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Escape to Gold Mountain: A Graphic History of the Chinese in North America
This is a vivid graphic history of the Chinese experience in North America over the last 150 years, beginning with the immigration of Chinese to "Gold Mountain" (the Chinese colloquialism for North America) in the 1800s that resulted in decades of discrimination, subjugation, and separation from loved ones. Based on historical documents and interviews with elders, the book is also the epic story of the Wong family as they traverse these challenges with hope and determination, creating an immigrant's legacy in their new home of North America.
David H.T. Wong is an architect and historian.
David H.T. Wong is an architect and historian.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
20 people are currently reading
505 people want to read
About the author
David H.T. Wong
4 books13 followersDavid H.T. Wong was born and raised in Vancouver. He is an Architect and was trained as a Botanist.
David was recently inducted as an Honorary Witness by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and was named by the Vancouver Sun newspaper as one of British Columbia's "100 influential Chinese-Canadians".
In 2012, he received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal in recognition of his environmental and intercultural work. His first book, "Escape to Gold Mountain" is a best selling graphic novel that narrates a history of the Chinese in North America.
David was recently inducted as an Honorary Witness by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and was named by the Vancouver Sun newspaper as one of British Columbia's "100 influential Chinese-Canadians".
In 2012, he received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal in recognition of his environmental and intercultural work. His first book, "Escape to Gold Mountain" is a best selling graphic novel that narrates a history of the Chinese in North America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
November 3, 2012
Escape to Gold Mountain : A Graphic History of the Chinese in North America by David H.T. Wong is a graphic novel telling the story of the Chinese immigration to the United States and Canada. Mr. Wong is an Asia Canadian activist and an architect in Vancouver.
The graphic novel is laden with dishonor and misery as is the history of Chinese immigration to North America. The Chinese encountered lynches, subjugation racial, cultural and legal discrimination from both countries.
I do remember learning in school (but mainly on my own) about Chinese railroad workers in the United States. I did not realize how badly they were treated after they finished working and that the same thing happened in Canada. The graphic novel shows very clearly how badly these workers were mistreated as well as their ancestors who stuck around either unable or unwilling to go back to China.
This graphic novel is an excellent introduction to the complex issue of Chinese immigration and is told from the Chinese point of view. The graphic novels covers the individual head tax (up to $500, a price of a house) to enter America as well as the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act that basically eliminated Chinese immigration as well as other legislation, lynchings and atrocities.
The story follows the Wong family through the generations and how strong family bonds helped survive economic hardships, discrimination and rough times all around. The author used historical resources, interviews as well as family stories to tell his tale.
The artwork is simple but effective enough to convey the information presented and move the story along. This is an introduction to the complex issue of immigration in general and Chinese immigration in particular. While I don’t feel I know the issue I certainly have much more knowledge about it then when I started and am encouraged to do some more research on the subject.
For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
The graphic novel is laden with dishonor and misery as is the history of Chinese immigration to North America. The Chinese encountered lynches, subjugation racial, cultural and legal discrimination from both countries.
I do remember learning in school (but mainly on my own) about Chinese railroad workers in the United States. I did not realize how badly they were treated after they finished working and that the same thing happened in Canada. The graphic novel shows very clearly how badly these workers were mistreated as well as their ancestors who stuck around either unable or unwilling to go back to China.
This graphic novel is an excellent introduction to the complex issue of Chinese immigration and is told from the Chinese point of view. The graphic novels covers the individual head tax (up to $500, a price of a house) to enter America as well as the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act that basically eliminated Chinese immigration as well as other legislation, lynchings and atrocities.
The story follows the Wong family through the generations and how strong family bonds helped survive economic hardships, discrimination and rough times all around. The author used historical resources, interviews as well as family stories to tell his tale.
The artwork is simple but effective enough to convey the information presented and move the story along. This is an introduction to the complex issue of immigration in general and Chinese immigration in particular. While I don’t feel I know the issue I certainly have much more knowledge about it then when I started and am encouraged to do some more research on the subject.
For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
December 4, 2012
I very much enjoyed this book!
The drawings are lovely and beautifully drawn. Once I started reading, I could not put down the book and have read it over at least twice. The adults will enjoy the story as much as the children-- I was struck by the emotions I felt and my tears that came so readily over and over. My only wish is that the book was longer!
The drawings are lovely and beautifully drawn. Once I started reading, I could not put down the book and have read it over at least twice. The adults will enjoy the story as much as the children-- I was struck by the emotions I felt and my tears that came so readily over and over. My only wish is that the book was longer!
