Listen to the Squawking Chicken

When Mother Knows Best, What's a Daughter to Do?

By Elaine Lui | Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group

About the book

“An affectionate tribute to her tough, powerful Chinese mother.”—Kirkus Reviews
“I devoured this book in one sitting...alternately cheering, laughing, cringing, and gasping in horror.  Lui captures the complexity of a mother-daughter relationship that is both complicated and beautiful. Poignant with a bare honesty that may make you think (and rethink) your own relationships.”  —Jenny Lawson, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Let’s Pretend This Never Happened

Meet Elaine Lui’s mother. She’s “a movie, an Amy Tan novel, and a sitcom all rolled into one.”* Or as her daughter sums it up: “She’s Chinese, she squawks like a chicken, she is totally nuts, and I am totally dependent on her.”
With tales of brutal mah-jong competitions, all-cap texts (“YOUR BAD SKIN NEED SOUP”); public shaming, and pearls of occasionally-bizarre wisdom; Lui not only paints a portrait of a challenging, frustrating, fascinating woman that will make you laugh and cry—she eloquently describes exactly what it’s like to love someone who drives you crazy.
“A remarkable memoir about Lui’s relationship with her Hong Kong-born mom, who makes Tiger Mothers look like pussycats.”—Tampa Bay Times


*Lisa Gabriele, author and TV producer

Editions of Listen to the Squawking Chicken

Paperback
ISBN 9780425275375

Read an Excerpt

“An affectionate tribute to her tough, powerful Chinese mother.”—Kirkus Reviews
“I devoured this book in one sitting...alternately cheering, laughing, cringing, and gasping in horror.  Lui captures the complexity of a mother-daughter relationship that is both complicated and beautiful. Poignant with a bare honesty that may make you think (and rethink) your own relationships.”  —Jenny Lawson, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Let’s Pretend This Never Happened

Meet Elaine Lui’s mother. She’s “a movie, an Amy Tan novel, and a sitcom all rolled into one.”* Or as her daughter sums it up: “She’s Chinese, she squawks like a chicken, she is totally nuts, and I am totally dependent on her.”
With tales of brutal mah-jong competitions, all-cap texts (“YOUR BAD SKIN NEED SOUP”); public shaming, and pearls of occasionally-bizarre wisdom; Lui not only paints a portrait of a challenging, frustrating, fascinating woman that will make you laugh and cry—she eloquently describes exactly what it’s like to love someone who drives you crazy.
“A remarkable memoir about Lui’s relationship with her Hong Kong-born mom, who makes Tiger Mothers look like pussycats.”—Tampa Bay Times


*Lisa Gabriele, author and TV producer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Listen to the Squawking Chicken about?

“An affectionate tribute to her tough, powerful Chinese mother.”—Kirkus Reviews
“I devoured this book in one sitting...alternately cheering, laughing, cringing, and gasping in horror.  Lui captures the complexity of a mother-daughter relationship that is both complicated and beautiful. Poignant with a bare honesty that may make you think (and rethink) your own relationships.”  —Jenny Lawson, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Let’s Pretend This Never Happened

Meet Elaine Lui’s mother. She’s “a movie, an Amy Tan novel, and a sitcom all rolled into one.”* Or as her daughter sums it up: “She’s Chinese, she squawks like a chicken, she is totally nuts, and I am totally dependent on her.”
With tales of brutal mah-jong competitions, all-cap texts (“YOUR BAD SKIN NEED SOUP”); public shaming, and pearls of occasionally-bizarre wisdom; Lui not only paints a portrait of a challenging, frustrating, fascinating woman that will make you laugh and cry—she eloquently describes exactly what it’s like to love someone who drives you crazy.
“A remarkable memoir about Lui’s relationship with her Hong Kong-born mom, who makes Tiger Mothers look like pussycats.”—Tampa Bay Times


*Lisa Gabriele, author and TV producer

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Listen to the Squawking Chicken?

Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > Memoirs

Where can I read a sample of Listen to the Squawking Chicken?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780425275375

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Listen to the Squawking Chicken?

Elaine Lui

Who is the Publisher of the book Listen to the Squawking Chicken?

Penguin Publishing Group

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Listen to the Squawking Chicken is available as paperback(ISBN 9780425275375)

Where can I buy Listen to the Squawking Chicken online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Listen to the Squawking Chicken from below

Where can I buy Listen to the Squawking Chicken?