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Sweet Mandarin
Spanning almost a hundred years, this rich and evocative true story recounts the lives of three generations of remarkable Chinese women. Their extraordinary journey takes us from the brutal poverty of village life in mainland China, to newly prosperous 1930s Hong Kong and finally to the UK. Their lives were as dramatic as the times they lived through. A love of food and a talent for cooking pulled each generation through the most devastating of upheavals. Helen Tse's grandmother, Lily Kwok, was forced to work as an amah after the violent murder of her father. Crossing the ocean from Hong Kong in the 1950s, Lily honed her famous chicken curry recipe. Eventually she opened one of Manchester's earliest Chinese restaurants where her daughter, Mabel, worked from the tender age of nine. But gambling and the Triads were pervasive in the Chinese immigrant community, and they tragically lost the restaurant. It was up to Helen and her sisters, the third generation of these exceptional women, to re-establish their grandmother's dream. "Sweet Mandarin" shows how the most important inheritance is wisdom, and how recipes - passed down the female line - can be the most valuable heirloom.
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2007
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February 12, 2021
The true story of three generations of Chinese women from adverse poverty in China to prosperity in Manchester , England.
Lily the matriarch remembers when her father grew soybeans and made his own soy sauce with was a profit and he sold it to restaurants in the area.
Lily worked as a maid to well to do families, that had business in China.
One family the Woodmans took Lily to their home in England. The elder Mrs. Woodmon was especially close to Lily. When Mrs. Woodson died a sizable gift of money was left to Lily.
All this time Lily's children were back in China.
With her friends Lily opened a restaurant in Manchester. Her specialty was curry chicken. Everyone love her food.
Later on her daughter took over the restaurant and granddaughters open their own take away restaurant and it was very successful.
Lily the matriarch remembers when her father grew soybeans and made his own soy sauce with was a profit and he sold it to restaurants in the area.
Lily worked as a maid to well to do families, that had business in China.
One family the Woodmans took Lily to their home in England. The elder Mrs. Woodmon was especially close to Lily. When Mrs. Woodson died a sizable gift of money was left to Lily.
All this time Lily's children were back in China.
With her friends Lily opened a restaurant in Manchester. Her specialty was curry chicken. Everyone love her food.
Later on her daughter took over the restaurant and granddaughters open their own take away restaurant and it was very successful.
September 21, 2022
properly superb
November 27, 2017
Extraordinario relato de cuatro generaciones de mujeres.
Helen Tse nos cuenta una historia de superación, de fortaleza, de no dejarse superar por la situación, aunque ésta sea adversa.
Buen relato de las costumbres y gastronomía chinas, una delixia de lectura.
Muy recomendable.
Helen Tse nos cuenta una historia de superación, de fortaleza, de no dejarse superar por la situación, aunque ésta sea adversa.
Buen relato de las costumbres y gastronomía chinas, una delixia de lectura.
Muy recomendable.
June 19, 2016
Memoir
"Spanning almost a hundred years, this evocative memoir recounts the lives of three generations of remarkable Chinese women" (back cover)
Helen Tse recounts her family's story beginning with her grandmother's birth in 1918 near Guangzhou, China. She was born into extreme poverty in a China still recovering from devastating losses from World War I. The 1918-19 Spanish Flu epidemic killed 20 million people, more than the war itself.
The women of Tse's family struggle with desperate poverty, and deeply entrenched Chinese tradition which severely limit their options in life. Their tenacious strength and determination to seize any opportunity to better lives for themselves and their family is inspiring. The women must make so many personal sacrifices that it is even more impressive that their determination never flags.
We follow their lives to Hong Kong, London and many other places. The author is a marvelous narrator, taking us along the journey with descriptions of the cities and countries that we feel as though we're there. I loved the "armchair" journey.
The family finally begins to achieve success through sheer relentless hard work and determination, only to suddenly suffer unforeseen setbacks. They quickly recover, and strive to improve their lives immediately, drawing strength from each other, and the generations of accumulated wisdom.
This was a fascinating look at Chinese culture and traditions through the years, and at life in London for a Chinese-born members of the family, who consider London home.
The author's weaving into her story of Chinese history added another layer of interest. I very much liked the quotes that began each chapter, in English with the Chinese version below, such as "If you are patient in a moment of anger, you will escape a hundred years of sorrow."
