Where the Past Begins

A Writer's Memoir

De: Amy Tan

Narrado por: Amy Tan, Daniel Halpern

Where the Past Begins has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.

Gripping Memoir

I attended a talk by Amy Tan when she was promoting her first book. I enjoyed her talk and reading that book. I put her on my list of authors to follow. Since that time, I have read all her books and make a point of attending her talks whenever she is in my area.

This book is a memoir of her life to-date. She traces her family history through photographs. Tan describes her skill of nature drawings and compares that creativity to her writing. She discusses her mother’s mental illness and its effect on her and the rest of her family. The main topic of the book is about writing and creativity. Tan discusses a collection of letters between herself and her editor, Daniel Halpern. She provides in-sights on writing. She brings out what it takes to be a professional writer. Tan is a gifted storyteller. I enjoy learning about authors and how they write.

The book is fourteen and a half hours long. Amy Tan narrated her own book. It is great to hear the author read their book.

excellent book

 Listening to Amy Tan’s narration made me feel present, with her, on so many occasions. Her writing is both evocative and revelatory when it comes to her life, her history and the things that shaped her. An in turn, her books have shaped me, and will continue to shape me in years to come. I love her books and this one was especially

Easy Listen

I was touched by Tan's homage to her mother and her respect for ancestry. Well written. Well performed.

Loved it

My father's struggles and her mother's struggles were slightly similar. My father is from Shanghai n fled prior to Communist rule. He also left his children behind but often sent money to them after settling in San Francisco. He spoke Shanghainese, Mandarin and English fluently. I remember him going to San Francisco Chinatown on a daily basis and he would speak English to communicate with the shopkeepers and market people. I don't know much about my father's life in China but I am grateful he had the opportunity to return in 1972 to see his children and homeland for the last time.he died 5 years later. Thank you for the exploration through your family history. A well narrated book by the Amy Tan. I will continue to read anything you write.

Wonderful story

I enjoyed every moment of this book especially with Ms. Tan’s narration. It is a glimpse into her life, how she writes and the gifts she gives her audiences. Thank-you for the great journey!