Moon Cakes

by Andrea Louie

More than just a sweet Chinese pastry eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival, a moon cake is a morsel of tradition.... The second daughter of successful Chinese parents, Maya Li grows up in Ohio, raised on equal measures of steamed rice and sliced white bread. Never a stellar student or an ambitious careerist, Maya seems content to stand in the reflected light of her beautiful, talented sister. Now, working in New York City in a series of dead-end jobs,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345385543
• ISBN13: 9780345385543
• Release Date: May 1995
• Publisher: One World
• Length: 332 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Up-and-Coming Author

I am always on the lookout for up-and-coming Asian-American writers and searched high and low for Andrea's first novel after hearing about it from a friend. After reading the book, I thought it was worth every effort in my search for this well written novel. Andrea Louie has the potential to be one of the finest authors in this century if she continues to explore her writing technique and style. I hope to see her blossom in her career and look forward to her future writings.

A good book for people searching for theitr own sense of ide

I first read Moon Cakes several years ago and found it to be a genuine and fascinating novel about a young woman trying to make sence of her own life. This particular young woman was of Chinese decent, I am not, but found that in many ways that the feelings about sense of place and sense of self that permeate this delicate novel are applicable to a wide range of young adults. I agree with the reviewer who wrote that the book helped her through some tough times, because I am finding myself looking for it now when my own life is in transition. It is a wonderfully crafted story whose tone reminds me of Lydia Minatoya's "Talking to High Monks in the Snow". Its one weakenss, I thought, was its "surprise" ending--although perhaps I wasn';t as careful a reader as I should have been. It should still be in print. I look forward to reading more by Andrea Louie.

So wonderfully different

I really enjoyed reading this book. I found it refreshing from the stereotypical Asian American novels. The characters were so complex, yet simple in description. A must read for someone looking for a different Asian Anerican experience.

calls it an intriguing & evocative coming-of-age story

Found a proof copy of this novel at a book fair. Was immediately drawn into the tale by the author's powerful story-telling skills. Andrea Louie, while telling the story (perhaps her own?) of a young woman's struggle to find and define herself in a world vastly different from that she knew growing up in a Chinese-American family, nevertheless reveals a uniquely American sensibility and perspective. Andrea Louie's style differs markedly from that of Amy Tan or Maxine Hong Kingston who relate fantastic stories of ghosts and women warriors from a bygone China. In contrast, Louie's heroine is an average college co-ed who becomes an aimless young adult adrift in New York City and finally a tourist in today's China. It is unfortunate that this now out-of-print novel apparently did not receive the attention and readership it deserved. I would recommend it to anyone interested in an intriguing coming-of-age story about a sensitive young woman's struggle with growing up in America, straddled between two cultures.

Wonderful novel, a must read!

I am so sorry this book is already out of print. This was one of the most beautifully written, engaging novels I have ever experienced. It really helped me get through some tough times. I need to buy my own copy!