Story perspectives

Exploring Mother-Daughter Bonds in Bad Bad Girl

12/23/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Gish Jen's novel Bad Bad Girl explores her complex relationship with her mother, Loo Shu-hsin, a Chinese American immigrant.
Loo Shu-hsin was born into privilege in 1924 Shanghai, and she faced emotional cruelty from her own mother, shaping her parenting.
Jen blends fiction and nonfiction throughout the narrative.
The book also reflects on 20th-century Chinese history, detailing Loo's experiences during the Japanese invasion and the rise of the Communist Party.

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Story summary

Gish Jen's novel Bad Bad Girl explores her complex relationship with her mother, Loo Shu-hsin, a Chinese American immigrant.
Loo Shu-hsin was born into privilege in 1924 Shanghai, and she faced emotional cruelty from her own mother, shaping her parenting.
Jen blends fiction and nonfiction throughout the narrative.
The book also reflects on 20th-century Chinese history, detailing Loo's experiences during the Japanese invasion and the rise of the Communist Party.