About
As a Vietnamese girl coming of age in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Nguyen is filled with a rapacious hunger for American identity, and in the pre-PC-era Midwest (where the Jennifers and Tiffanys reign supreme), the desire to belong transmutes into a passion for American food. More exotic- seeming than her Buddhist grandmother's traditional specialties, the campy, preservative-filled "delicacies" of mainstream America capture her imagination. In Stealing Buddha's Dinner, the glossy branded allure of Pringles, Kit Kats, and Toll House Cookies becomes an ingenious metaphor for Nguyen's struggle to become a "real" American, a distinction that brings with it the dream of the perfect school lunch, burgers and Jell- O for dinner, and a visit from the Kool-Aid man. Vivid and viscerally powerful, this remarkable memoir about growing up in the 1980s introduces an original new literary voice and an entirely new spin on the classic assimilation story.
Discuss Stealing Buddha's Dinner with other readers
Join or start a book club for Stealing Buddha's Dinner on Readfeed. Live chat, shared reading progress, and AI discussion questions — free to get started.
Frequently asked questions
How do I join a book club for Stealing Buddha's Dinner?
Sign up free on Readfeed, then browse public clubs or start your own club with Stealing Buddha's Dinner as the current read. Invite friends with a share link and discuss together with live chat and AI discussion questions.
Can I discuss Stealing Buddha's Dinner with other readers online?
Yes. Readfeed book clubs let you chat live, share progress, and join discussions about Stealing Buddha's Dinner with readers worldwide — whether your club is virtual, in-person, or hybrid.
Is Readfeed free?
Yes. Creating an account and joining book clubs is free. Sign up to find readers who love the same books and start discussing today.