"I like being done with figuring my life out—with figuring out where I should live, what I should focus on, what sort of people I like, how I like to spend my days. I know what’s important to me."
MONA IN THE PROMISED LAND was (is) the most important book to me as a young person, and child of an immigrant mother and American Jewish father, and a budding writer — the way Gish Jen writes about the real travails of teen life, and immigration, and Jewish culture, and so on, through a lens of pure wit. I was so serious and it made me learn to laugh at myself. Important, too, because my dad and I read it simultaneously and then quoted lines to each other for the rest of his life. What a gift.
I remember the short story that was an excerpt from the novel in The Atlantic; I knew I had to read the book. (She changed the point of view, -- or else the tense -- when I finally read the novel.) The one year I taught English at a high school, the short-lived Jewish Community High School in Phoenix, I taught MONA IN THE PROMISED LAND. I had taught it before in a required undergraduate class called Other Voices, Other Visions at a private university in South Florida; we Liberal Arts faculty (I was a Legal Studies professor) could teach it any way I wanted, so I did it as a course in the literature of immigrants in 20th century America. The college students liked the book, but the Jewish high school juniors, maybe four years younger, really loved it. I can't tell you how many times I taught Gish Jen's "Who's Irish?" to my class in The Short Story at Borough of Manhattan Community College. it is one of my favorite stories of all time. Gish Jen is an amazing writer. The three times I've seen and listened to her read (in three different states) have been a pleasure.
Actually -- this is what happens when you are almost 75 -- I just realized that in the college course on immigrant literature, I taught Jen's previous novel, TYPICAL AMERICAN, that features Mona's parents and aunt. That is a terrific book as well, and I recommend it to everyone who has read MONA IN THE PROMISED LAND first, as it explains some things in the second novel.
It's not too late to learn to play piano! I started learning violin at 73 and percussion (yes, there's a marimba in my dining room) at 80. You'll be surprised and amazed at what your oldster brain can do.
I second this wholeheartedly. I started learning violin at age 68. Don't sweat your pace and get a teacher to work with you at regular lessons. You will uncover bliss.
Thank you for this, Gish Jen. I am keeping this interview as a reminder of one thing in particular. It’s okay to accept that certain things may not work out. I want that to be my mantra today!
And yes, you can still learn to play the piano. I started learning Spanish at 65, and am now pretty fluent. There’s no expiration date on our ability to learn. 😊
Love this post, and it is so succinct! For someone raised in a non-confrontational environment, the F-you paragraph is pure gold. I read it several times.
Oh, I feel this! ‘Aging has given me perspective. It’s easier to accept things, and to let go of things that don’t matter or don’t work—indeed, to accept that some things will never work out.’ How fun to read; I love Gish Jen’s novels.
I like the idea of living from a place of self-knowledge instead of constantly trying to figure things out. Saves a lot of energy. Enjoyed this interview. Thanks Gish!
MONA IN THE PROMISED LAND was (is) the most important book to me as a young person, and child of an immigrant mother and American Jewish father, and a budding writer — the way Gish Jen writes about the real travails of teen life, and immigration, and Jewish culture, and so on, through a lens of pure wit. I was so serious and it made me learn to laugh at myself. Important, too, because my dad and I read it simultaneously and then quoted lines to each other for the rest of his life. What a gift.
Sweet.
I loved this, also -- I need to re-read right now!
My college age daughter picked “Mona” off the bookstore shelf for something to read on a flight. Forever grateful for this discovery.
There are so many laugh out loud moments in MONA IN THE PROMISED LAND!
I remember the short story that was an excerpt from the novel in The Atlantic; I knew I had to read the book. (She changed the point of view, -- or else the tense -- when I finally read the novel.) The one year I taught English at a high school, the short-lived Jewish Community High School in Phoenix, I taught MONA IN THE PROMISED LAND. I had taught it before in a required undergraduate class called Other Voices, Other Visions at a private university in South Florida; we Liberal Arts faculty (I was a Legal Studies professor) could teach it any way I wanted, so I did it as a course in the literature of immigrants in 20th century America. The college students liked the book, but the Jewish high school juniors, maybe four years younger, really loved it. I can't tell you how many times I taught Gish Jen's "Who's Irish?" to my class in The Short Story at Borough of Manhattan Community College. it is one of my favorite stories of all time. Gish Jen is an amazing writer. The three times I've seen and listened to her read (in three different states) have been a pleasure.
Actually -- this is what happens when you are almost 75 -- I just realized that in the college course on immigrant literature, I taught Jen's previous novel, TYPICAL AMERICAN, that features Mona's parents and aunt. That is a terrific book as well, and I recommend it to everyone who has read MONA IN THE PROMISED LAND first, as it explains some things in the second novel.
Big resonate here. Gish Jen sounds like someone I'd love to know.
Loved this. Could related to so much of it!!! Thanks for sharing a bit of your life and aging thoughts with us, Gish!
It's not too late to learn to play piano! I started learning violin at 73 and percussion (yes, there's a marimba in my dining room) at 80. You'll be surprised and amazed at what your oldster brain can do.
I second this wholeheartedly. I started learning violin at age 68. Don't sweat your pace and get a teacher to work with you at regular lessons. You will uncover bliss.
Thank you for this, Gish Jen. I am keeping this interview as a reminder of one thing in particular. It’s okay to accept that certain things may not work out. I want that to be my mantra today!
I so love your enthusiasm, Gish!
And yes, you can still learn to play the piano. I started learning Spanish at 65, and am now pretty fluent. There’s no expiration date on our ability to learn. 😊
True true, she’s looks not-old!! I see her often around town.
Love this post, and it is so succinct! For someone raised in a non-confrontational environment, the F-you paragraph is pure gold. I read it several times.
Oh, I feel this! ‘Aging has given me perspective. It’s easier to accept things, and to let go of things that don’t matter or don’t work—indeed, to accept that some things will never work out.’ How fun to read; I love Gish Jen’s novels.
Please write that book about your father, Gish!
Love this so much!
nodding wildly while reading.
The book is sitting on my desk. So looking forward to reading it.
What a terrific read. Thank you!
Gish Jen's story "Detective Dog," is my favorite story of all time. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Heart-breaking.
I like the idea of living from a place of self-knowledge instead of constantly trying to figure things out. Saves a lot of energy. Enjoyed this interview. Thanks Gish!