June 24, 2015
A nicely done and very comprehensive graphic novel about the history of the Chinese in the United States and Canada (hence the subtitle about their history in North America). The mark of a good nonfiction is always the ability to take something away, learn a few things, and also be entertained, which I was. I learned about Canada's policies and abuse of the Chinese during those years along with the abusive nature of the US' policies and treatment during that same time-- from burning them out of towns, essentially killing them by disregarding their need for safety measures as they built the railways, and ignoring their contract and wishes regarding their dead or pay.
Absolutely worth picking up-- at times it was overwhelming following the storyline, but worth every piece of information that I sucked from it.
Absolutely worth picking up-- at times it was overwhelming following the storyline, but worth every piece of information that I sucked from it.
January 5, 2019
Quick, how much do you know about the history of the Chinese in American and Canada? What does Gold Mountain refer to? What is a paper son?
If all you know about the Chinese in America is that they helped build the American and Canadian transcontinental railroad, then this book will fill you in on all the rest that the Chinese did when they came here.
This graphic novel was originally going to be called 'The Iron Chink" because of the machine that was invented int he early 1900's to gut fish, and put thousands of Chinese workers out of business. The author thought it would be more striking, but then realize that might turn people off from reading the book, even though that was the name for the machine.
The novel follows a fictional Wong family from the first arrival to the 21st century, where the Canadian government offers an apology for all they did to them.
In between we have all the horrors that happened to the Chinese, such as the working of the railroad, and the loss of life there, to the San Francisco earthquake that allowed for Paper sons, to the head tax in Canada and the barring from the mutual countries, Chinese families still in China.
An excellent introduction to a part of history that is often overlooked and forgotten.
If all you know about the Chinese in America is that they helped build the American and Canadian transcontinental railroad, then this book will fill you in on all the rest that the Chinese did when they came here.
This graphic novel was originally going to be called 'The Iron Chink" because of the machine that was invented int he early 1900's to gut fish, and put thousands of Chinese workers out of business. The author thought it would be more striking, but then realize that might turn people off from reading the book, even though that was the name for the machine.
The novel follows a fictional Wong family from the first arrival to the 21st century, where the Canadian government offers an apology for all they did to them.
In between we have all the horrors that happened to the Chinese, such as the working of the railroad, and the loss of life there, to the San Francisco earthquake that allowed for Paper sons, to the head tax in Canada and the barring from the mutual countries, Chinese families still in China.
An excellent introduction to a part of history that is often overlooked and forgotten.
March 11, 2013
I received this as a first-read book. It was a very interesting book. I knew some of the history being told but not all. The format will make it appealing to youth so hopefully the story of the Chinese in Canada and the U.S. will not be forgotten.
February 7, 2013
This should be mandatory reading for all kids. This book recounts the racism, injustice and exploitation that Chinese immigrants faced in arriving to 'gold mountain'. I will never think of rail in the same way again.
January 5, 2018
We've all heard about Chinese labor helping to build railroads in the 19th Century - such as the transcontinental railroad - but most of us do not know what happened to the Chinese labor after these mega projects were completed. This graphic history of what happened to the Chinese after they were no longer needed as cheap labor in North America is both eye-opening and highly moving.
Although the drawing isn't "fabulous" and the text is not particularly distinguished although it is clear, this book is definitely worthy of praise since it transmits valuable information about the tragic history of Chinese immigrants to the US and Canada in the 19th and 20th C - and what it took for the Chinese community to be accepted as full Canadian and US citizens. The reader will learn the sad story of the struggle of the Chinese immigrant in North America by reading this book. The book also packs an emotional wallop - since the history is conveyed by means of effects of laws and prejudice had on individuals, families, and the community.
"Escape to Gold Mountain" tells the story of Chinese immigration to North America - using a fictionalized story of a family (the Wongs) over several generations on both sides of the Pacific, as well as introducing real characters (such as Sun Yat Sen) into the narrative.
Most of the Chinese immigrants came from four counties near the city of Canton in S. China, drawn to North America by rumors of gold ("Gold Mountain" as the US was called) and job opportunities. Chinese labor in North America was was exploited and workers often cheated; moreover, once projects were completed, Chinese workers were ruthlessly, even murderously, hounded out of mining, agricultural, and other communities.
