• Girl in Translation

  • By: Jean Kwok
  • Narrated by: Grayce Wey
  • Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,651 ratings)

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Girl in Translation  By  cover art

Girl in Translation

By: Jean Kwok
Narrated by: Grayce Wey
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Editorial reviews

In this touching and insightful debut novel from Jean Kwok, 11-year-old Kimberly Chang makes us proud to call her a fellow American. Grace Wey’s narration effortlessly carries the abrupt “scene changes” that are a natural part of the life of an immigrant child. Wey takes us from the grassy prep school where Kimberly spends her days to the loud, hot factory where she works every evening with her mother fabric fibers sticking to her sweaty body, hours of homework ahead of her.

When Kimberly is in Chinatown, Kwok translates for us but loosely enough to retain the vivid metaphors of the original language. When Matt, another Chinese boy who works at the factory, invites Kimberly and her mother for an outing to see the “Liberty Goddess”, Mrs. Chang says, “Now I wouldn’t want to be a lightbulb.” Kimberly explains, “Her joke, that she would be there as a chaperone stopping the lovers from kissing because of her presence, like a lightbulb in a darkened room made public my private hope: that Matt’s invitation might actually be a date.” The metaphor itself is so descriptive, and the fact that Kimberly has to translate even for us as listeners reminds us that this young woman gracefully leads a double life.

Much like Chinese characters, where the white space in between the brush strokes holds as much meaning as the bold, black lines, Wey’s precise delivery leaves room for Kimberly’s often unspoken, but deeply felt emotions. Kwok and Wey take us on a ride with Kimberly on Matt’s bike we can feel the wind on her face and Matt’s strong back against her chest. But just as abruptly as we shift from Kimberly’s “white” world to her “Chinese” world, Wey’s voice betrays the tragic sound of Kimberly’s heart shutting off. Too much is at stake.

Girl in Translation is a stunning debut novel that will inspire respect and admiration for families who come to this country to start new lives especially children. The first line of Kwok’s debut novel is meant to describe our heroine. “I was born with a talent.” But this line just as aptly describes the author who also came to this country as a child. Girl in Translation shows the promise of our great country and just what many are willing to give up for it…even true love. Sarah Evans Hogeboom

Publisher's summary

Introducing a fresh, exciting Chinese-American voice, an inspiring debut about an immigrant girl forced to choose between two worlds and two futures.

When Kimberly Chang and her mother emigrate from Hong Kong to Brooklyn squalor, she quickly begins a secret double life: exceptional schoolgirl during the day, Chinatown sweatshop worker in the evenings. Disguising the more difficult truths of her life--like the staggering degree of her poverty, the weight of her family's future resting on her shoulders, or her secret love for a factory boy who shares none of her talent or ambition--Kimberly learns to constantly translate not just her language but herself back and forth between the worlds she straddles.

Through Kimberly's story, author Jean Kwok, who also emigrated from Hong Kong as a young girl, brings to the page the lives of countless immigrants who are caught between the pressure to succeed in America, their duty to their family, and their own personal desires, exposing a world that we rarely hear about. Written in an indelible voice that dramatizes the tensions of an immigrant girl growing up between two cultures, surrounded by a language and world only half understood, Girl in Translation is an unforgettable and classic novel of an American immigrant--a moving tale of hardship and triumph, heartbreak and love, and all that gets lost in translation.

©2010 Jean Kwok (P)2010 Penguin

Critic reviews

"Searing debut novel... poignant." (USA Today)

"Kwok drops you right inside Kimberly's head, adding Chinese idioms to crisp dialogue. And the book's lesson - that every choice comes at the expense of something else - hits home in every language." (People)

"Consistently compelling." (Entertainment Weekly)

What listeners say about Girl in Translation

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beautifully told

loved this story. as a Chinese American I can tell you it is authentic in every way -- the speech. the habits and values, the details of the characters' journeys as immigrants. the narrator also did a superb job.

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Very enjoyable

I enjoyed listening to this book- every minute of it. The narrator did an excellent job capturing the immigrant's Chin-english accent. The story itself is inspiring given that it's based on author's true experience. I am Asian, and I can grasp the subtle (or sometimes not so subtle) references to the Chinese culture. I usually got a kick out of it. I didn't want the book to finish; it was too good.

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Girl Enthralling

A classic read in the order of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Seeing New York through Kim's eyes and her struggles to reconcile Chinese and US sensibilities was a story I could listen to again and again

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my review

it was a good book that shared an amazing story with the reader doing impeccable impressions however close to the end of the book it started acting more like a sope opera rather than a book about moving to America.

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Remarkably Enjoyable

I really love this book!! Also learned a lot about Cantonese culture! Inspirational, Interesting, and Insatiable.

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Girl in translation

I have enjoyed the book tremendously. It actually evoked a lot of my own childhood memories. It’s beautifully written allowing reader to transport into the world of the characters. Thank you.

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Careful Parents

I seldom write reviews and instead let my stars do the talking. However, I must place conditions on my rating. This book is seen through a young Chinese American's eyes and at the beginning appears appropriate for younger readers. This book contains a passionate, impulsive, premarital teen sexual encounter resulting in an unexpected preganancy and a decision about abortion. There is casual necking, petting, lying to parent and a choice by the heroine to use drugs. Although, as an adult I really liked this book and it's thoughtful treatment on many issues... I would certainly not want a younger teen to stumble into this and I would certainly want to discuss with an older teen.

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Outstanding

I average 3 books a week and I rarely post my opinion; both the narration and writing makes this a top notch listen!

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1 person found this helpful

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Fascinating issues surrounding our newest Americans

This novel opens a window to customs, family's values and the struggles many immigrants face coming to American. Extraordinary commitment to the family and focus on long term success while day to day suffering is so difficult to even listen to.

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Wonderful

Although a simple story, the author and narrator captured my interest and kept me entertained until the end. Loved it.

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