December 2020: The Fortunes

• Did you enjoy the book set up?

• Did the four stories make sense together?

• What did they say about Chinese American culture and identity over time?

• How familiar were you with Chinese immigration during the 1840s before reading "Gold"?

• How do Ling's realizations about America differ or resonate with 2020 America?

• What did you know about Anna Mae Wong before reading "Silver"?

• Anna Mae returns to China later in her life to build her popularity. Did the cultural disconnect resonate with you (if you've been able to return to a land you identify as home)?

• Could you relate to Anna Mae's journey?

• What did you know about Vincent Chin before reading "Jade"?

• How does reading about a pivotal moment in civil rights history from an adjacent perspective change your understanding?

• In "Pearl", John's exploration of his ethnic identity is framed very differently than the previous three stories. What did you think about that?

• How does adoption play into the Chinese and Asian American framing?

Order the book through your local bookstore, online, or check your local library for digital and physical loans.