Chinese communities in the West and Western Canada suffered mass expulsions and massacres; Chinatowns were destroyed throughout the West as Chinese were driven out once their "usefulness" as cheap ended and they were then viewed as competing with whites for jobs. In addition, the Canadian and US governments each enacted various restrictive immigration laws, such that Chinese that were already in North America, were blocked from bringing family members over. Despite the cruelties, prejudice, and terrible hardships, Chinese immigrants persisted in trying to create a better life on a hostile continent. They eventually proved themselves in both world wars and they finally gaining acceptance at institutions of higher education and professional schools. The Chinese also achieved elected office in both countries. Finally, the restrictive immigration laws were rescinded and both the US and Canada officially apologized to the Chinese in North America for the decades of hardship, prejudice, unjust immigration laws, and so forth.
This is the story of a people who for decades could not catch a break: In China, either opportunities were limited, or there were never-ending wars. In North America, once railroad magnates or factory owners had finished with their exploitation of the cheap Chinese labor, the Chinese were expected to return to China, yet the industrious Chinese instead started businesses and farms. Brutal racism often ended these dreams, as racist mobs of white men throughout the Northwest and W. Canada decided that the Chinese were taking away jobs from whites; the mobs descended on Chinatowns, to smash Chinese-owned businesses and drive Chinese out before burning the Chinatowns to the ground. The history of lynchings and massacres of Chinese immigrants and destruction of Chinatowns throughout the West is not not widely known; however, the Chinese were yet another minority that was victimized by mob violence and institutional racism as well as the target of discriminatory immigration laws in Canada and the US. This is probably why what happened to the Chinese in America and Canada is not taught in school - since it is yet another example of how the majority white community picked on minority communities, in this instance, many times looting Chinese homes and businesses after driving out the Chinese before burning down Chinatowns.
An important take-away from the book is how the Chinese were viewed by whites in the 19th Century. The two groups could not communicate, and whites could only imagine what the Chinese were saying (and vice versa). One key to breaking down the barriers of prejudice is removing the reasons for misunderstanding by learning more about other cultures, studying other languages, and at least being courteous to others, if not friendly. The Chinese have exactly the same objectives as anyone else: To work, to make a living, to raise a family, and if possible make a contribution to the community - hopefully with each succeeding generation doing better educationally and financially than the prior generation. In this, the Chinese were no different than anyone else in North America. However, racism was widespread in North America, and anyone who wasn't white, was often, if not usually, mistreated and shunted aside. Things did change in North America after WW2, but prior to the war, racism unfortunately was pervasive and destructive.
Intolerance and prejudice still echo down through the ages - as the howling mobs at Trump rallies attest, and, on a daily basis, as Trump's idiotic tweets and racist comments about Latinos and anyone or any group who is not white, prove. Unfortunately, in the US, the American dream of "all men are created equal" has a long way to go before it is truly accepted by all.
Although the drawing isn't "fabulous" and the text is not particularly distinguished although it is clear, this book is definitely worthy of praise since it transmits valuable information about the tragic history of Chinese immigrants to the US and Canada in the 19th and 20th C - and what it took for the Chinese community to be accepted as full Canadian and US citizens. The reader will learn the sad story of the struggle of the Chinese immigrant in North America by reading this book. The book also packs an emotional wallop - since the history is conveyed by means of effects of laws and prejudice had on individuals, families, and the community.
"Escape to Gold Mountain" tells the story of Chinese immigration to North America - using a fictionalized story of a family (the Wongs) over several generations on both sides of the Pacific, as well as introducing real characters (such as Sun Yat Sen) into the narrative.
Most of the Chinese immigrants came from four counties near the city of Canton in S. China, drawn to North America by rumors of gold ("Gold Mountain" as the US was called) and job opportunities. Chinese labor in North America was was exploited and workers often cheated; moreover, once projects were completed, Chinese workers were ruthlessly, even murderously, hounded out of mining, agricultural, and other communities.
Chinese communities in the West and Western Canada suffered mass expulsions and massacres; Chinatowns were destroyed throughout the West as Chinese were driven out once their "usefulness" as cheap ended and they were then viewed as competing with whites for jobs. In addition, the Canadian and US governments each enacted various restrictive immigration laws, such that Chinese that were already in North America, were blocked from bringing family members over. Despite the cruelties, prejudice, and terrible hardships, Chinese immigrants persisted in trying to create a better life on a hostile continent. They eventually proved themselves in both world wars and they finally gaining acceptance at institutions of higher education and professional schools. The Chinese also achieved elected office in both countries. Finally, the restrictive immigration laws were rescinded and both the US and Canada officially apologized to the Chinese in North America for the decades of hardship, prejudice, unjust immigration laws, and so forth.
