Perpetually Cool: The Many Lives of Anna May Wong [1905-1961]

by Anthony Chan

Anna May Wong was an extraordinary Asian American woman who became the country's most famous film actress of Chinese descent. From small parts in silent films to starring roles in Hollywood and across the Atlantic, Wong made an impression on audiences of all persuasions. In Perpetually Cool, Anthony Chan takes the reader on a compelling journey through Wong's early years in Los Angeles and her first Hollywood pictures. Chan also examines the scope and nature of race, gender, and power and their impact on Wong's personal growth as a Chinese American. Perpetually Cool is not only the captivating story of a cinematic career, but also of roots and identity, as it recounts Wong's desire to connect with her heritage in the United States and in China. Chan provides extensive textual analyses of Wong's signature films, especially The Toll of the Sea (1922), The Thief of Bagdad (1924) with Douglas Fairbanks, and her most famous role as Hui Fei in Shanghai Express (1932), opposite Marlene Dietrich. Perpetually Cool is a fitting tribute to the influence of this Chinese American icon.

Genres: Biography, Film, Nonfiction, Asian Literature, History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2003

Reviews

[Helen Geng · Rating 3 out of 5]

NYPL book

[Sourdough Bread · Rating 2 out of 5]

5/10

I think the one reason why I finished this book because I had to use it for a project. Although there were some interesting things I learned about Anna May Wong, a lot of the information was disorganized, uninteresting, or jump around in different time periods. I feel like there could have been a better way to present the given information about Wong in a less chaotic way.

[Ke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-researched biography on Anna May Wong

[Wayne "Doc Nirvana" Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am impressed with this research. I think it is the best book about her life. It also shows there needs to be more. I hope other works are coming.