Green Island: A Novel by Shawna Yang Ryan (English) Paperback Book

Description: Green Island by Shawna Yang Ryan A stunning story of love, betrayal, and family, set in a Taiwan undergoing enormous changes over the course of the twentieth century.BEST BOOK AWARD IN FICTION BY THE ASSOCIATION FOR ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES . A stunning, lyrical novel that tells "the story of how the Tsais, a Taiwanese family, survive the February 28 Incident of 1947 and precariously navigate the decades that follow" (The New York Times).As an uprising rocks Taiwan, a young doctor in Taipei is taken from his newborn daughter by Chinese Nationalists, on charges of speaking out against the government. Although the doctor eventually returns to his family, his arrival is marked by alienation from his loved ones and paranoia among his community.Years later, this troubled past follows his youngest daughter to America, where, as a mother and a wife, she too is forced to decide between what is right and what might save her family-the same choice she witnessed her father make many years before.The story of a family and a nation grappling with the nuances of complicity and survival, Green Island raises the question- how far would you go for the ones you love? FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Author Biography Shawna Yang Ryan is a former Fulbright scholar and the author of one previous novel, Water Ghosts; she teaches in the Creative Writing Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her short fiction has appeared in ZYZZYVA, The Asian American Literary Review, Kartika Review, and Berkeley Fiction Review. She lives in Honolulu. Review "Ryan embraces the complexity of the situation, by not creating heroes but instead exploring the truth of compromise, survival and belonging." —The New York Times"A tough, unsentimental, and moving novel that is a memorial not only to the heroes, but also to the survivors." —Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sympathizer"Sweeping . . . as epic in scope as the story is intimate." —The Arizona Republic"A chilling, convincing picture of Taiwan during the years of authoritarian rule." —Los Angeles Times "Moving and suspenseful. . . . Full of compassion." —Richmond Times-Dispatch Review Quote "Moving and suspenseful . . . Green Island has few heroes, but its full of compassion for lifes survivors. Ryans rich portrayal of family life deepens the suspense. . . . An epic story worthy of a complex and determined people." --Clark Crutchfield, Richmond Times-Dispatch "Beautifully written, paced nearly perfectly and above all heartfelt, a work that reaffirms the unique power of art to entertain and to educate. By humanizing history and drawing us into the intimate lives of a single family caught in the waves of history, it creates an emotional bond between the reader and subject that not even the best work of non-fiction can accomplish. By doing so, it positions itself as an important work in Taiwans often uneven efforts to make itself known and understood more widely." --J. Michael Cole, Thinking Taiwan Description for Reading Group Guide The introduction, author biography, discussion questions, and suggested reading that follow are designed to enhance your groups discussion of Green Island, a gripping novel by Shawna Yang Ryan. Discussion Question for Reading Group Guide 1. Why do you think that the author chose Green Island as the title of her book? How might it suggest or otherwise echo some of the major themes of the novel? 2. Who narrates Green Island ? Why do you think that the author chose to never name her? How does the narrator become privy to the information and stories that she shares? Do you think that she is a reliable narrator? Why or why not? 3. Why is Dr. Tsai taken away? What is he accused of? How does he react to this charge? How do the other three men with him react to what they are charged with? How does Dr. Tsais imprisonment change him? What feelings does his wife have upon his return and in the time after? Is her response to his return surprising? 4. In Chapter 4, what does the narrator say is Babas flaw? Are there any other characters who seem to share this same flaw? Explain. 5. Evaluate the role of women in the story. What rights do the women have and what is their place in society? What does it mean to be a wife and mother? What restrictions are placed upon them as a result of their being women? How does the female experience seem to differ for the younger generations of women represented in the book? 6. Consider the themes of ethics and morality. Do you believe that Dr. Tsai and his daughter made the right choices in the major decisions they faced? Did they have any other choice? What motivated their decisions to do what they did? How did their choices ultimately impact their lives and the lives of others? What does this suggest about ethics and morality? Is there always a right and wrong choice? 7. Evaluate the motif of superstition in the book. What are some of the examples of superstitious rituals or beliefs practiced by the characters? Why do the characters seem to maintain these beliefs or perform these rituals? 8. What role does faith play in the novel? In what ways do the characters find faith? What causes their faith to waiver? Why do Ah Zhay and her mother turn to the church? Other than religious faith, what other kinds of faith are depicted in the book? 9. Consider examples of loyalty and betrayal in the book. To whom are the characters loyal? Conversely, what are some examples of betrayal found in the book? Who are some of the perpetrators and what causes them to betray someone else? Do they confess their betrayal or infidelity? If so, are they forgiven? Do they forgive themselves? Does the book ultimately suggest where ones primary loyalty should lie? 10. How are terms like "family," "citizen," and "home" defined within the novel? What do the three have in common? At the end of the book, what does the narrator say it means to be a citizen? Do you agree with her? Discuss. 11. What kinds of love are depicted in the book? Does one type of love seem to be stronger or more resilient than other kinds? Explain. How does the narrators view of marriage and love compare to her mothers? How does the narrators definition of love change or else remain consistent over the course of the story? 12. What does the book suggest about the United States reaction to international tragedy? Do you agree? Why or why not? Likewise, how do the people of Taiwan respond to the tragedies happening within their own borders? What influences or else confines their responses and reactions? 13. Consider literature as a motif within in the novel. What examples of literature and literature as propaganda are contained therein? Which of the characters in the story are writers? Why does Jia Bao want to write a book? Why is it considered a danger? What does this suggest about the power of the written word? 14. How does freedom come to be defined within the novel? Would you say that the characters in the novel are free? Why or why not? According to the book, what determines whether or not one is free? 15. Consider some of the secrets kept by the characters in the novel. Why do they keep these secrets and what impact does their secret keeping have on themselves and those around them? Do you agree with their choices to keep secrets? In other words, are there some instances where it is best to keep secrets? Discuss. 16. In Chapter 50, what did the narrator mean when she said "the whole country existed in metaphor" (308)? 17. How does the narrator come to know her parents better over the course of their lives? How do her opinions change from those she held as a young girl living with them and what incites these changes? What do we learn about the parent-child relationship from the narrators relationship with her own children and the way that her children perceive her? 18. Some of the characters in the novel question the activism of their family members, as they believe it will threaten their safety. Do you feel that their activism was worthwhile, necessary even? Was their activism successful or futile? Explain. 19. Before the narrator leaves Taipei, she visits a few memorials. How does she seem to feel about these memorials? What does she mean when she says, "We have to remind ourselves to remember" (377)? Are memorials sufficient reminders? 20. At the conclusion of the book the narrator speaks of the experience of her family and says: "It was more than a story. It was like this, wasnt it?" (381). What do you think she means by this? 21. The leaders of China and Taiwan recently had a formal meeting for the first time in sixty-six years, and it made major international news. Having read Green Island, why do you think this event was so momentous? How do you think the characters of the novel would react to it? Excerpt from Book Book I Taipei 1947- Details ISBN1101872365 Author Shawna Yang Ryan Pages 400 Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc Year 2017 ISBN-10 1101872365 ISBN-13 9781101872369 Format Paperback Imprint Penguin USA Place of Publication New York, NY Country of Publication United States DEWEY 813.6 Short Title Green Island Language English Subtitle A Novel Series Please Use This Code UK Release Date 2017-01-10 Publication Date 2017-01-10 AU Release Date 2017-01-10 NZ Release Date 2017-01-10 US Release Date 2017-01-10 Narrator Paul McGann Translator R. Kevin Hill Birth 1927 Affiliation Lecturer, University of Fort Hare Position Professor Qualifications J.D. Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:126841402;

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