This is the story of a people who for decades could not catch a break: In China, either opportunities were limited, or there were never-ending wars. In North America, once railroad magnates or factory owners had finished with their exploitation of the cheap Chinese labor, the Chinese were expected to return to China, yet the industrious Chinese instead started businesses and farms. Brutal racism often ended these dreams, as racist mobs of white men throughout the Northwest and W. Canada decided that the Chinese were taking away jobs from whites; the mobs descended on Chinatowns, to smash Chinese-owned businesses and drive Chinese out before burning the Chinatowns to the ground. The history of lynchings and massacres of Chinese immigrants and destruction of Chinatowns throughout the West is not not widely known; however, the Chinese were yet another minority that was victimized by mob violence and institutional racism as well as the target of discriminatory immigration laws in Canada and the US. This is probably why what happened to the Chinese in America and Canada is not taught in school - since it is yet another example of how the majority white community picked on minority communities, in this instance, many times looting Chinese homes and businesses after driving out the Chinese before burning down Chinatowns.
An important take-away from the book is how the Chinese were viewed by whites in the 19th Century. The two groups could not communicate, and whites could only imagine what the Chinese were saying (and vice versa). One key to breaking down the barriers of prejudice is removing the reasons for misunderstanding by learning more about other cultures, studying other languages, and at least being courteous to others, if not friendly. The Chinese have exactly the same objectives as anyone else: To work, to make a living, to raise a family, and if possible make a contribution to the community - hopefully with each succeeding generation doing better educationally and financially than the prior generation. In this, the Chinese were no different than anyone else in North America. However, racism was widespread in North America, and anyone who wasn't white, was often, if not usually, mistreated and shunted aside. Things did change in North America after WW2, but prior to the war, racism unfortunately was pervasive and destructive.
Intolerance and prejudice still echo down through the ages - as the howling mobs at Trump rallies attest, and, on a daily basis, as Trump's idiotic tweets and racist comments about Latinos and anyone or any group who is not white, prove. Unfortunately, in the US, the American dream of "all men are created equal" has a long way to go before it is truly accepted by all.
March 14, 2014
Disclaimer: I won this book as part of the Goodreads first-read program.
A beautifully done graphic novel depicting the history of the Chinese in both America and Canada. The history begins in the mid-1850's with the Chinese coming to California to work in the gold fields of Sutter's Mill. Thus the title. As the gold runs out the Chinese are hired to help build the Transcontinental Railways in both America and Canada. When the railroads are finished the Chinese workers are pushed into unemployment and poverty. As history progresses the Chinese become the victims of more and more hatred and bigotry. Even being targeted by Exclusionary Acts passed in both Countries. But the determination of these hard working people is displayed in this wonderful book.
I highly recommend it for those who want a fun way to learn a little history in a short time.
A beautifully done graphic novel depicting the history of the Chinese in both America and Canada. The history begins in the mid-1850's with the Chinese coming to California to work in the gold fields of Sutter's Mill. Thus the title. As the gold runs out the Chinese are hired to help build the Transcontinental Railways in both America and Canada. When the railroads are finished the Chinese workers are pushed into unemployment and poverty. As history progresses the Chinese become the victims of more and more hatred and bigotry. Even being targeted by Exclusionary Acts passed in both Countries. But the determination of these hard working people is displayed in this wonderful book.
I highly recommend it for those who want a fun way to learn a little history in a short time.
February 20, 2014
Wong, David H.T. Escape to Gold Mountain: A Graphic History of the Chinese in North America. Arsenal Pulp Press, 2012.
This book details the experience of Chinese-Americans who emigrated and then worked to build the railroads both in the United States and in Canada. The historical events surrounding this time period - including the 1906 San Francisco earthquake - are included. The artwork is well done and appropriate to telling the story. I do not have a copy of this book in my library, but I wish I did. My students would enjoy the graphic format, and the book would inform them about a time period that is often glossed over in American history textbooks.
Recommended for: tweens, teens
Red Flags: violence, racial slurs
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
This book details the experience of Chinese-Americans who emigrated and then worked to build the railroads both in the United States and in Canada. The historical events surrounding this time period - including the 1906 San Francisco earthquake - are included. The artwork is well done and appropriate to telling the story. I do not have a copy of this book in my library, but I wish I did. My students would enjoy the graphic format, and the book would inform them about a time period that is often glossed over in American history textbooks.
