4 stars for Front Desk (Front Desk book 1) by Kelly Yang.
This is a heartwarming and deeply moving story about a Chinese family that migrates from China to America in the early 1990s. Told from the perspective of the family's only child, 10-year old Mia Tang shares how the family of three come to live and work at a motel in California, and the difficulties and hardships faced as a Chinese immigrant growing up in America.
This is my first time reading an English novel penned by a Chinese author. Perhaps because I have no expectations prior to reading, the book surprises me in more ways than one. To say that this novel is good will be an understatement - it is fantastic. The story comes across real, the everyday kind of real. Take for example, the one-child policy in China. It was implemented nationwide by the Chinese government in 1980 in order to limit most Chinese families to one child each. The one-child policy ended after thirty-five years and was changed to a two-child limit in 2015. Reading about the one-child policy in this book drives home the reality of such a policy. Then, there is mention of the number eight which Chinese believes is an auspicious sign. To quote "Chinese people believe that if you receive eight dollars, it’s good luck. That’s because the word for the number eight, ba, rhymes with the word for “prosperity,” fa." These are but examples of how the author adds real-life flavour to her story.
The author also deals with real-world topics such as immigration, worker exploitation, racial discrimination, fraud, poverty and school bullying. These are tough topics but they do not feel heavy or pretentious, only that they serve to accentuate the unfair treatment and struggles and hardships faced by Chinese immigrants. To quote "we can’t judge someone based on their skin color. It isn’t right. This is America.” to which another character retorts with, to quote "“If you really believe that, you’re even dumber than I thought. Clearly you have no idea how this country really works.”
Besides cultural differences and real-world topics, what I like most in this story which is based to some extent on the author's personal experience as an immigrant growing up in America, is the strong family bond. Mia's little family is very united in their love for one another. No matter how bad the situation is, they try their very best to turn it into a family thing that they can do and resolve together. And then, no matter how black things look to be, there is always a silver lining. There are still nice, friendly and helpful people around, waiting to be found, to offer a listening ear or a helping hand or words of encouragement.
For a debut novel, Front Desk is amazingly well written. It tells the stories of not just Mia and her family but also that of other Chinese immigrants who visit them at the Calivista Motel. It has much to teach about racial prejudice and human kindness. There is loneliness, frustration, sadness, anger and helplessness. But there is also family warmth, compassion, courage, understanding, unity and aspiration. It is not only a heartwarming and deeply moving story, it is also an inspiring tale about hopes and dreams.
Below is a quote taken verbatim from the book and that is what I call turning a mistake into an opportunity. A nice one.
"..a mistake isn’t always a mistake. Sometimes a mistake is actually an opportunity, but we just can’t see it right then and there."
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books; Reprint edition
Publication date: 25 Jun 2019
*** Favourite Quote ***
".. a mistake isn’t always a mistake,” he said. “Sometimes a mistake is actually an opportunity, but we just can’t see it right then and there. Do you know what I mean?"
~ Front Desk
Kelly Yang
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Mia Tang has a lot of secrets:
Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests.
Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed.
Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language?
It will take all of Mia's courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?
*Blurb from author's website*
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