Wuhu Diary: On Taking My Adopted Daughter Back to Her Hometown in China

by Emily Prager

In 1994 an American writer named Emily Prager met her new daughter LuLu. All she knew about her was that the baby had been born in Wuhu, a city in southern China, and left near a police station in her first three days of life. Her birth mother had left a note with Lulu's western and lunar birth dates. In 1999 Emily and her daughter–now a happy, fearless four-year-old--returned to China to find out more. That journey and its discoveries unfold in this lovely, touching and sensitively observed book.

In Wuhu Diary , we follow Emily and LuLu through a country where children are doted on yet often summarily abandoned and where immense human friendliness can coexist with outbursts of state-orchestrated hostility–particularly after the U. S. accidentally bombs the Chinese embassy in Belgrade. We see Emily unearthing precious details of her child’s past and LuLu coming to terms with who she is. The result is a book that will delight anyone interested in China, and that will move and instruct anyone who has ever adopted--or considered adopting--a child.

Genres: Adoption, China, Asia, Nonfiction, Memoir

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Emily Prager is an American author and journalist.

Prager grew up in Texas, Taiwan, and Greenwich Village, NY. She is a graduate of The Brearley School, Barnard College and has a Masters Degree in Applied Linguistics.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Yoonmee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm only on page 20, but holy crap, this book is horrible. I'm going to try to finish it so I can write a full review, but I'm not sure I'll be able to make it through. So far, in a mere twenty pages, Emily Prager has managed to make countless, well-intentioned but ignorant comments that taken alone might be ignored or chalked up to a a somewhat naive, privileged white woman's point of view, but taken together all at once and in only the first 20 pages of her book, come across as horribly offensive.

I'm not really sure where to begin, but let's just say that Prager has an Orientalist view of China, Chinese people, Chinese culture, and her Chinese daughter, which is to say, she means well but only sees what she wants to see in Chinese culture/people, exoticizes China/Chinese people/culture. Prager believes she has "a sense about things Chinese" and that "to be in the presence of Chinese people or things always soothes me." Nice sentiments, but offensive nonetheless. Soft music is soothing, tea with honey is soothing, kittens can be soothing, but an entire culture and people? She manages to reduce Chinese people and things (as if humans and things can be interchangeable or as if Chinese people are things) to, well, things. Sigh.

...........................................................

I've finished the book and can now write a full review, but my first review basically says it all. It doesn't get better from page 20 onwards. The only thing left to say is that, on top of being one white woman's well-intentioned yet offensive, exoticized view of China, it's a boring book! Yes, it's a diary but do we really need to know exactly how many times Lulu went to the playground? Do we need to know every single detail of every single day they were in China? The answer to that is no.

Prager's constant crying was also pretty annoying. I'm sure the fact that Prager seemed to be an emotional mess had a direct effect on Lulu's emotional state too. I mean, good grief, everything makes Prager cry.

I'm almost surprised this got published at all because the writing certainly isn't anything extraordinary nor is the story all that interesting, but I suppose back in 2001 there wasn't much in the way of literature about, by, or for Chinese adoptees and adoptive parents, so the pickings were probably slim. Sigh. Can anyone suggest books about adoption that aren't offensive? Are there any books about the adoption experience written by adoptive parents that won't piss me off, bore me to death, or annoy me? =P

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Near the beginning of the diary of her journey to Wuhu, author Emily Prager writes of her five year old daughter, Lulu, "I am so glad she is getting to look at her China, the China of 'you're from China, you're adopted from China, you came from China, I went to China to get you, I was in China when the phone rang and a voice said, 'Would you like to meet your baby?'' Her China. That China." During their month and half long stay, Prager describes Lulu's efforts to reconcile the setting and circumstances of her birth with her current life in the United States. In the context of such an intimidatingly controversial and multi-faceted topic as transracial, international adoption, Prager's observations are searchingly honest and heart-wrenching. I appreciated the fact that she did not sugarcoat the difficulty, pain, and cultural and ethnic limbo that transracial, international adoptees and their adoptive parents experience. When Prager ends the story on an affirming note, it feels hard-earned and authentic.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for adoption stories.
This white mother did what few adoptive parents can do, but if they were able, it would be so helpful to the child/children. She took her 4 year old daughter to the town that she was adopted from and lived there for a couple of months. The daughter was able to reclaim that part of herself. Wow. A real gift. The daughter already went to a Chinese language school, so had it in her "ear" and so could understand and speak when she got to China.
I got a couple of glimpses into Chinese mentalities and ways of being in the world, which is what I was looking for.