Recommended for: tweens, teens
Red Flags: violence, racial slurs
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
July 14, 2013
I understand some of the reviews that say the story is a bit jumpy, and there were times I was wishing for a lot more detail, but it is a graphic novel, after all. I think this book would be great for young people who want to know their heritage, as not only does it tell the story of the past but also includes references for learning more. Not only did this book make me think about the Chinese and how they were treated in North America, but it also made me think of other immigrant groups as well, and made me want to know more about how my ancestors may have been treated. In that way, this book is a success.
July 10, 2013
What a lovely book! I learned a bunch of things that I didn't know before. Coming from a Chinese American history junky, that's saying something. Wong does a great job weaving in histories of three countries that revolve around six generations of his family. If anyone wants a quick and dirty tale of the Chinese in North America, this is it. This graphic novel would serve as a nice historical reference if someone wants to research in more depth some of he topics raised. Best part...there are pictures!! Can't go wrong with history with pictures.
March 27, 2017
This book is on a too often overlooked topic, which makes me more disappointed the execution is lacking. It is full of essential information about Chinese ppl in NA from the mid-1800s to the present, which is a feat since this is a huge complex topic. It does succeed in educating readers about horrific historical racism. But the narrative is pretty disjointed, and the art is...not that good? Very much a flawed 1st book that needs better editing especially support for the visual elements and the organization.
December 6, 2012
I don't read graphic novels, but a friend lent me her copy. I really enjoyed this book. Couldn't put it down. Some very nice drawings and a good storyline. This is an excellent way to captivate a young reader on the often difficult stories of racism and history. Even the language used in this book is relevant to the young person, and bonus!-- some interesting historic curse words peppered throughout.
April 2, 2013
Excellent graphic novel about the history of the Chinese in the Pacific Northwest. I actually learned a lot about the history of the Chinese in the States, and was able to see how it influenced what happened with the Chinese in British Columbia.
I learned a lot from reading this book.
I learned a lot from reading this book.
May 3, 2013
REal cool book!
I didn;t know much about the contributions the Chinese made to America. Man this book is an eye opener. Drawings were great! A great format to teach history. Hope they republish it in color next time!!!
I didn;t know much about the contributions the Chinese made to America. Man this book is an eye opener. Drawings were great! A great format to teach history. Hope they republish it in color next time!!!
January 15, 2013
I don't usually read graphic novels. I really enjoyed this book though. The artwork was very good and it had a good storyline.
*Won on Goodreads*
*Won on Goodreads*
February 3, 2013
I received a free copy from the Goodreads First Reads Program. It was my first graphic novel. Not bad.
September 4, 2022
One of the most solidly educational and enjoyable graphic novels I have read, up there with Gord Hill's "The 500 Years of Resistance Comic Book" and David F. Walker's "The Black Panther Party A Graphic Novel History".
June 29, 2023
Graphic novel detailing the history of the Chinese in the United States and Canada from years of racist discrimination and exclusion to the determined activism that finally resulted in formal apologies by both countries. This should be in all K-12 curriculums.
July 23, 2017
As far as an ouvre d’art goes… I’m not much moved. The writing is stilted and awkward, the drawings are rough and graphically enhanced in uncomfortable ways… The greatest claim to fame for this book is that it is the first graphic history of the Chinese in North America. Which is very much laudable, I suppose, but I wish that the emphasis was not only the first-ness of it, but rather that there had been greater care in the product itself, in order to make it a first to be earnestly proud of. The comic book as a medium for telling unorthodox stories in unorthodox ways has been incredible, with rich works like Maus and Persepolis – but this is not on par with either of those. The symbolism is dry and uncomplicated, the incredible layers and complications of Chinese American history are flattened… And for that, I’m pretty disappointed.
This book, I feel, had the potential to be so much more than it is. I think in some way the book’s overtly political goal – to be the first graphic history about Chinese Americans and Chinese Canadians – caused its downfall. It was an idealized landmark but that ideal was more important than the work itself. So much is left out. North America does not include just Canada and America, but Mexico as well. Discrimination is not a one-way street, either. Famous historical figures float in and out without any sort of grounding, either, and the central characters are similarly flat.
