Comments on: Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese

By: THE_BANANA_REPUBLIC

THE_BANANA_REPUBLIC — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:36:17 +0000

I enjoyed ABC, but I hadn’t noticed any heavy handed christian influences. I mean if there were, they certainly weren’t dogmatic.

By: THE_BANANA_REPUBLIC

THE_BANANA_REPUBLIC — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:36:00 +0000

I enjoyed ABC, but I hadn’t noticed any heavy handed christian influences. I mean if there were, they certainly weren’t dogmatic.

By: Chris Wong

Chris Wong — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:37:11 +0000

Gene Yang was my comp sci teacher! You should check out the Gordon Yamamoto series he made, too.

By: Chris Wong

Chris Wong — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:37:00 +0000

Gene Yang was my comp sci teacher! You should check out the Gordon Yamamoto series he made, too.

By: jaehwan

jaehwan — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:39:31 +0000

Hey Ernie,

I saw that Catholic teacher note on the book…after I had bought it! Haha.

I grew up in a Christian household too, but my experience with the church wasn’t so great. I’ve seen some really bad things take place under the cross by people who were ostensibly God-fearing people, and so I’ll admit that I’m biased.

Yang and other writers have a right to play with the stories, but one thing that Frank Chin mentioned when he was up in Portland is that we don’t know the original stories. I read an abridged version of the original a few months after reading ABC, and the tone is completely different. It was amazing how of a difference that one panel made…

By: jaehwan

jaehwan — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:39:00 +0000

Hey Ernie,

I saw that Catholic teacher note on the book…after I had bought it! Haha.

By: Moye

Moye — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:32:44 +0000

i agree with jaehwan’s thoughts. not that you should compare the two, but i read shortcomings at the same time as well and considered it much more emotionally provocative and relevant.

i did like ABC, but something about it seemed a little too “safe.” then again, this is probably because it’s geared towards young adults. so i’m really glad it got the recognition that it deserved.

By: Moye

Moye — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:32:00 +0000

i agree with jaehwan’s thoughts. not that you should compare the two, but i read shortcomings at the same time as well and considered it much more emotionally provocative and relevant.