Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

BBC Radio 4 FM

Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang: 1. How an undcocumented childhood begins.

1. How an undcocumented childhood begins.

BBC Radio 4 - Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang, 1. How an undcocumented childhood begins.

In Qian Julie Wang's memoir it's 1994 and her new and uncertain life in America begins.

Qian Julie Wang's powerful memoir is about leaving China for America aged seven, and growing up as an illegal immigrant. Today, it's 1994 and Qian Julie has arrived in a new land.

Qian Julie Wang's powerful and moving memoir is about leaving China for Brooklyn aged seven, and growing up as an illegal immigrant.  In today's episode, it's 1994 and Qian Julie's family make a new start in America, the Beautiful Country, but the promise of a better future proves elusive.

Beautiful Country is  Qian Julie Wang's powerful and moving debut. Here she tells of her childhood growing up as an undocumented illegal immigrant with her parents, who had both been professors back home in China.  Here they labour at menial, degrading jobs, and Qian Julie vividly describes the sweatshops and sushi factories where she and her mother undertake gruelling work, for little pay.  Fear of the immigration authorities, poverty and hunger are the family's constant companions.  In school, Qian Julie is quickly marked out as an outsider, and loneliness compounds her impoverished life.  When illness strikes, the family is terrified as they are compelled to emerge  from the shadows. Qian Julie's past has left an indelible mark, but as she looks back on her childhood what emerges is a portrait of grit and determination to overcome hardship.

Qian Julie Wang is a graduate of Yale Law School, and is a managing partner of a law firm advocating for education, disability and civil rights. She lives in Brooklyn.  This is her first book.

Katie Leung first came to public attention for playing Cho Chang in the Harry Potter franchise. Recent television roles include Chimerica, Roadkill, and The Nest. 

Abridged by Sarah Shaffi
Produced by Elizabeth Allard

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Audiobooks

Podcasts

Factual

A powerful and moving memoir about growing up as an illegal immigrant in America.

Book of the Week. Qian Julie Wang's powerful and moving memoir is about leaving China for Brooklyn aged seven, and growing up as an illegal immigrant. Read by Katie Leung.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang

1. How an undcocumented childhood begins.

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4