What needed to happen, I think, and what I wanted to see happen, was to have not a “graphic history” – for a history is too richly loaded and heavy to encompass all that ought to be – but instead to have a “graphic novel.” Fiction – a far more fictionalized fiction than this, where the fiction is merely a vehicle through which history passes rather than through which history is tangled and problematized and intensely personal – would have allowed this to be so much more powerful. But instead we have awkward drawings, awkward photoshopping, awkward dialogue, awkward plot that is forced along an axis toward “progress.”
This book, I feel, had the potential to be so much more than it is. I think in some way the book’s overtly political goal – to be the first graphic history about Chinese Americans and Chinese Canadians – caused its downfall. It was an idealized landmark but that ideal was more important than the work itself. So much is left out. North America does not include just Canada and America, but Mexico as well. Discrimination is not a one-way street, either. Famous historical figures float in and out without any sort of grounding, either, and the central characters are similarly flat.
What needed to happen, I think, and what I wanted to see happen, was to have not a “graphic history” – for a history is too richly loaded and heavy to encompass all that ought to be – but instead to have a “graphic novel.” Fiction – a far more fictionalized fiction than this, where the fiction is merely a vehicle through which history passes rather than through which history is tangled and problematized and intensely personal – would have allowed this to be so much more powerful. But instead we have awkward drawings, awkward photoshopping, awkward dialogue, awkward plot that is forced along an axis toward “progress.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2016
This book has flaws that shouldn't stop you from reading it: the art is awkward and often downright bad. Dialog and narration carry the story, and much is told, not shown. It is written from a Chinese American perspective, which often paints white people as straw men, devious, greedy, thieving, the worst of humanity's ills. While this is an effective storytelling technique when cramming 88 years of history into one volume, subtlety often requiring room to focus on more than a handful of characters and their perspectives, be aware of it before you go in. You're not going to see many sympathetic white people in here, although I'm sure a few do exist in history. But this is not a story about Not All White People.
So if the art is poor, the white characters stereotypes, and the story told in conversation more than action, why would I recommend you read this? Simple: it will round out a large portion of untold American history. While the tale is dialog-based, the story has a nice pace and squeezed a few tears out of me by the end. That's remarkable for a story with so many handicaps.
I can only imagine what this would have been if it had gone through a publishing house with a dedicated penciled and layout artist. But then, it is often better to have something imperfect than nothing at all.
Imperfect but worthy of your time.
So if the art is poor, the white characters stereotypes, and the story told in conversation more than action, why would I recommend you read this? Simple: it will round out a large portion of untold American history. While the tale is dialog-based, the story has a nice pace and squeezed a few tears out of me by the end. That's remarkable for a story with so many handicaps.
I can only imagine what this would have been if it had gone through a publishing house with a dedicated penciled and layout artist. But then, it is often better to have something imperfect than nothing at all.
Imperfect but worthy of your time.
October 21, 2014
As a teaching resource, I think this is a great look at the role played by the Chinese in westward expansion, and their place in the history of The United States and Canada. It follows one family's journey from their leaving China to the current day, looking at how society and circumstances changed their lives. There are cameos by major players, and glimpses of the mistreatment and successes of the family as they do their best to survive. The art is functional, and there is a LOT of information and connections to history.
As entertainment, it's lacking. The author's (noble) goal is clear -- he's telling the reader about things they probably haven't read before. But he's covering so many years that it's hard to feel emotionally tied to the characters, even as we see all the hardships they've endured. This is not to say that there are not emotionally affecting parts, simply that they lack the immediacy of having a "point of view" character involved in them. But, again, I don't think this was Wong's point, as the book serves more as a historical introduction than an escape.
This book belongs in schools and libraries. It should be used in history classes to supplement the current curriculum and showcase issues that typically aren't covered.
As entertainment, it's lacking. The author's (noble) goal is clear -- he's telling the reader about things they probably haven't read before. But he's covering so many years that it's hard to feel emotionally tied to the characters, even as we see all the hardships they've endured. This is not to say that there are not emotionally affecting parts, simply that they lack the immediacy of having a "point of view" character involved in them. But, again, I don't think this was Wong's point, as the book serves more as a historical introduction than an escape.
This book belongs in schools and libraries. It should be used in history classes to supplement the current curriculum and showcase issues that typically aren't covered.
February 11, 2013
This is an important story but I wish it was told better. I didn't care for the art or the storytelling. I like the idea of a multigenerational story told in graphic novel form using historical events to inform the story but I found it to be overly episodic and a little disjointed with the art being a little clumsy at times and the use of computer imagery to create 3D objects like buildings to be distracting.
