I find Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Woman Warrior such a fascinating read because it blends fiction and nonfiction almost seamlessly, mixing legends of myth and fantasy with real world issues many immigrants struggle with today. Not only does Kingston allow the reader a glimpse as life as an Asian-American immigrant, but as a woman in the past and the present as well.
In accordance with the title, The Woman Warrior depicts the ever present sexism in society and unfortunately the home, all the while showcasing what women really do have to offer. This empowerment is portrayed equally through elements of fantasy, family responsibilities, and Kingston’s personal relationship with her mother. Though it is listed as a memoir, The Woman Warrior is far from just that, offering a touch of folklore and legend weaved between stories from Kingston and her mother’s lives. Character shaping events lie next to daily occurrences in this cultural experience of a book, one I am truly glad to have learned from a nuanced and realistic angle.
Review Written by Emily, 11th Grade