Finding Samuel Lowe: China, Jamaica, Harlem

by Paula Williams Madison

Spanning four generations and moving between New York, Jamaica, and China, a powerful memoir that is a universal story of one woman’s search for her maternal grandfather and the key to her self-identity. Thanks to her spiteful, jealous Jamaican mother, Nell Vera Lowe was cut off from her Chinese father, Samuel, when she was just a baby, after he announced he was taking a Chinese bride. By the time Nell was old enough to travel to her father’s shop in St. Ann’s Bay, he’d taken his family back to China, never learning what became of his eldest daughter. Bereft, Nell left Jamaica for New York to start a new life. But her Asian features set her apart from her Harlem neighbors and even her own children—a difference that contributed to her feeling of loneliness and loss which she instilled in her only daughter, Paula. Years later, with a successful corporate career behind her and the arrival of her only grandchild raising questions about family and legacy, Paula decided to search for Samuel Lowe’s descendants in China. With the support of her brothers and the help of encouraging strangers, Paula eventually pieced together the full story of her grandfather’s life, following his story from China to Jamaica and back, and connecting with 300 surprised relatives who were overjoyed to meet her. Finding Samuel Lowe is a remarkable journey about one woman’s path to self-discovery. It is a story about love and devotion that transcends time and race, and a beautiful reflection of the power of family and the interconnectedness of our world. Finding Samuel Lowe includes a 16-page black-and-white photo insert and photos in the text.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, History, China, Biography, Biography Memoir, Audiobook

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 14, 2015

Reviews

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found so much of this informative and eye opening. I loved learning the history of Chinese migrants in Jamaica and what their experiences were like, especially in terms of race relations in the country. The story of Samuel Lowe’s various wives, children, and families is fascinating, and I wish there had been more on what had happened to him when he returned to China. The struggles the families went through, whether due to political turmoil or a history of fractured families, emotionally engaged me as a reader. I felt for the people who never knew their parents or who tried so hard to protect their children at all costs.

What I could not stand, however, were two things: 1) the author’s strange exoticism/romanticization of Chinese people and culture and 2) the constant interjection of her ego into the story. She constantly brings up how small habits of hers (like believing babies shouldn’t attend funerals or thinking family, prosperity, and education are important) are clear indicators of her being Chinese/Hakka. I’m sorry, people from all cultures think those things are important. It is not distinct.

She also brings up how suddenly she feels like she’s found her home: “I was one of them. I was transformed from a tourist to a local.” I cringe at this since as a Chinese American, even I feel like an alien when I visit family in Taiwan. I can’t help but wonder whether the author extended this amount of connection when she visited Jamaica. Did she not feel the same bond with people there? Did she not also feel immense pride? She expresses how proud she is of the Chinese family tree that traces back hundreds of years in China, but if she can’t trace her family in Jamaica back as far, is she any less proud of her Jamaican roots? There is a sense of elitism in her description of how she finally feels like she belongs in the world. Would she still feel broken if there was no clan village turned into museum, no extensively recorded family tree?

Then there are the strange self-indulging comments about owning the LA Sparks (brought up at least 3-4 times), and how all this wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t worked so hard to find out about her grandfather. Applause applause for her. Sure, she pushed to find out about her grandfather, but a lot of other people were part of the discovery, along with pure luck. However, an in inordinate amount of text is spent reminding us of her role.

TLDR: All in all, I enjoyed the historical parts about her grandfather and her mother. Less so the bits about reconnecting with family in China and the self congratulatory narration, which could’ve been reduced to 1/3 of what it was. She could’ve made this more about questioning what family means to us, and how it defines our identities. But it felt less like an attempt to connect with readers on a larger topic and more like a bragfest or long journey entry.

[Megan Stroup Tristao · Rating 2 out of 5]

*I am not assigning star ratings in 2019 as a personal experiment*

Read this book as part of the Silicon Valley Reads program at my library. Was fortunate to see the author speak; she included a lot of general history about the Hakka people that wasn't in the book, so that was interesting and added to the story.

[Constance Chevalier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Fascinating. Looking for her grandfather, who left her mother when she was three, made trips from Jamaica to China and finally settled there. She researched, interviewed and met with relatives until she uncovered many stories.

