Banana Boys

By Terry Woo

Book Overview

What is the nature of Banana? To Luke, Dave, Mike, and Sheldon, it's a curious predicament brought on by upbringing -- growing up yellow on the outside, white on the inside. They're together to pay... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1896332218
• ISBN13: 9781896332215
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: Cormorant Books
• Length: 380 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.0" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Understanding the Chinese American Male

I wanted to understand how Chinese American Males feel and think about their asian culture. Do they embrace or tried to break away. And this book offered interesting experiences with each of the character. I can easily identify why the characters in the book make the choice to define their role living as a ABC. We all want to make a mark in this World and this is what the stories is all about.

A good first novel

Ah the plight of the Canadian Born Chinese (CBC) male who lives between two worlds. He envies the Chinese FOBs (Fresh Off the Boat) who all seem to have a lot of money and the latest fashions. He envies Asian women of any birth right who seem to only date white men. Can he get no respect? One would be tempted to call this the Asian Male Joy Luck Club but that comparison might make the author have fits.The author does seem to dwell a little over much on white men/asian women coupling and seems to think the readers cares to hear time and time again what the author's favorite beer and favorite bands are. Once you get past that, it's ultimately offering a fresh, funny perspective and worth the read.

Most engaging book in years

I'm the type to read 2 or 3 novels in a year. They usually take a lot of time and effort to get through. Getting throught the almost 400 pages of Banana Boys though, took almost a week and a half; and I couldn't read fast enough. Each of the 5 main characters is a foil of modern Asian Canadian angst. At the same time each character's story animates the larger narrative. This story is not just for Bananas - yellow on the outside, white in the middle. This book is for everyone searching to find out how they and their peers are melting into the modern Canadian mosaic. Highly recommended reading.