Asian Culture Revealed: Yellow on the Outside, Shame on the Inside

by Anson Chi

Why do Asians really get straight A’s? Why do Asians really become doctors and lawyers? Many people believe that the reason has to do with the pressure to perform and conform, however, it goes much deeper than that—much, much deeper! This didactic novel reveals the truths about Asian culture, which will shock you to the marrow of your bones—and open a hidden world of long-guarded secrets.

Genres: Fiction

137 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 9, 2009

Reviews

[May · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book confused me with its style. The author claims it is literary fiction but it reads more like a cross between very cynical and bitter memoir and a under-researched anthropology textbook. Needless to say, "literary fiction" was not the wisest choice because his main character, Johnson, is a complete idiot, full of immaturity and naivete. All he does is whine and thinks his insights into his own culture are some enlightening. By the way, I found it incredibly annoying that he generalizes his Chinese background by referring to it as Asian throughout the story. He does it because he wants to be identified as "American" rather than "Chinese-American" but if wants to make a point about why your ethnicity shouldn't matter, just come out and tell us that your ethnicity is Chinese and be done with it.

It's fine to bash your own culture if you are truly ashamed of it but I never get the sense of why he is so ashamed other than the fact that he doesn't like the pursuit of money or social status. Yes, there are some extreme and highly negative pressures being "Asian" but where is the balance in this story? Is there any advantage being Asian? You can't change your ethnicity but I get the feeling that Anson/Johnson/whatever his name is would opt for a ethnic change if he could. For most of us, an ethnic change is not an option and if the author is trying to change attitudes, he would have done much better to focus on the positive, shed light on the negatives and create a discussion on what we can do to solve these issues. Whining about the problems and berating us about how we need to change in a literary fiction context is not an effective or a productive way to get your message across.

[Jocelyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cringe-worthy writing, not just in a mechanical sense but the fact that it read like a bitter memoir. The lines between novel and essay became confusing. Too awful to finish.

[Kari · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pros:
- It's on archive.org in case you want to find it.
- The cover is, amusing.
Cons:
- Exceptionally juvenile writing. Reads like something an angsty teenager would write, except it was written by an adult.
- Long rants and sweeping generalizations about Asians, lumping them all as a homogeneous group, except when making a stereotype about one of the lumps.
- Painfully unfunny. None of the characters are likeable, and they're all shallow as hell.
- Projects hardcore the author's insecurities as an Asian male, and his disapproval of women who don't meet his standards. Asian American toxic masculinity is an apt term in this case.
Comments:
I wish I never read this, it wasn't even bad in The Room way, it just made me feel disgust and regret, and also regret. The author tried to blow up a gas pipeline with a bomb by the way and went to jail, that tells you what sort of person would write something like this. I would never try to blow up a gas pipeline. That tells you what sort of person I am.

[Rui Chen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am from China, so I know this revelation is not true. But every Chinese parent does hope their children to earn a good social status though. People with good social status are not necessarily lawyers or doctors. But these two professions do take the TOP 2 dream jobs consistently for years. And Chinese people are very good at calculations; they know pros and cons, that's why mothers and fathers force their children to go pursuing those professions.
There may be other excuses as well. They want their children to finish their dreams, such as going to the Ivy League school to pursue the best major, or they just want to manage the family continuation via choosing best profession for their children. All in all, the children are the great hopes for their parents.

[Anandh Sundar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm quite suspicious of anyone who promises to 'reveal' secrets. And this book promises exactly that-to reveal 'Asian culture' to a Western audience. Still, the book mirrors the soul of typical Indian and Chinese(maybe other Asian communities) as well. Though it ends in tragedy, it still motivates a second think on whether parents are doing the right thing or not.

[Natya Nauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very straightforward piece! Can't stop laughing while reading this! The author stated some good points about Asian stereotypes. Quite insulting for some people, but it challenges us to reflect ourselves, "Are we (as Asians) realy like that?"

[Avel Rudenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

He makes a good point about asian stereotypes.

[Devika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less known, more contemporary version of The Namesake. Definitely not all would agree to what the author has to say.. but the author actually puts forth a very true account of Asian lives abroad.

[Andi Daratista · Rating 5 out of 5]

author really knows asia culture well; book tells so many truths; Enjoy reading !