Thank you to Good Reader Debbie Zapata for the gift of this lovely book.
"Spanning almost a hundred years, this evocative memoir recounts the lives of three generations of remarkable Chinese women" (back cover)
Helen Tse recounts her family's story beginning with her grandmother's birth in 1918 near Guangzhou, China. She was born into extreme poverty in a China still recovering from devastating losses from World War I. The 1918-19 Spanish Flu epidemic killed 20 million people, more than the war itself.
The women of Tse's family struggle with desperate poverty, and deeply entrenched Chinese tradition which severely limit their options in life. Their tenacious strength and determination to seize any opportunity to better lives for themselves and their family is inspiring. The women must make so many personal sacrifices that it is even more impressive that their determination never flags.
We follow their lives to Hong Kong, London and many other places. The author is a marvelous narrator, taking us along the journey with descriptions of the cities and countries that we feel as though we're there. I loved the "armchair" journey.
The family finally begins to achieve success through sheer relentless hard work and determination, only to suddenly suffer unforeseen setbacks. They quickly recover, and strive to improve their lives immediately, drawing strength from each other, and the generations of accumulated wisdom.
This was a fascinating look at Chinese culture and traditions through the years, and at life in London for a Chinese-born members of the family, who consider London home.
The author's weaving into her story of Chinese history added another layer of interest. I very much liked the quotes that began each chapter, in English with the Chinese version below, such as "If you are patient in a moment of anger, you will escape a hundred years of sorrow."
Thank you to Good Reader Debbie Zapata for the gift of this lovely book.
Read
February 8, 2009Sweet Mandarin, by Helen See, narrated by Liz Sutherland, produced by BBC-WW, downloaded from audible.com.
Spanning almost a hundred years, this rich and evocative true story recounts the lives of three generations of remarkable Chinese women. Their extraordinary
journey takes us from the brutal poverty of village life in mainland China, to newly prosperous 1930s Hong Kong and finally to the UK. Their lives were
as dramatic as the times they lived through. Helen Tse's grandmother was forced to work as an amah after the violent murder of her father. Crossing the
ocean from Hong Kong in the 1950s, Lily honed her famous chicken curry recipe. Eventually she opened one of Manchester's earliest Chinese restaurants.
But thanks to gambling and the Triads, they lost it. It was up to Helen and her sisters to re-establish their grandmother's dream. Helen and her two sisters are well educated women, each very successful in their own professions. But they decide to set their professions aside and open a Chinese restaurant again in Manchester, which they name Sweet Mandarin. This book gives you more history of the family than it does information about the three sisters and their lives. But it’s an excellent book.
Spanning almost a hundred years, this rich and evocative true story recounts the lives of three generations of remarkable Chinese women. Their extraordinary
journey takes us from the brutal poverty of village life in mainland China, to newly prosperous 1930s Hong Kong and finally to the UK. Their lives were
as dramatic as the times they lived through. Helen Tse's grandmother was forced to work as an amah after the violent murder of her father. Crossing the
ocean from Hong Kong in the 1950s, Lily honed her famous chicken curry recipe. Eventually she opened one of Manchester's earliest Chinese restaurants.
But thanks to gambling and the Triads, they lost it. It was up to Helen and her sisters to re-establish their grandmother's dream. Helen and her two sisters are well educated women, each very successful in their own professions. But they decide to set their professions aside and open a Chinese restaurant again in Manchester, which they name Sweet Mandarin. This book gives you more history of the family than it does information about the three sisters and their lives. But it’s an excellent book.
September 19, 2010
A great read for me and the book flows well making it easily read in a couple of sittings. What I found different about this book was that as well as it being the true story of Lily and working hard to get herself out of the poverty in China that she was born into, was that this story showed just how easily that she managed to lose it all again, yet she managed to still have that focus and worked so hard to get it back. It also describes how Lily's family were the first chinese faces to be seen in the streets of Middleton, Manchester in 1959 and how they were welcomed into the community and not so welcomed by others, yet she won most people over with her famous Lily's Chicken Curry!
There are also humourous points throughout such as when her Manchester restaurant was visited by The Hollies and Cliff Richard: "Little did they realise that Lily, far from being cool, simply had no idea who they were"
Well worth a read in my opinion.
