Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City

By: Jane Wong

Narrated by: Jane Wong

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

An Audible Best Memoir Audiobook of 2023

An incandescent, exquisitely written memoir about family, food, girlhood, resistance, and growing up in a Chinese American restaurant on the Jersey shore.

In the late 1980s on the Jersey shore, Jane Wong watches her mother shake ants from an MSG bin behind the family’s Chinese restaurant. She is a hungry daughter frying crab rangoon for lunch, a child sneaking naps on bags of rice, a playful sister scheming to trap her brother in the freezer before he traps her first. She is part of a family staking their claim to the American dream, even as this dream crumbles. Beneath Atlantic City’s promise lies her father’s gambling addiction, an addiction that causes him to disappear for days and ultimately leads to the loss of the restaurant.

In her debut memoir, Wong tells a new story about Atlantic City, one that resists a single identity, a single story, as she writes about making do with what you have―and what you don’t. What does it mean, she asks, to be both tender and angry? What is strength without vulnerability―and humor? Filled with beauty found in unexpected places, Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City is a resounding love song of the Asian American working class, a portrait of how we become who we are, and a story of lyric wisdom to hold and to share.

©2023 Jane Wong. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Jane Wong's soft voice contrasts with the brutal life she faced with her abusive father, an alcoholic gambling addict who put her family in financial jeopardy.… Wong's originality and the beauty of her descriptions remain constants in this memoir as emotions and time periods shift briskly. Humor lightens Wong's anger and angst. Her experiences with racism are powerfully conveyed.”—AudioFile Magazine

“Wong grew up in New Jersey in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the child of Chinese immigrants chasing the American dream.… Wong narrates the recording herself, imparting the nuance and gravitas that can only come from someone intimately familiar with their own words. Her story is beautiful and heartbreaking, interwoven with the theme of love for her mother. The poetic, episodic format may be a challenge for listeners used to a narrative-style memoir, but this is a treat for readers seeking a collage of memories and stories. A uniquely told story full of vibrant characters and heart-wrenching emotion, this is a surefire recommendation.”—Library Journal

"Delightful. . . . With a poet’s ear for language and a satirist’s eye for human foibles, Wong masterfully marries her personal story with larger questions about Chinese American identity. This is a winner."—Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Touching story..

Thank you, Jane, for sharing your story. You pushed through so many difficult experiences and I am proud of you and your family.

Well Written Autobiography

Have read 50-100 biographies and autobiographies, Jane seamless weaves her story as the daughter of Chinese immigrants with her career and development as a poet. For the genre, the book is modern and enjoyable, top 5 for sure. Highly recommend.

Incredibly gorgeous, funny yet unflinchingly honest

It’s poetry, it’s memoir, it’s love letter and a shitty reviewer judging her life own life choices and her work, it’s a crystal clear look into the every day micro aggressions and blatant racist garbage our country hurls into the faces, bodies and souls of asian women (especially). It’s art, it’s song, it’s Dr. Jane Wong, m-fers! Extraordinary read.

Couldn't get into it

I think the story was interesting but it was really hard to pay attention because the narration was very dull. I muddled my way through it, but I have a feeling I didn't register a lot of it because I couldn't pay attention.

Powerful, poetic, profound

Jane Wong’s story, and her telling of it, will stay with you for a long while, sharpening and deepening the way you view the world.

The richness of word choice…

I loved the arc of description of the immigrant in this story… beautifully written (and well narrated) with wonderful empathy. There are elements of the life story of so many (yes, even non-Asian) immigrants wrapped up here - child and parent alike.
Thank you Jane

Poetic Prose from a Preeminent Poet!

Jane Wong’s history as a poet (if you’ve not read her two poetry books, you are denying yourself a treat) shows through in this heartfelt, lyrical memoir. Having her narrate her own work was icing on the icing on the cake. I thoroughly enjoyed this read/listen.

Words dance in a great life story

So well written, Wong’s story comes alive in the cacophonic and musical language and poetic beauty.

Don’t Waste Your Time

Or money on this one. Author has a huge chip on her shoulder. Too many references to horrible white men. Hard to believe she never came in contact with a good white man. Some good poetry but that is it. Wanted to rate lower but the system wouldn’t allow that…odd

Ungrateful

Her life isn't perfect, but her Mom tried the best she could. All first generation Americans, no matter where they came from, have some of the same sad storylines.