[Nicole Means · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story of one woman’s quest to find her roots but it is also, hidden in her story, is a very readable history of Jamaica and China’s connections. The author recounts how these histories are interconnected and then brings the connections back full circle to explain how Chinese are returning to Jamaica as investors. The resentment from earlier immigrant waves that Jamaicans have felt toward Chinese still exist today. Despite these animosities, the connection between the two countries is important. I enjoyed the brief history lesson and the story of immigration. During her research, the author was able to reconnect with so many of her relatives. Although this was the point of the book, I was much more interested in the history of her family and the connections between these two countries.

[Jeanette Krogstad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to learn about the Chinese in Jamaica. As with many books written around genealogy, the story is most interesting to those it directly impacts. I found it dragged a bit in the second half.

[Mark Isaak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the descriptions of Jamaican and Chinese culture and how they intersect, as well as similar descriptions of immigrants in Harlem. The story of how the research was accomplished which led ultimately to the big family reunion had interesting parts but never, to me, felt like a coherent story. A lot of the book was about people I didn't know, often with nothing to make their lives relevant to mine. To make it worse, there was no family tree diagram to refresh my memory of who everyone was. And Samuel Lowe had a lot of descendants (and wife and mistresses) to keep track of. A chapter near the end tells of Roosevelt Williams (Paula's husband), whose attitude to the reunion initially was, "I'm only doing this because I love you," but who found a place once people were freely lubricated with Moutai (a sorghum whiskey). My attitude paralleled Roosevelt's, except without the love or the liquor.

[Hoan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read about having a life that spans across many cultures and beliefs. Being Chinese American, the stories told really resonated with me and the author's search for lost family made me question my own family ties and lost loved ones from family matters. I loved reading about her personal journey to discovery and understanding of her broader self-identity. The incredible stories of finding her extended and once long lost relatives was rewarding and emotional. The author's passion, energy and zest for finding her family came to life and it was a wonderful journey to experience her ups and downs along the way. It really does open up the conversation about families and the composition that helps define who we are across so many generations. Superb book and this has definitely become a favorite read. It felt deep and soul touching.

[Ralph Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reason I read this book was because it was chosen by a book group that I joined. It is so far away from what I normally read, and I read a very wide range of book types, that it would probably never shown up on my book radar. I am very glad I read it. It is one very facinating read. Enjoyed it immensely.

[Krissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. There were parts where I felt like I was reading a history textbook but I still liked it. I loved Paula's drive to discover her family history. Makes me want to go on my own little journey! All in all, it was a good read.

[Leila B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, you can't make this up. The author was the child of a Chinese/Jamaican mother and a Jamaican father. Her maternal grandfather left Jamaica after taking a "Chinese bride," leaving Paula's mother behind.

[T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paula Williams Madison. NBC exec. Owner of a WNBA team. Black and proud and in search of knowing her mother's story. A story that began in Jamaica. A story of being half Chinese. A story of being protective of her family due to the separation from her Chinese father and not knowing his roots, his family, her other half-siblings.

A story of successfully finding her grandfather's family in China and the even greater story of being successfully integrated with those aunts, uncles, cousins from all around the world.

[Audrey Trainor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Race and immigration are so much more complex than most White Americans understands. The transnational tale of family introduced me to Hakka and the Jamaican-China migration pathways. Much appreciated for the history lesson. In some parts, the author pivots far inside herself, but she emerges with a great last couple of chapters. Her emphasis on blood relatives was interesting and I wondered how chosen and adopted families might be different and similar. Put differently, I wondered why the author was so connected to blood relatives? Maybe it was more about shared history?

[Kinyorda Sliwiak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ranking memoirs is always difficult. This memoir taught me about the experience of Chinese Jamaicans and Jamaican Americans. This is a section of the population that I know very little about and definitively different from mine as a black American. While I appreciated the historical info, the memoir part was lacking for me. The author looses focus and deviates from her original story too often. There are too many names and generations to keep clear and the long detours make the story drag.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was moderately interesting. An American biracial woman (Jamaican/Chinese) searches for her long lost Chinese grandfather. Very large extended families made it hard to follow at times. This is a memoir, but I actually thought it would have been better to use the facts to create a historical fiction novel....lots of potential there. This was a selection of my book club and also a book for Silicon Valley Reads "Finding Identity in Family History".

[Adam Mil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided an ARC for this book.

This was an exciting and well written book on the author’s journey of piecing together clues to her history. I was engrossed in the details of her fact-finding.

The latter part where she finally meets her relatives slowed down for some reason and failed to provide the emotional impact that was needed after such a journey.

I also watched the documentary which felt unnecessary and unneeded especially if you read the book.

[Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings. It is a good story; and the story of her grandfather's is truly compelling. But, at the most basic level there was no family tree to use as a reference. And the writing was sometimes way over the top and full of portent that I didn't think was needed. So, I gently recommend, especially to fans of family history and genealogy, Hakka, and Jamaicans.

[jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silicon Valley Reads current pick. A fascinating story of Afro-Caribbean and Chinese family. The author goes on a search for her Chinese grandfather and finds a whole new family in China. A touching memoir and family history. Having met such a family in Key West, Florida it really resonated with me.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I positively love Jamaica, and it was wonderful to learn so much history about the country. I really enjoyed the audio version of the book read by the author. Some of the Chinese History was a little boring, but the family stories, especially the last third of the book, were really meaningful.

[Therese Wiese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the premise, and thought the author was pretty interesting. I found the book hard to follow - I wish the author had included a family tree (even a rudimentary one) so I could better follow the connections.

[Rosanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story of an African American woman who goes on a quest to find her Chinese relatives. Heartwarming to see the diverse families come together in appreciation of family bonds. One of the selections for Silicon Valley Reads 2019.

[Susan K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the Silicon Valley Reads books for 2019. The theme is genealogy ("finding identity in family history"). This makes me want to trace my genealogy and see what I might find, and what long-lost relatives I might find!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author persistently searches for her missing Chinese relatives dating back to colonial times in Jamaica. I heard her talk in person and she weaves a fascinating tale. Serendipity helps her along her path, but persistence, and a good supply of money, achieved her goals.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Needed a family tree of all the family because it was a bit confusing for me but pretty wild story about lineage that goes way back. I could see how things came to be the way they were. I would love to hear the other side's story and their backstory up until the point of connection with Paula.

[Kate Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the academic and personal history, but the author really lost me in the second half by asserting these distant familial relations had such a large degree of influence and importance in her life spiritually.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but it is very unlike the books I usually read - her story is interesting and much like our family story discovering relatives we never knew about. But it was not an easy read.

[Dorymeier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the author's energy in searching for her ancestors. Her sense of family was palpable. However, it would have been helpful to have a family tree at the beginning of the book.

[Amy Tamura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartbreaking family tale that I do recommend. Personal and clinical at the same time. Well researched.

[Theresa-Anne Rabideau · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting content and story. I found the writing extremely repetitive and disjointed, and the narrator to be too self-aggrandizing.

[Nanci · Rating 5 out of 5]

so interesting—both about family & Hakka history and culture

Such an interesting book about unusual but eternal nature of family relations. True blended family!! Awe inspiring of what can happen with strong desire to know your roots!!!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today's post is on Finding Samuel Lowe: China, Jamaica, Harlem by Paula Williams Madison. It is 288 pages long and is published by HarperCollins. The cover is a patchwork of pictures of the author and her family. The intended reader is someone who is interested in family history, looking for oneself, and interesting memoirs. There is talk of sex and rape, language, and violence in this book. The story is told mostly from the first person perspective of the the author with bits in third and other first person perspectives for added depth. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Thanks to her spiteful, jealous Jamaican mother, Nell Vera Lowe was cut off from her Chinese father, Samuel Lowe, when she was just a baby, after he announced he was taking a Chinese bride. By the time Nell was old enough to travel to her father's shop is St. Anne's Bay, he'd taken his family back to China, never learning what became of his eldest daughter. Bereft, Nell left Jamaica for New York to start a new life. But her Asian features set her apart from her Harlem neighbors and even her own children- a difference that contributed to her feelings of loneliness and loss, which she instilled in her only daughter, Paula.
Years later, with a successful corporate career behind her and the arrival of her only grandchild raising questions about family and legacy, Paula decided to search for Samuel's descendants in China. With the support of her brothers and the help of encouraging strangers, Paula eventually pieced together the full story of her grandfather's life, following his story from China to Jamaica and back, and connected with three hundred surprised relatives who were overjoyed to meet her.

Review- This is a very drawing account of one woman's search for her mother and herself. With great care and determination Madison finds out what happened to her grandfather and why it affected her mother so. Madison gives only her mother's and grandfather's story but her own. It is a very moving account a family that should have been apart. Madison ties everything back together in the end. As this is a first book I normally feel that I have to give the author some room but Madison did everything right. She hit the right emotional tones, she feels honest and forthright. I hope to see her name on more books, not just memoirs but whatever other stories she has floating around in her head. I recommend this book.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I was given a copy of this book by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.