There are also humourous points throughout such as when her Manchester restaurant was visited by The Hollies and Cliff Richard: "Little did they realise that Lily, far from being cool, simply had no idea who they were"
Well worth a read in my opinion.
September 29, 2010
Helen Tse's true story of her family's history and journey to England where they established themselves in Manchester and opened a restaurant. Helen is there operating Sweet Mandarin. I would love to go there and order Lily Kwok's Chicken Curry! UPDATE NEWSFLASH-in 2014 my sister, Robin, and I are going to England and Scotland and will definately be going to meet Helen and enjoy the food at Sweet Mandarin!
March 3, 2009
This was a sweet book!! An amazing journey for the women in this family, their struggles and hardships, and the love of food and family recipes that brings everyone together around the table whether in a small China village to Hong Kong and then to Manchester, England. Something for everyone in this touching story.
February 27, 2025
I really enjoy both food related memoirs and multi-generational family immigration narratives, and this book hit both those notes perfectly. Having read Daughters of Shandong relatively recently this worked as a good companion, covering some of the same window of time in 20th Century China. I loved the story of Helen's mother and grandmother and their resilience and her profound appreciation for their legacy exudes from the pages in a beautiful way that is not cloying or overly apologetic. My only sadness is the lack of recipes in the book- because my mouth was really watering in some places (I do see Sweet Mandarin has a cookbook, so I should try to seek it out!).
March 15, 2022
This book was an interesting and honest look at one family's journey from poverty in rural China to a comfortable life in England. The author was very honest with the look at her family's experience going back a hundred years. Her grandmother's story was the major part of the book. She is a strong woman who had to make some difficult decisions but maintains her optimistic outlook on life. Although the writing wasn't great, it's her personal touch that makes this a good book.
January 19, 2020
I began this book in 2019 as my sauna read; I love to sit in the sauna and while away the time. Unfortunately I lost interest early on and set it aside. One of my goals this year is to finish the books I have started and clear my TBR pile. This was my first read to be finished. I actually enjoyed the book and found myself wondering about Lily's next adventure.
November 1, 2024
Excellent historical true story. Learned about China in the twentieth century and how it changed over the years into the twenty first century. Thanks to the strong women who (especially her grandmother Lily) who worked incredibly hard and never gave up no matter how difficult things got. Best of luck to Helen Tse and her sisters.
November 3, 2020
This was different to what I would normally read. I really enjoyed the insight into a culture I know very little about. Helen's writing was easy to follow. I have such admiration for Lily. I felt such a part of their journey.
March 10, 2022
Everyone who has ever been a regular patron of the local Chinese chippy (takeaway) should read this book for a deeper appreciation of the risk, sacrifice and determination immigrants face to bring you your weekend Special fried rice.
Great to learn it's part of some school curriculum.
Great to learn it's part of some school curriculum.
January 1, 2023
I loved this. The ending might come off as cheesy but this true story is so powerful as we follow 3 generations of Chinese women. It tugged my heart strings as the author’s family reminded me of my own.
January 26, 2019
Excellent story of family through generations with Lily being a main character.
December 30, 2019
The story of a Chinese family who came from China to Hong Kong to Manchester. A lot left unsaid, a lot glossed over. It did feel a little like an advert for the restaurant.
December 18, 2023
Thoroughly enjoy this book - very easy reading.
A true story of three generations of hardworking Chinese woman going from East to West.
A true story of three generations of hardworking Chinese woman going from East to West.
August 27, 2008
Reviewed by JodiG. for TeensReadToo.com
For Lily Kwok the world did not seem to offer much hope. In addition to being a female in a male-dominated society, she was also born into a severely poverty stricken village in rural China. In 1918, there didn't seem to be much of a chance for a different life. SWEET MANDARIN is the story of how three generations of women, beginning with Lily, made their way out of the oppressive confines of culture and poverty to become successful businesswomen in their own right.
Lily was born in a small farming village near Guangzhou. She had one thing that many other young girls of the time didn't-- a father who cherished his daughters. He also had the desire to provide a better life for his family and set about to improve their lives by making and selling soy sauce. While Leung was very successful, he also drew the envy of others in his village. Before he had the opportunity to secure a completely comfortable life for his family, Leung was murdered, leaving his wife and daughters to the mercy of family.
