Critique of China Men

China Men: “Mythic History”
As a novel that can be interpreted in myriad ways, China Men remains to impress certain critics for its descriptions of a realistic past and vivid legends that are characteristic of Chinese culture. This “mythic history” has not only captivated Mary Gordon, among others, but also serves as a powerful outlet to expressing the struggles of an entire immigrant community, whose dreams and illusions far surpassed reality. While a few critics find degrading aspects in the depiction of Chinese men, beginning with the novel’s title, it is more often known as a brilliant work that has a “blend of myth, legend and history, [and] a fevered voice, relentless as a truth-seeking child’s” (Gordon 1). In the “New York Times,” Gordon summarizes the novel and praises Kingston for a mastery of the language above all else.
Written at the onset of the 80's, the article is quick to respect the compassion and honestly apparent throughout the novel...