Aliens in America

by Sandra Tsing Loh

From the best-selling author of Depth Takes a Holiday comes a comic monologue for sons and daughters everywhere, who feel that their parents must have been beamed to Earth from another planet.

Genres: Humor, Memoir, Plays, Nonfiction, Audiobook

94 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

Writer and performer Sandra Tsing Loh is a contributing editor to The Atlantic, host of the syndicated radio show The Loh Down on Science, and the author of five previous books. Her work has appeared in Best American Essays. In addition to having been a regular commentator on NPR’s Morning Edition and PRI’s This American Life, she has performed two solo shows off-Broadway. She lives in Pasadena, California.

Reviews

[Colleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I haven't heard her on NPR lately, I used to love hearing Sandra Tsing Low's NPR little segments - I found them interesting, funny, and enjoyable. So I was thrilled to see this book come up when I was browsing my library's selection of overdrive mp3 recordings.

I have tried several times over my three week lending period to get through this - I just find it too irritatingly sarcastic, and even mean -- without much redeeming kindness or sympathy - and I just couldn't finish it. I'll stick to listening to you in 2 minute NPR segments. I prefer funny memoirs that also include some humility in the individual writing about their life.

[Ann G. Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a tall, pleasure loving German mother, a short, pennypinching Chinese father, and a personal tendency toward nerdiness, it's no wonder that Sandra Tsing Loh describes herself and her parents as aliens in America. These short vignettes of family life are painfully funny, touching, and completely believable. This book makes me want to sit around with Sandra Tsing Loh and hear her tell more stories, and maybe – just maybe – ask her to listen to a few of my own.

I read this book in two subway rides, and was sorry when it was over.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aliens In America by Sandra Tsing Loh is a comical look at a three-dimensional culture clash. Loh's German mother is often trying to leave her past behind and move forward in an American culture that allows for much freedom, while Loh's Chinese father is always pinching pennies to the nth degree in an effort to stave off some unseen impending doom. Loh stands at the tip of this triangle of German-Chinese immigration waving the American flag with no history of political/social oppression to hold her back.

Aliens In America is a short book, a quick read. It is a great choice for anyone who is looking for an easy smile or a new perspective on living in the Untied States. Loh's wonderfully smooth conversational tone of writing made the book a pleasure to read, as if I were sitting across the table from her and sharing in her personal reminisces' while sipping a creamy mocha java and trying not to spray it out my nose when laughter caught me off guard.

[Becki Basley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short audiobook standup comic routine basically. This is from a woman who has a Chinese father and a German mother who grew up in the United States. To say she has an interesting point of view is an understatement and it is not surprising st all that she became a comedian. Highly recommend!

[Marya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I also got the audio version, and I do like the author's voice. More than anything, her sense of humor feels warm and genuine.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read book after hearing one of her essays on the radio...I prefer the radio version

[Alice Handley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny-touching.

[catabingbong · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was bland and mildly amusing at times but overall was not very well written. What was supposed to be meant as a joke to her heritage I thought was pointless.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This performance audiobook was too funny! I really enjoyed it.

[Deb W · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. I cannot even write how awful this was.

[Tom M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant, all too brief collection of short autobiographical, family vignettes balanced on the theme of being The Other in life. Tsing Loh at her finest.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, easy read - a few of these also have an audio version (from 'This American Life'), which are pretty entertaining (I actually prefer the radio version)

[Jennifer D. Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe best author-narrated book ever. Read before a live audience, and she is an amazing reader.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subjective and dated as hell, but awesome if you get it. If you've lived in Shanghai, if you've experienced a cross cultural relationship, if you've been exposed to the world enough to be disabused of cultural superiority, it's awesome. Play of the half breeds.

[Alexis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think my dislike of plays comes from the format.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

i really like Sandra Tsing Loh's humor and books. I stumbled on this one when the LAPL did not have an electronic version of the book I was looking for. It is a monologue about being raised in Los Angeles by a Chinese father and German mother. It is the usual Lot humor although shorter than her other works

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5