I chose to use Tan’s The Joy Luck Club because of its validity as an suitable, well-written, contemporary American text. The novel revolves around the problems and growth of several Chinese-American mother/daughter pairs. Not only does the novel offer a unique multicultural perspective on modern-day issues, but it also relates back to heritage and tradition. The novel is rich in imagery and details, complex due do the woven narrative structure, layered with very individual characters, and rife with relevant issues for students. The novel deals with identity formation, mother/daughter relationships, finding cultural harmony, eating disorders, discovering the past, depression, and problems with relationships, among other things. These themes and motifs are important for students and provide a good opportunity for related, complex thinking and discussing.