The Silent Traveller in San Francisco

by Chiang Yee

Silent Traveller in San Francisco by Yee, Chiang

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1964

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

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very personal reverie about SF sixty years ago, I skipped much of the details of then current folk otherwise lost to time. Long past its sell date.

[Paola Cortes · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started rereading this because I wanted a good lighthearted book and what I remembered of my first reading was a good experience... As I was reading it occur to me to google the author because I began to wonder how come he had so much time and money to travel to all the places he did (and not cheap ones) so I thought he was single... well I was wrong: the dude not only had a wife but four children as well whom he abandoned when he fled from China just because he didn't like the corruption there (?) like mister, there's corruption in London as well apparently, the thing that he really didn't liked was his family otherwise he would've brought them along with him, but the lies: I've read the three books he published from his travels through the USA and all he does is keep whining about how China is so special and so... then why you didn't went back? Why you didn't got your family out while you could? Extremely annoying. Also he made some comments about the native american and women that are problematic at best. My take: he didn't deserve the fame he got and just hope that at least he sent his family money so they could live like kings and queens in retribution for abbandoning them.

[Matt Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great. Yee was a Chinese diplomat turned painter/writer and from a visitors perspective captures a city's history, natural beauty, mood, and landmarks in the 50s. There is lots of outdoor landscape portrayal that captures what makes a city unique from another. Great glimpse of landmarks that are still around or gone and memorialized. Another confirmation of SF's magic.

[JeanneBee · Rating 5 out of 5]

San Francisco may just be everyone's favorite city. Living here for nearly 24 years you quickly learn that The City (Herb Caen fan) is less about it's history and more about it's future. The City changes all the time. This historical travel narrative charms not only with its prose but insights into mid-20th century San Francisco with an eye toward how the white city on the 7 hills was built by its forefathers. As the artist-author Chiang Yee/Yee Chaing shares his journey in and around the City he writes poetry and illustrates what he sees. In the first edition that I read there are color plates. This is part of a bigger series and worth seeking out, a true classic.

[John Jung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-reading this classic and unique book by Chiang Yee, a native of China who has travelled the world, taught at universities in England and U.S., and written several books including his series of "THe SIlent Traveller" in which he provides a set of 'far east' eyes to look at places like San Francisco, Boston, England, that are refreshing and inventive. He is a calligrapher and painter and his books are a visual treat.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Silent Traveller book I encountered. I started browsing it in a used book store and couldn't leave it there. His description of Mt. Diablo outside SF is sooooo much the way I first saw it on visiting relatives there in the 1950s/60s that I felt like the guy is a soulmate. His description of the Beats is priceless.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An essential book to be included in any discussion of the Chinese immigrant experience in the 20th century, should be required reading for: American Studies, Asian American Studies, Comparative Literature, and Creative Non-Fiction.

[Joslyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another time and place, lovely illustrations, and the city seen as an exotic treasure through the eyes of someone wise and talented who loves SF.