Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Aggielife

In her novel "Typical American," Gish Jen perfectly captures the American dream of a single family of Chinese immigrants to the United States.

Ralph (Yifeng) Chang, his sister Theresa and their friend Helen take center stage in this novel. Ralph has come to America to become an engineer and get a tenure track job as a professor, Theresa wants a medical degree and Helen just followed the pair. Together and apart, these three endure depression and insecurity and battle the warring cultures surrounding them. Should they eat anything other than Chinese food in America, even if they ate food other than Chinese in China?

As they try to become financially successful and well-respected in America, their success is more of a roller coaster than an uphill battle. Schemes emerge and are tested. Good luck, bad luck and Chinese versions of American sayings adorn every page - "risk nothing, get nothing," "imagineer," "can-do type." Their uncertainty in their biculturalism combined with the desire to succeed makes the family immanently endearing.

It is the details of this story that make it so excellent. For instance, Jen captures the time period of this story - shortly post-WWII - with precision and beauty. Even the cars in the story are described in detail, like a 1950 Chevy Bel Air Deluxe with butter cream paint and a convertible top. As the reader speeds through the novel, different cars are bought and discarded. Each, described in detail, provides background for the novel. Through these cars, the reader can recognize the time period, the financial success or decline of the family and whether the family remains unified or not. When simple background details effortlessly provide context for the rest of the story, you are reading something by a great writer.

In addition, Jen fills the novel with hilarious anecdotes. What does America look like from a Chinese perspective? For the Changs it's "typical American no-good" and "typical American don't-know-how-to-get-along" - or even better - "typical
American just-want-to-be-in-the-center-of-things." What's so humorous is that these expressions often strike true. As the identity of the Changs begins to assimilate, they begin calling themselves Chang-kees in honor of the Yankees baseball team. Their family motto becomes "once a Chang-kee, always a Chang-kee." With the progression of the novel, the Changs' perspective of the "typical American" evolves and the question arises: have they become typical Americans?

This novel is wry, sharp, dark and humorous. The plot is eloquently sketched and moving, and the writing is crystal clear. Sometimes sharp with poignancy or longing, other times filled with dry humor, still other times with confusion, this novel bares a clarity and sense of purpose that is difficult to encounter. Jen's other novels are equally as dynamic. "Typical American" does not have discernible flaws.

"Typical American" by Gish Jen
Published by Granta, retailing for $13.95

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools