The Strength of Water: An Asian American Coming of Age Memoir with Karin K. Jensen | #142

About this episode

Karin K. Jensen discusses her memoir 'The Strength of Water', detailing her mother's journey of survival and resilience during reverse immigration from the U.S. to China in the 1930s.

Discover The Strength of Water memoir, a powerful story of Chinese reverse immigration. Learn how one woman survived moving from 1920s Detroit to a rural Chinese village. Episode Resources: Get your copy of "The Strength of Water" by Karin K. Jensen Connect with Karin K. Jensen In this incredible interview, author Karin K. Jensen shares the astonishing true story behind The Strength of Water memoir, a book that details her mother's unbelievable journey of perseverance. Born in America, her mother Helen was taken to a remote Chinese peasant village in the 1930s at just 11 years old. After surviving war, disease, and near-starvation, she fought her way back to the United States alone as a teenager. How does a person endure such immense hardship and not only survive, but build a life of strength and independence? This episode uncovers a story of resilience you won't soon forget. Join us as we explore the profound narrative of this unique memoir about a Chinese mother, as told by her daughter and author, Karin K. Jensen. We delve into the complex history that shaped this family's destiny, starting with the paper sons and daughters history that allowed her grandfather to immigrate to…

People in this episode

Host: Books & Looks

Guest: Karin K. Jensen

Topics covered

• Asian American memoir
• reverse immigration
• resilience
• family history
• cultural identity
• perseverance

Keywords

• memoir
• Chinese immigration
• cultural shock
• family narrative
• historical context
• survival story
• strength
• independence

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Chinese Exclusion Act

Books & works: The Strength of Water

Places: Detroit, China, U.S.

More episodes of Books & Looks

• Same Beginning, Same End: The Entwined Lives of Adams and Jefferson · June 12, 2026 · 44 min
• How Nature Tells Time without a Clock · May 29, 2026 · 43 min
• The 1909 Race Henry Ford Cheated to Win - Eric Moskowitz on "The Hardest, Longest Race" · May 19, 2026 · 44 min
• The true story of America's first dance battle ft. April F. Masten · April 16, 2026 · 48 min
• The Secret Math System That Broke Casinos ft. Kit Chellel · April 6, 2026 · 44 min
• The 2,000-Year History of Mac and Cheese · March 26, 2026 · 47 min