Amy Tan's early experiences profoundly informed her literary voice. Growing up in a Chinese American family, she was exposed to the complexities of immigrant life and the struggles between cultural identity and assimilation. Her relationship with her mother was particularly influential, as it shaped her understanding of communication and the nuances of familial love and expectation. These themes are prevalent in her works, where she explores the intersection of memory, identity, and the immigrant experience. Tan's own challenges in boldly expressing her voice against societal norms resonate throughout her stories, culminating in a rich narrative style that reflects both personal and collective histories.