49 pages • 1 hour read
Bich Minh NguyenStealing Buddha's Dinner
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2007A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Stealing Buddha’s Dinner is a memoir by Bich Minh Nguyen that recounts her childhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan as a young Vietnamese refugee. The narrative follows Bich’s experiences as she navigates cultural identity, family dynamics, and the challenges of fitting in. Through her love of books and memories centered around food, Bich explores the complexities of her heritage and the longing for belonging. Sensitive topics include war, displacement, and familial separation.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Stealing Buddha's Dinner by Bich Minh Nguyen receives praise for its evocative narrative and insightful look into immigrant life, capturing the complexities of cultural identity and the American experience. Critics appreciate Nguyen's lyrical prose and vivid descriptions. However, some feel the memoir lacks narrative depth in places. Overall, it's a compelling, poignant read.
Who Should Read Stealing Buddha's Dinner?
Readers who cherish immigrant narratives and coming-of-age stories will be captivated by Stealing Buddha's Dinner by Bich Minh Nguyen. Fans of Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club and Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street will appreciate Nguyen's evocative exploration of identity, family, and cultural clash in 1980s America.