Having said that though, it's worth a look for the history of how Chinese immigrants were treated in the US and Canada. Seeing the history of hardworking immigrants working for pennies and being treated horribly when they're not needed and being purged with calls of they're taking our jobs all has a depressingly familiar ring to it.
Having said that though, it's worth a look for the history of how Chinese immigrants were treated in the US and Canada. Seeing the history of hardworking immigrants working for pennies and being treated horribly when they're not needed and being purged with calls of they're taking our jobs all has a depressingly familiar ring to it.
December 27, 2012
2013 IRA Young Adult Nonfiction Nominee. Graphic Novel that presents a history of Chinese Americans starting with the immigration to the West Coast, work in the fisheries, on the transcontinental railroad in US and Canada. Details discriminatory immigration policies and future apologies. The book gets compressed a bit at the end as historical firsts are profiles quickly. The book presents a lot of interesting information in a very accessible manner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2015
actually more like 3.5 stars. this graphic novel is very well done and brings the story of Chinese history in Canada and US to life. It was easy to read and very informative. Its purpose is to record history so if you're looking for more fictionn then this may not be your choice. But if you want a really good overview of Chinese life in the America's, this is a great read.
January 4, 2023
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
The history is solid. I consider myself knowledgeable on the history of the Chinese in America (and based on sources, it looks like the author also readThe Chinese in America: A Narrative History which was formative for me), but I am less familiar with the parallel history in Canada. From the notes, it sounds like the Mr. Wong started with Canada but then realized it's impossible to tell that story without going over the greater North American diaspora experience. Sort of like Laurence Yep's Golden Mountain Chronicles, the (fictional?) Wong family in the graphic novel happen to be around a lot of key moments in history, including Sun Yat-Sen's travels to Hawaii and North America (I'm not familiar with the history in general, so I didn't know he briefly went to school in Hawaii!) The author's family history is similar to my own but with a few extra generations (in general, from a pre-1965 immigration wave and thus familiar with exclusion and other barriers), so I do get the intent here.
The art is... okay. There are some kids with grown up faces and odd proportions, and there are some parts that I can tell are redraws of iconic plates like the Rock Springs Massacre. I read Iris Chang's book at age 13, and while Escape to Gold Mountain is intended as an introduction to our history, I think I'd be more inclined to have the kids read The Chinese in America first instead, depending on their reading level/attention span. I feel pretty good about the school district kiddo will grow up in, but keeping this on hand anyway to cover since I had to learn on my own about our history.
Actually, yeah- for a middle grade look at a fictionalized treatment of the Chinese in North America, I'd recommend Laurence Yep's Golden Mountain Chronicles instead. The Traitor is my favorite, and covers the aforementioned Rock Springs Massacre in Wyoming from the eyes of a teenage boy.
The history is solid. I consider myself knowledgeable on the history of the Chinese in America (and based on sources, it looks like the author also readThe Chinese in America: A Narrative History which was formative for me), but I am less familiar with the parallel history in Canada. From the notes, it sounds like the Mr. Wong started with Canada but then realized it's impossible to tell that story without going over the greater North American diaspora experience. Sort of like Laurence Yep's Golden Mountain Chronicles, the (fictional?) Wong family in the graphic novel happen to be around a lot of key moments in history, including Sun Yat-Sen's travels to Hawaii and North America (I'm not familiar with the history in general, so I didn't know he briefly went to school in Hawaii!) The author's family history is similar to my own but with a few extra generations (in general, from a pre-1965 immigration wave and thus familiar with exclusion and other barriers), so I do get the intent here.
The art is... okay. There are some kids with grown up faces and odd proportions, and there are some parts that I can tell are redraws of iconic plates like the Rock Springs Massacre. I read Iris Chang's book at age 13, and while Escape to Gold Mountain is intended as an introduction to our history, I think I'd be more inclined to have the kids read The Chinese in America first instead, depending on their reading level/attention span. I feel pretty good about the school district kiddo will grow up in, but keeping this on hand anyway to cover since I had to learn on my own about our history.
Actually, yeah- for a middle grade look at a fictionalized treatment of the Chinese in North America, I'd recommend Laurence Yep's Golden Mountain Chronicles instead. The Traitor is my favorite, and covers the aforementioned Rock Springs Massacre in Wyoming from the eyes of a teenage boy.
September 25, 2021
A very thru histroy about why Chinese people immigrate to Canada / US. A must book for school social studies class since our governemnt still afraid to talk deeper about Chinese histroy in North America.
