Reading memoirs feels like dreaming to me: the aspects of life I care most about, worry about, and fear—such as love and loss—are played out in these dreams. At the same time, just like the therapeutic function of dreams, I believe the best memoirs are like a balm that alleviates these anxieties which stem from one single question: is life worth living? Joan Chen’s book has achieved this. It lays out six decades of a life lived to the fullest like an open book (excuse the pun), the richness of which comes equality from love and loss. And guess what, it is worth it. So worth it.
My favourite book so far this year. I only know Joan as a well-known actress and director but don't know that she can write too. This book is her memoir. When reading it, I was often amazed by her candidness. For example, she talked about her relationships. This is a taboo topic for a celebrity.
She has a talent to capture feelings for sure. Maybe that's one reason why she's good at acting. I still remember in the beginning of the book, she describes memories as traces left on pillows. There are countless examples like this.
Her brother is surprisingly good at writing too, even with a profession in painting. This book's name comes from his experience. It means a type of fish, so small that are only suitable for cats to eat. He witnessed that fish are still alive after water freezes. It's a magic to him, an inexhaustible source of creativity. Just like this book, is a magic to Joan and readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Regardless of the controversies surrounding the author herself (fyi: she abandoned her adopted daughters after having her own), this is a remarkable book — especially for gaining insight into the era she grew up in: Shanghai in its good old days. It offers a vivid look at how the lives of ordinary Chinese people were shaped by political movements, and often constrained, by forces far beyond their control. What impressed me most, though, were the stories about her mother, such a brilliant and resilient woman and what a tragedy the Chinese communist party had caused.