When four Chinese immigrant mothers meet through their church in 1949, they begin to play mahjong together, forming what eventually becomes the Joy Luck Club. The novel, which centers around these women and their first-generation daughters, tells varied stories about what it means to live, work, and love as an immigrant, with a focus on the bond of female empowerment. This essential edition presents readers with essays that examine women's issues in The Joy Luck Club, discussing topics such as gender and ethnic identity, cultural conflict, and stereotypes about immigrant women. The text also explores contemporary perspectives on women's issues in relation to immigration, urging readers to contextualize the themes of the novel within the issues of the present.