I learned about "Iron Chink, | industry, racism | An early 20th century machine for butchering salmon that revolutionized the canning industry by increasing efficiencies and lowering costs Invented in 1903 and introduced to BC canneries in 1906, this industrial tool – so named because it replaced 27 out of every 30 mainly Chinese workers in the industry – was developed in Seattle by Canadian-born Edmund A. Smith and sold up and down the West Coast from Oregon to Alaska. Some modern historians have preferred to refer to the apparatus as the ‘Iron Butcher’ to avoid touching on the racism of the era in which it originated (back when white supremacists went on a violent rampage through Vancouver’s Chinatown and Japantown neighbourhoods), but the machine was unapologetically marketed and sold as the ‘Iron Chink’ through several iterations with the derogatory name proudly cast in iron on many of them."
"Denis Kearney (1847–1907) was a California labor leader from Ireland who was active in the late 19th century and was known for his racist views about Chinese immigrants"
"George Frisbie Hoar - He opposed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, describing it as "nothing less than the legalization of racial discrimination. Taking the ground that the principles embodied in the Declaration of Independence, that all men are created free and equal, is the cardinal principle upon which this Government is established, he went on to declare that no question of policy could be made a pretext for setting it aside to make a distinction against any race of men. He said that all the arguments against the negroes used years ago were now applied to the Chinese."
"William Johnston Almon asked: “How will it be now if we pass [this] Act to say that there is a dividing line between Canada and the United States? … Can we any longer point with pride to our flag and say that under that emblem all men, be they Mongolian, Circassian or Caucasian, are equally free?”"
I learned about "Iron Chink, | industry, racism | An early 20th century machine for butchering salmon that revolutionized the canning industry by increasing efficiencies and lowering costs Invented in 1903 and introduced to BC canneries in 1906, this industrial tool – so named because it replaced 27 out of every 30 mainly Chinese workers in the industry – was developed in Seattle by Canadian-born Edmund A. Smith and sold up and down the West Coast from Oregon to Alaska. Some modern historians have preferred to refer to the apparatus as the ‘Iron Butcher’ to avoid touching on the racism of the era in which it originated (back when white supremacists went on a violent rampage through Vancouver’s Chinatown and Japantown neighbourhoods), but the machine was unapologetically marketed and sold as the ‘Iron Chink’ through several iterations with the derogatory name proudly cast in iron on many of them."
"Denis Kearney (1847–1907) was a California labor leader from Ireland who was active in the late 19th century and was known for his racist views about Chinese immigrants"
"George Frisbie Hoar - He opposed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, describing it as "nothing less than the legalization of racial discrimination. Taking the ground that the principles embodied in the Declaration of Independence, that all men are created free and equal, is the cardinal principle upon which this Government is established, he went on to declare that no question of policy could be made a pretext for setting it aside to make a distinction against any race of men. He said that all the arguments against the negroes used years ago were now applied to the Chinese."
"William Johnston Almon asked: “How will it be now if we pass [this] Act to say that there is a dividing line between Canada and the United States? … Can we any longer point with pride to our flag and say that under that emblem all men, be they Mongolian, Circassian or Caucasian, are equally free?”"
March 16, 2021
As a Social Studies teacher, I can say that this book does an impressive job covering the scope of Chinese contributions to the building of America and Canada while also documenting the harsh prejudices they faced. I even learned about a few developments I had not heard of before. Unfortunately, I did not find the book very engaging at several points as it reminded me a lot of when my students make comics about historical events: a lot of awkward dialogue as they try to shoe horn in some more historical facts. It also felt unrealistic that his characters would become such good friends with famous figures from the time, like Emily Carr and Dr. Sun Yat Sen. The art wasn’t as visually appealing as it could have been (a lot of awkward proportions, young characters who looked ancient, etc.), but it was always clear who was who and what was going on in each scene, so the enhanced the story in that respect. Overall, worth the read if you want to improve your understanding of the history of the Chinese in North America, but not if you’re looking for an engrossing graphic novel.
June 28, 2022
I hated the art style (it actually looked like the computer-generated toons my middle school teachers forced us to play around with) and the characters were not engaging or sympathetic at all. I understand that the main point of the book was to be educational and not entertaining but because the information was not presented in an engaging way, I left not really feeling like I’d learned anything new. That being said, I did already know much of the information presented in the book, so this graphic novel might better serve someone with less background in the topic--nonetheless, I wouldn't recommend this one.
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