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Overview

The Bonesetter’s Daughter is a 2001 novel by Amy Tan that explores the relationship between Chinese-American Ruth Young and her elderly Chinese immigrant mother, LuLing, as Ruth grapples with her mother’s deteriorating mental health. Spanning from early 20th century China to contemporary San Francisco, the novel explores themes of cultural identity, complicated mother-daughter relationships, and the enduring impact of family secrets.The Bonesetter’s Daughter was a New York Times bestseller and was adapted into an opera by Stewart Wallace and Amy Tan in 2008. 

Read an in-depth analysis of Ruth Young, plot summary, and important quotes.

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