Where the Past Begins Audiobook By Amy Tan cover art

Where the Past Begins

A Writer's Memoir

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Where the Past Begins

By: Amy Tan
Narrated by: Amy Tan
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In Where the Past Begins, best-selling author of The Joy Luck Club and The Valley of Amazement, Amy Tan, reveals herself in a way she never has before, delving into her childhood, adolescence, family history, beginnings as a writer, and professional life to explore the answers to questions of purpose and meaning that we all ask ourselves as we get older.

Moving from her childhood in Oakland and growing up with her Chinese parents through her success as a novelist, Amy Tan delves into her creative interests in music, the paralysis of beginning a new project, journal writing, and travelling. Where the Past Begins chronicles the making of a writer. With characteristic humor and poignant observation, Tan weaves a nontraditional introspective narrative that is as complex and vibrant as this beloved American novelist's fiction. Interspersed with direct correspondence between the author and her editor, this audiobook will give fans and critics unparalleled insight into the author's process, her thoughts on the literary enterprise, and her singularly warm, intelligent mind.

©2017 Amy Tan (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers Art & Literature Authors Memoir Essentials Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing Memoir China Fiction Witty

Featured Article: The top 100 memoirs of all time


All genres considered, the memoir is among the most difficult and complex for a writer to pull off. After all, giving voice to your own lived experience and recounting deeply painful or uncomfortable memories in a way that still engages and entertains is a remarkable feat. These autobiographies, often narrated by the authors themselves, shine with raw, unfiltered emotion sure to resonate with any listener. But don't just take our word for it—queue up any one of these listens, and you'll hear exactly what we mean.

Featured Article The top 100 memoirs of all time
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 Listening to Amy Tan’s narration made me feel present, with her, on so many occasions. Her writing is both evocative and revelatory when it comes to her life, her history and the things that shaped her. An in turn, her books have shaped me, and will continue to shape me in years to come. I love her books and this one was especially

excellent book

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My father's struggles and her mother's struggles were slightly similar. My father is from Shanghai n fled prior to Communist rule. He also left his children behind but often sent money to them after settling in San Francisco. He spoke Shanghainese, Mandarin and English fluently. I remember him going to San Francisco Chinatown on a daily basis and he would speak English to communicate with the shopkeepers and market people. I don't know much about my father's life in China but I am grateful he had the opportunity to return in 1972 to see his children and homeland for the last time.he died 5 years later. Thank you for the exploration through your family history. A well narrated book by the Amy Tan. I will continue to read anything you write.

Loved it

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I attended a talk by Amy Tan when she was promoting her first book. I enjoyed her talk and reading that book. I put her on my list of authors to follow. Since that time, I have read all her books and make a point of attending her talks whenever she is in my area.

This book is a memoir of her life to-date. She traces her family history through photographs. Tan describes her skill of nature drawings and compares that creativity to her writing. She discusses her mother’s mental illness and its effect on her and the rest of her family. The main topic of the book is about writing and creativity. Tan discusses a collection of letters between herself and her editor, Daniel Halpern. She provides in-sights on writing. She brings out what it takes to be a professional writer. Tan is a gifted storyteller. I enjoy learning about authors and how they write.

The book is fourteen and a half hours long. Amy Tan narrated her own book. It is great to hear the author read their book.

Gripping Memoir

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I was touched by Tan's homage to her mother and her respect for ancestry. Well written. Well performed.

Easy Listen

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I enjoyed every moment of this book especially with Ms. Tan’s narration. It is a glimpse into her life, how she writes and the gifts she gives her audiences. Thank-you for the great journey!

Wonderful story

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I loved it! I thought I understood the story of the Joy Luck Club.. I now appreciate the journey and rich history of her family.. it makes me think of my grandmother and grandfather the difficulty they had encountered and sacrifices..

The honesty, truly understanding her mother’s heart, for that matter, the heart of each family member.

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There were a few parts in this book that were absolutely riveting. And much of the story was quite interesting. But then there were whole passages that seem to be a bunch of ramblings and reflections. “Why is she telling me this?”
I sometimes wondered.

Overall a bit disappointing.

The fascinating and the meh

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I loved this book and couldn't bear for it to end. The chapter about lost languages gave me chills. I'm listening to "The Opposite of Fate" next.

Unique and Amazing!

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This was an interesting memoir, sad in places yet Ms. Tan rose to do great. Would love to hear Ms. Tan in person.
The book was a recommendation from a Literary agent. I will surely share my various thoughts.

Where the Past Begins

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Thank you for this poignant recollection of your life as a writer! I greatly enjoyed it!

Beautiful!

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