[Jgknobler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a straightforward account of Prager's 1999 several month visit to a small city in China, six hours by train from Shanghai, where her 6 year old abandoned daughter was born some five years before. It is a moving exploration of the adoptive mother-daughter relationship, and a very fond look at the people and culture of this particular town. One thing lacking--Prager herself spent some years of her childhood living with her divorced father in Taiwan. Although she refers to this several times, I would have liked to have a better understanding of the circumstances and the experience she herself had as a child in a foreign culture.

[Maria Fernanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a very touching story about a mom who takes her adopted daughter back to China, so she can learn About her roots and discover her identity.
The book is a bit slow because it's written purely as a journal, but this is also the reason why it gives the reader the opportunity to dive into the thoughts of the writer and mom Emily Prager, she puts her feelings in paper, raw, vulnerable, difficult, beautiful.
I enjoyed so much being part of this trip, it was as if I was there myself with LuLu and Emily.

[Louise Cowell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts of this books are interesting and you want to find out what happens next, e.g the file, some parts, not so much... there’s only so many time I can read: Lulu went to the playground. Me and Lulu skated. Lulu played with *insert name of hotel staff*

Overall it was heavily repetitive and the only reason I finished it was because I wanted to find out if they found out more about Lulu’s roots...

[Viki Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book and worth a read. Well paced and a joy to go along for the journey.

[Lish · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a lovely idea and the sentiment is heartwarming, but the author's tone is significantly off-putting for me.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good description of weeks spent in a small city on the yangtze at the turn of the century and the warmth and helpfulness of Chinese people, if not officialdom.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good and I can't put my finger on why. I think that what could have been a purely "made for TV" saga was enhanced by the author, Emily Prager's,own experience as a child in China. Something about that may have contributed to her ability to notice her surroundings in a truly original way. I feel like someday I hope very much to visit Wuhu, China. A place I have never heard of before this book. Another very powerful aspect of this book is that the author is not fearful of loosing her daughter emotionally to the place she was born. Ms. Prager adopted Lulu as a baby from an orphanage in Wuhu and returns when Lulu is four in order for Lulu to understand her heritage. Since I have a four year old son, I understand from my own experience what motherhood is like. Ms. Prager did what was best for her daughter despite the possible cost to their relationship because she felt that Lulu needed the trip for her own development. This generosity was very moving. I admire her courage.
There is a free book drop in the basement of my apartment building and I found this book there. It is a non-returned library book from Honesdale, PA. Possibly purchased at a book sale because on page 4 someone highlighted the word "aquarium" and the word "shanghai".

[de vangsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm, geen gemakkelijke, heeft me langer dan verwacht bezig gehouden. Amerikaanse single vrouw adopteert Chinees meisje en neemt haar mee naar haar roots. Geschreven in de vroege jaren 2000, en ik verwacht me aan een achterhaalde visie op adoptie en een westers redderssyndroom. De realiteit is complexer. Een stukje zit het erin, maar een groot stuk ook net niet. Prager blijkt zelf opgegroeid te zijn in Azië, en spreekt Chinees. Ze stuurt haar dochter in New York naar een privé Chinese kleuterschool en nog later gaan beiden zelfs wonen in Shanghai. Als haar dochter 4 is, gaan ze op zoek naar haar roots, 'nu het nog kan en mensen misschien nog herinneringen hebben'.

