The Resisters: A novel by Gish Jen

The Resisters is an award-winning novel by Gish Jen, an acclaimed and prolific author. Her book offers an insightful examination of family dynamics, cultural identities, and social and political struggles. It is a story of resilience, perseverance, and hope in the face of adversity.

At the beginning of the novel, we meet The Resisters, a family living in New York City's Chinatown. The father, Jimmy, and the mother, Molly, are two former classmates from Communist China. They are now in the United States and hard at work to make a better life for their three children. Jimmy is a hardworking cab driver and Molly works in a Chinese grocery store.

The story centers on the three children’s journey to understand their own identity and how that conflicts with their heritage. The oldest, Taylor, is a promising swimmer and a student at a prestigious private school. He is often frustrated by his parents’ strictness and their desire to protect the family’s culture and tradition. His sister, Rina, is very close to her parents, particularly her mother, and shares many of her mother’s traditional values. The youngest, Sammy, is constantly questioning the status quo and eager to learn more about his heritage and identity.

The novel follows the family as they face various societal pressures, such as immigration, assimilation, and racial discrimination. Through the family’s struggles, they learn valuable lessons about identity and culture. As they embark on their journey, they must continually find ways to stay united as a family and come to terms with their individual journeys.

The Resisters is an immensely powerful novel that artfully captures the complexities of identity. Through Jen’s lyrical writing, she exploring the struggles of living in an immigration society and how the family must figure out how to maintain their connection to their traditional Chinese roots, but still find a common ground that works within the context of the American culture.

The novel’s theme is ultimately one of hope and perseverance. While it is a book about the family’s struggles, it is also about how, despite all of their challenges, the family is able to find a way to stay together and thrive. The book ultimately encourages readers to consider their own cultural and family histories, and to see their differences not as a barrier, but as an opportunity to bridge the diverse parts of their lives.

The Resisters is an enjoyable read that offers a thoughtful and inspiring reflection on identity and the power of family and culture. With Jen’s thoughtful writing and powerful story of resilience, readers get an engaging and heartfelt look into the dynamics of a modern immigrant family and their journey to self-discovery.