Unpolished Gem is a memoir by Alice Pung. Alice’s parents, Kuan and Kien, have just immigrated to Australia. Before long, Alice is born. Her father is employed in a local factory while her mother stays at home. Alice learns that they were initially living in China from her grandmother, Huyen Thai. Thai and Alice have developed a strong bond to the chagrin of her mother. Kien doesn’t like Huyen and vice-versa. However, Alice loves them all. Huyen Thai tells Alice stories about China. As luck would have it, Kien starts selling pieces of jewelry. Therefore, Alice is compelled by circumstances to spend more time with her grandmother. Huyen teaches her grandchild Chinese culture-urging her to be proud of it.
Kien directs Alice to take care of her young ones. The turn of events is prompted by the leaving of Huyen Thai to Que’s house. Que is Huyen’s daughter. Alice feels annoyed by taking care of her siblings and, at the same time, going to school. Later, her mother becomes allergic to certain chemicals leading to her staying at home. Huyen Thai also gets sick and passes away. Alice is devastated by her grandmother’s death. The demise of her grandma makes her get into depression. However, her parents take her to the hospital, where she is given depression medication. Awkwardly, Alice fails to take medicines as instructed by the doctor. She is not sure of passing exams because she has not been concentrating on studies.
Nevertheless, when the results are finally out, Alice realizes that she has passed well. As a result, she secures a placement position at the University of Melbourne. Before joining the university, she helps her mother in running the business. At university, she meets a handsome boy called Michael, and the two hit it off immediately. However, they break up before long. Subsequently, Alice leads a happy life.