En hier wordt het vaag. Aangekomen blijkt er een NATO-aanval gebeurd te zijn door Amerika met Chinese slachtoffers tot gevolg. Terecht of niet, het grootste deel van het boek gaat vervolgens over hoe moeder en dochter zich verschansen in een hotel. Therapeutisch schrijven heet zoiets zeker?

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novelist and Village Voice columnist Emily Prager has written a very enjoyable account of the adoption of her daughter, LuLu, and the trip they made together back to Wuhu, China when LuLu was five years old. Emily hopes to introduce LuLu to her roots and at the same time to try to find some information about LuLu’s birth parents. She never succeeds at the latter, and introducing a child to her culture when she is only five years old seems a little strange, but LuLu is a charming child and is somehow changed by their travels. Prager had spent part of her childhood in China and is very open to the people they meet, who in turn fall in love with LuLu.

[M. H. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first part of this book was very interesting - about Emily's life in America with her adopted daughter, Lulu - but the second part about looking for Lulu's past in China ran aground with too much minutia - we went to the train, then we got on the train, then we rode the train, then we couldn't find our friend at the train station, then we found our friend, then we took out our papers, then we went to a hotel, but that hotel couldn't take us, so we went looking for another hotel, etc., etc., etc. That is also when I decided to stop reading adoption memoirs. Seriously, the genre needs an influx of strong ghost writers.

[Tracy M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written in the obvious diary form of someone attempting to capture every last minuscule moment for fear of losing it. I had high hopes for this "my experience" style book however, much like a toboggan laden with children being dragged across a snowless patch, this book just droned on. At times the lay out didn't even make chronological sense IE: "we grabbed hands and boarded the plane.....I went to the Japanese kiosk before we boarded the plan." Considering they were already ON the plane I doubt this was practical. Or the age mistakes made time and again through out.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story of an American woman who adopts a Chinese baby girl and takes her back to China to see where she was born. During the visit the U.S. bombs the Chinese embassy in Belgrade. This make it more difficult for her to visit. The story talks about their experience and a bit of political and cultural exploration. She describes the emotions that her little girl Lulu goes through to mourn her 1st parents and process her adoption.

[Terra · Rating 5 out of 5]

i LOVED this book. emily is able to articulate her feelings and her sense of her daughters feelings and responses very effectively as she draws on her skills as an author of fiction to tell a personal story. this book answered questions and concerns i had that many more exhaustive or scholarly treatments overlooked. plus it is simply a beautiful and interesting story.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really good introduction to the immense contrasts that are China. It was especially interesting to me, as there are quite a few Chinese girls who were adopted by families in our community. It is written as a first-person account and is both emotional and informative. And it didn't stop me from going to China! :-)

[Nazim B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Due to the increasing literary studies of interracial adoptions, "Wuhu Diary" turns out to be one of the good examples of such narratives. Prager employs a sentimental yet easy-going language with detailed information.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A memoir of taking her adopted daughter back to China. Amazing. It read like a novel. I always wanted to know what would happen next. Wonderful descriptions. I can’t wait to read more Prager books.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading about China, especially from the interesting perspecitve of the adoptive mother. However, I think I have a very different personality than the author and it was hard to get over that at times during the book. Overall, a thought-provoking book.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why take a 5 year old to China to discover her roots? What will LuLu remember? How did she communicate so well if her Chinese we so poor? I found it hard to believe that she was so charming and engaging that everyone absolutely loved her. Mom seemed way too permissive.

[Jeanette Torok · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book I received from my sister!

[Wendy Baxter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I love travel books, this one was so boring, I couldn't finish it. Sorry

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good. It put a smile on my face. A woman takes her adopted daughter back to Wuhu, China, where she is from. This isn't the quickest read, but it is a good one.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good read...Dragged just a bit but picked up and ended fairly nicely.

[Reghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked learing and reading about what they did.

[Erin Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books about Chinese adoption...and I have read my share!

[Jenny Jump · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely story, I recommend you read it.

[Ruth Adelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

1999 took her daughter LULU back to China. Lived in town she was born in. Lulu was 5 years old.

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this gentle, very good natured book.