Wacky! The book kind of rattled on for me, a lot of unnecessary characters and drama, but maybe I missed the point. Not my cup of tea, but I found this work of some interest. Other contrasts: Ben Loy visiting a Chinese herb doctor as well as an American doctor; Ben Loy and Mei Oi's marriage being both arranged and mutually chosen. I hated his wife. When he is not busy working at the restaurant (in the fictional suburb of Stanton, Connecticut), he and his roommate Chin Yuen visit white prostitutes in New York City, a habit Ben Loy picked up while serving in the Army during World War II. by Lyle Stuart. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. The tong mocks the family and Mei Oi realizes the magnitude of shame she has brought upon them. Eat a Bowl of Tea remains a groundbreaking and influential work. Eat a Bowl of Tea begins by describing newlyweds Ben Loy and Mei Oi sleeping peacefully in their bed in New York City. The story itself is a snapshot of New York's Chinatown in the late 1940s. He and Wah Gay decide that Ben Loy will go to China and bring back Mei Oi as his bride. To see what your friends thought of this book. Exact words, though, are "wow your mother". This occurs while depicting: Finally, Chu portrays even the most violent and sexual of scenes with beautiful and minimalist description. Another aspect of the novel is the effect of Chinese American men on life back in China. Fax: (206) 543-3932. For much of the read, I had feelings of apprehension; sort of like, "I'm not sure that I'm comfortable with what's going on." Search for Library Items Search for Lists Search for Contacts Search for a Library. The story shows the dynamics between the older the generation and the younger generation and how they have either adapted their beliefs or maintained them. Read for personal and historical research. It was the first Chinese American novel set in Chinese America. Books. Her arrival in New York should be a happy time for Mei Oi, as she is finally able to meet her father and to experience life in a big city. "Constructions of Chinese Identity in, Chua, Cheng Lok; "Golden Mountain: Chinese Versions of the American Dream in, Hsiao, Ruth Y. As big as a boulder" (143). These instances not only give readers the unique chance to assume and create their own details, but also reflect values of politeness and privacy in Chinese culture. The pages of this novel come alive with the maneuvers of the Tong leaders, the colorful visitors to the Money Come mah-jongg clubhouse, and the complex gossip of closely knit Chinatown. Koh's Picks to Celebrate Asian American Voices, 'The Office of Historical Corrections' and the Power of the Short Story. Danielle Evans was just 26 when she released her short story collection Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self in 2010, a multi-award-winning... A compelling story of life in the Chinese-American community of New York City. Free shipping . The story then jumps backwards several months to the "Money Come" gambling house and the men who spend their days there: Wah Gay, Lee Gong, Chong Loo and Ah Song. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published In fact, the conflict of the novel arises from the repeal of the Exclusion Act in 1943, for Mei Oi could not have come to the States before then. The doctor responds, "Eat a bowl of tea and we'll get you on the way to recovery" (244). Beyond the film's discreetly handled sexual subject, there is some mild violence. While the writing is simple in Louis Chu's, I had to read this book for my Asian Pacific American Literature class. World of … There are points in the novel when the reader knows more about a situation or character than anyone in the actual story – this unique situation allows for thorough analysis or characters and the development of suspense. PROBLEM SOLVED!!! [Snow in New York] "White flakes floated down upon the street...like white-grained rice husks flying from the milling closet" (35-6). Refresh and try again. Ben Loy and Mei Oi decide to free themselves of all family and community ties by starting anew in San Francisco. Not a great book, but one that improves the further you read. An interesting and engaging Chinatown drama. The final page roughly reads that Ben manages to get and keep an erection, and then he and his wife have sex. Chinese men who had emigrated to the United States were known as gimshunhocks, or "sojourner in Gold Mountain" from the Chinese name for America. Eat a Bowl of Tea ( 1989) Eat a Bowl of Tea. Eat a Bowl of Tea remains a groundbreaking and influential work. Mei Oi insists that Ben Loy consult a doctor about his impotency – he tries both an American doctor and a Chinese herb specialist, but to no avail. I liked this book. Eat a Bowl of Tea. Although the tea is "thick, black, bitter...[and] not easy to swallow" (246), Ben Loy "kept going back to the herb doctor uncomplainingly" (246). Find books like Eat A Bowl Of Tea from the world’s largest community of readers. Although they made love during their first few weeks of marriage, since their arrival in New York he no longer appears to desire her affection, even when she attempts to arouse him. Mei Oi soon discovers that she is pregnant, but does not know who the father is (since she and Ben Loy had successfully slept together during a visit to Washington, D.C.). Eat a Bowl of Tea by Chu, Louis Paperback Book The Fast Free Shipping. This discontent boils over when Mei Oi has an affair and the community learns of Ben Loy's humiliation.Eat a Bowl of Tea remains a groundbreaking and influential work. "Eating" this tea represents Ben Loy breaking the rules and regulations of Chinese customs[citation needed] – rather than drink the tea, he "eats" it. [Ben Loy's reaction to the prospect of Mei Oi's affair] "The question exploded on Ben Loy like ten thousand firecrackers" (140). The novel takes place in the 1940s, and the majority of the plot takes place in New York's Chinatown. She continues her affair with Ah Song, oblivious to the increasing gossip that she is "knitting Ben Loy a green hat" – sleeping with another man. This chronological order is interrupted only after the first chapter when the text reveals an important memory to the reader, usually triggered by something in the character's present environment. One of my favorite parts of the books was when the men would get together in the clubhouse and say their own version of a "your mom" joke by saying, "wow your mother.". "Filial Duty and Family Survival in, This page was last edited on 9 February 2019, at 06:45. 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