Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City: A Memoir

Wong grew up in New Jersey in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the child of Chinese immigrants chasing the American dream. Through a series of vignettes, she shares glimpses into her life. She draws on her gift as a published poet, inviting listeners to share her experiences through her lyrical, descriptive prose. She tackles each scene with fervor, relaying memories of playing hide-and-seek with her brother (trying to see if she could trick him into entering her family’s restaurant’s walk-in freezer), abusive moments with an ex, times when she accompanied her mother through Chinatown’s shady dental trade, and racist interactions with strangers. Wong narrates the recording herself, imparting the nuance and gravitas that can only come from someone intimately familiar with their own words. Her story is beautiful and heartbreaking, interwoven with the theme of love for her mother. The poetic, episodic format may be a challenge for listeners used to a narrative-style memoir, but this is a treat for readers seeking a collage of memories and stories.