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Summary | Excerpt | Reading Guide | Reviews | Beyond the book | Read-Alikes | Genres & Themes | Author Bio
Book Reviewed by:Wendy Chin-Tanner has authored two poetry collections: Turn and Anyone Will Tell You. Our First Impressions readers awarded King of the Armadillos, her first novel, an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
What the book is about:
In 1954, Chinese American teenager Victor Chin is diagnosed with leprosy (Hansen's disease). Victor lives with his father and brother in New York City, where his father owns a laundry. His mother remains in China caring for elderly relatives. It is decided that Victor will go to a federal institute in Carville, Louisiana (see Beyond the Book) for treatment of his disease due to the stigma, fears and costs of leprosy. During his stay in Carville, Victor finds friends and a first love, and discovers his talent as a pianist. The reader learns about the Carville institute and treatment of Hansen's disease as well as immigration, family dynamics and teenage ...
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