Picture Bride

by C. Fong Hsiung

Following the India-China war of 1962, the Chinese Indians (the Hakka), fearing suspicion and hostility, begin to emigrate. Twenty-year-old Jillian Wu leaves Calcutta to marry a man she has never met—Peter Chou, also a Hakka—with much anticipation, only to discover that he is gay. Forced by her husband to keep up the charade of a “normal” marriage, and pressured by her in-laws to have a child, she flees back to Calcutta, only to be disowned by her conservative family. A moving story with political overtones, set during a period of changing times and changing values.

200 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2014

About the author

C Fong Hsiung entered the writing world with a short story, Alfie, published by Life Rattle Press. She has authored three novels, Picture Bride (TSAR Publications), New Land Same Sky (Mawenzi House), and Learning Dangerously (Jeredis Publications). Fong lives in Canada. If she isn't writing, she's riding her bike on the roads or hiking in the forests. If she isn't reading, she's listening to a podcast or an audio book. If she isn't kicking up her feet, she's exercising or practicing yoga. Time is too precious to waste. Life is short, so stay curious and keep learning.

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was interesting to read about how arranged marriages and old world traditions clash with western culture. This book proved once again that love always wins.

[Toks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture Bride is set in the 1960s in a Hakka community. Jillian Wu is sent to Canada to marry Peter a man she's never met at the behest of her parents and community. What was at first a cold and uncomfortable marriage turns physically and emotionally violent when Jillian discovers her husband is gay and did not want a wife. Between being a new immigrant, maintaining the illusion of being happily married and isolation is a story about finding your own way.

I really enjoyed the fullness and lushness of the writing. Even when description is sparse, the minimalist writing still paints a vivid picture. The emotional heft of Jillian's confusion, her adjustments, her courage and fear is borne out fantastically. The way our protagonist's immigration experience is borne out, from Peter threatening her with her immigration status to the journey back home for the first time, is grounded from a reality.

Also though I'm familiar with Chinese Indians, I really enjoy how bits and pieces of Hakka culture is given here. If anything, I would have liked to see more of the traditions outside of the characters themselves.

I'm pretty much convinced some of the best diverse Canadian literature lives at Mawenzi House after reading Ghosts of Smyrna and Picture Bride. I can't wait to see what they come out with next.

Full disclosure: I received this book as a review copy from Mawenzi House (formerly Tsar Publications) in exchange for an honest review.

[World Literature Today]

This book was featured in the Nota Benes section of the Sept/Oct 2015 issue of World Literature Today Magazine.

http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/2...

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this account of the clash of cultures between traditional Hakka culture of the Chinese in Calcutta, versus modern Canadian freedom. The homey details add color and interest.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely story, likable characters. Good read