A superb exploration of the experiences of Chinese-American women and their families, portraying the traditions, the hopes, the tragedies and the reality. 

Four Chinese mothers - for each corner of the mah jong table - met for weekly parties during difficult times in China, setting up the Joy Luck Club.   They move to new lives in San Francisco, and bring up their families in a foreign culture.   Their life stories are narrated in turn by the mothers and daughters.   This is an excellent first novel with realistic characters in a cross cultural context.   Themes include marriage traditions, parental aspirations, mother-daughter relationships and Chinese society.