Research Guides: Tan, Amy: Books

Books

Amy Tan by Harold Bloom
Call Number: PS3570.A48 Z52 2000
ISBN: 0791056589
Publication Date: 2000-01-01
Examines the author's work through critical essays that explore themes such as loss, ethnicity, and family relationships from a variety of approaches.
Amy Tan: A Critical Companion by Edelma D. Huntley
Call Number: ebook
ISBN: 0313302073
Publication Date: 1998-07-28
Amy Tan has established a reputation as a major novelist of not only the Asian American experience but the universal experience of family relationships. With the publication of her first novel, "The Joy Luck Club" in 1988, which touched the hearts of millions of readers, Tan joined the ranks of major contemporary novelists. Adapting her brand of Chinese traditional talk story as a vehicle for exploring the lives of the mothers and daughters at the center of her novels, Tan allows readers to experience the lives of her characters from multiple perspectives in parallel and intersecting narratives.
Reading Amy Tan by Lan Dong
Call Number: ebook
ISBN: 0313355460
Publication Date: 2009-06-08
This essential discussion of Amy Tan's life and works is a necessity for students and an enriching supplement for book club members. * Summarizes each of Tan's novels, offering a plot summary and a discussion of themes, settings, and characters * Provides questions that can be used to generate classroom and book club discussion * Includes sidebars to highlight interesting information about the author and her work * Offers a selected, general bibliography of print and electronic resources to facilitate further study
Bloom's How to Write about Amy Tan by Kim Becnel; Harold Bloom
Call Number: ebook
ISBN: 1438126492
Publication Date: 2010
With the publication of her first novel, The Joy Luck Club, in 1989, Amy Tan was immediately recognized as a major contemporary novelist. This book explores her classic debut and the many novels that followed. It provides suggestions for students writing about Amy Tan.

Primo Search

Find Books, eBooks, Articles, DVDs, and Streaming Videos

Visit our Primo Research Guide if you have any questions.

General Search Tips

Begin your research with an initial search in Primo, and then explore subject-specific databases for more targeted results.
Utilize Boolean search terms to enhance your search effectiveness: AND narrows results to those containing both search terms; OR expands results to include either search term (not necessarily both); and NOT eliminates results containing the specified term.
Commence with a general search, refining it to become more specific as needed. If you possess a basic understanding of your desired focus, search using a broad term and narrow it down based on available resources.
Examine the subject terms and keywords used in the articles you discover. If they appear relevant, consider incorporating them into your search terms. Should your results be too extensive, add supplementary search terms to refine your inquiry further.
To search for a specific phrase, enclose it in quotation marks. This ensures the search engine looks for the exact phrase, rather than each word individually. For instance, searching "To be or not to be" will yield that precise phrase, rather than individual words.
To locate a word or phrase within an article PDF, e-book, or webpage, use the CTRL and F keys to open a search box that scans the text within a document. Remember to maintain a formal tone and employ an informative writing style in English throughout your research process.

If you need more, check our advanced guide to Database Search Tips.