The Silent Traveller in New York

by Chiang Yee

Written and illustrated by Chiang Yee, with a preface by Van Wyck Brooks.

Genres: New York, Travel, Nonfiction, China

281 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Chiang Yee (simplified Chinese: 蒋彝; traditional Chinese: 蔣彝; pinyin: Jiǎng Yí; Wade–Giles: Chiang I; 19 May 1903 – 26 October 1977), self-styled as "The Silent Traveller" (哑行者), was a Chinese poet, author, painter and calligrapher.

The success of The Silent Traveller in London (1938) was followed by a series of books in the same vein, all of which he illustrated himself.

Reviews

[mrunmayee · Rating 4 out of 5]

what is it about hating cities initially and then falling so insanely in love with them that you wish they were a person just so you could give them the tightest of hugs

[Kaesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up on a whim at, I think, the Museum of the City of New York, and I'm really glad I did because it was a wonderful read. It is a gentle and sometimes funny account of the author's travels in and around New York City, interspersed with poetry (sometimes quotations, sometimes the author's own) and the author's illustrations -- small cartoony black-and-white pieces, and larger full-page color paintings.

The book was written in the late '40s, so there are some instances of dated and sometimes outright offensive attitudes, which I mention more as a warning to potential readers than a critique; the majority of these are Chiang's descriptions of Westerners telling him absolutely insane "facts" about his own country. He generally presents these incidents as funny rather than upsetting, but he is also careful to explain the facts.

One of my favorite passages, in fact, is the last part of the Chinatown chapter, wherein he leaves his tour group, which has just visited two fake temples wherein tourists can see mystical Eastern traditions of which Chiang has never heard, and pay for the privilege. He expresses admiration for the Chinatown residents who are running this scam, and then, walking along the streets independent of the tour group, he comes upon something called the Chinese Community Club by chance, and has a perfectly nice afternoon learning about the various youth athletic teams the club runs and learning about the actual Chinese community in New York. Of course, the tours would never go there, he says, because it's not particularly exotic to want to maintain and care for your community.

In general, Chiang writes well and vividly, and it was fun to watch him explore some places I have been (and describe many places I have not). I was particularly drawn to his descriptions of places and environments; there is a lovely passage where he shelters under a tree during a rainstorm alongside a sparrow, and his trip up the Hudson River near the end of his stay is also lovely. I maybe found his account of being lost on the subway less relaxing, but it was certainly relatable, and he got where he was going eventually, as people generally do.

[Liz Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting and charming book of his travels around New York. Eye doesn't do the obvious sightseeing or observations that one would expect . He sees things through his own eyes and there is quite a lot of comparison to his home village and area in China. He seems to have a liking for carts of all kinds , such as peanut sellers newspapers , hot dogs , and has done some delightful sketches of these . The trip over on the ship with the GI wives and their babies is interesting and I would have liked to know more . Through the book there is an almost naive thread in his observations which is strange as he comes across as a cultured and well read man . He knows a lot of influential people and seems to be invited to dinner or to stay with them coming across as a likeable man . I've bought more of his books as I find him and his observations fascinating.

[Heaven Protsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chiang Yee, knows as The Silent Traveller, comes to New York from London. Published in 1950, this book is a collection of his thoughts, experiences, and feelings starting from the boarding the ship in England to leaving New York.

The Silent Traveller's writing style is so elegant and classic. It is beautiful and his words easily paint a picture inside your mind of that exact moment in time. I very much enjoyed the descriptions of his experiences in New York City. I love this city more than life itself - any book about it I can get my hands on, I will!

[Helen Geng]

From Yu & Me Books, 44 Mulberry St.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an absolutely charming book. I'm glad I stumbled across it.
Full review to follow...