Lily worked hard to help provide for her mother, sisters, and eventually her own husband and children. Through a twist of fate, Lily had the chance to make a difficult choice for her family. She would follow her employer to England, and be away from her children, in order to secure them a better future in the West.
When Mabel and her brother, Arthur, finally joined their mother, Lily, in England, they were strangers to both the country and their own mother. Lily opened a take-out restaurant in Manchester. Not only were they the only Chinese family in the neighborhood, they also offered a service that nobody else did-- a fast, affordable, and tasty meal that could be taken home to the family. The work was hard and the hours long and Mabel learned the skills and recipes that she would one day pass on to her own daughters.
Helen and her sisters grew up under the wings of both Lily and their mother, Mabel. The two generations of women that preceded them gave them opportunities that a young Lily may have only dreamed of. Helen grew up to go to an ivy-league school and become a lawyer, and her sisters shared similar successes. But they found that their heritage called to them and they opened Sweet Mandarin, a restaurant that serves the recipes that guided the lives of all three generations of successful, Chinese women.
SWEET MANDARIN is an inspirational account that proves that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles like poverty, murder, addiction, and oppression, if you have the determination, you can achieve your dreams.
For Lily Kwok the world did not seem to offer much hope. In addition to being a female in a male-dominated society, she was also born into a severely poverty stricken village in rural China. In 1918, there didn't seem to be much of a chance for a different life. SWEET MANDARIN is the story of how three generations of women, beginning with Lily, made their way out of the oppressive confines of culture and poverty to become successful businesswomen in their own right.
Lily was born in a small farming village near Guangzhou. She had one thing that many other young girls of the time didn't-- a father who cherished his daughters. He also had the desire to provide a better life for his family and set about to improve their lives by making and selling soy sauce. While Leung was very successful, he also drew the envy of others in his village. Before he had the opportunity to secure a completely comfortable life for his family, Leung was murdered, leaving his wife and daughters to the mercy of family.
Lily worked hard to help provide for her mother, sisters, and eventually her own husband and children. Through a twist of fate, Lily had the chance to make a difficult choice for her family. She would follow her employer to England, and be away from her children, in order to secure them a better future in the West.
When Mabel and her brother, Arthur, finally joined their mother, Lily, in England, they were strangers to both the country and their own mother. Lily opened a take-out restaurant in Manchester. Not only were they the only Chinese family in the neighborhood, they also offered a service that nobody else did-- a fast, affordable, and tasty meal that could be taken home to the family. The work was hard and the hours long and Mabel learned the skills and recipes that she would one day pass on to her own daughters.
Helen and her sisters grew up under the wings of both Lily and their mother, Mabel. The two generations of women that preceded them gave them opportunities that a young Lily may have only dreamed of. Helen grew up to go to an ivy-league school and become a lawyer, and her sisters shared similar successes. But they found that their heritage called to them and they opened Sweet Mandarin, a restaurant that serves the recipes that guided the lives of all three generations of successful, Chinese women.
SWEET MANDARIN is an inspirational account that proves that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles like poverty, murder, addiction, and oppression, if you have the determination, you can achieve your dreams.
March 29, 2011
Review AT : Mama Kucing Meow : Sweet Mandarin By Helen Tse
Reviewed on 6th December 2010
At first I thought this is just another novel coz I bought this book due to the author's name. Love reading books from Asian writers.
Later when I read through, I discovered that this is not just any novel. It's a true story of the courageous journey by 3 generations of Chinese women in a family.
Helen Tse's grandmother, Lily Kwok, came from a very poor farming family in China. When her great grandfather tried to make a life for his family by venturing into business, his life was cut short by an unfortunate incident.
His widow and 6 daughters were left at the mercy of his relatives. They were bullied. But Lily Kwok was a bright child and managed to get herself some sort of education and become an Amah.
She married for love and had two children, Arthur and Mabel(Helen's mother). But love does not survive.
During Japanese Occupation she was with a Dutch family and since the Dutch were not fighting with the Japanese, she was "protected" . She even learnt a bit of Japanese which probably have saved her life.
After the Occupation she went to work with a British family. And subsequently had the hard choice of following the family back to UK or to stay in Hong Kong.
At last she went to UK. There she managed to built a life for herself and bring her children to stay with her.
She worked hard and managed to built a small fortune. Arthur moved away and Mabel got married. Then they lost everything.
It was very hard but their perseverance paid off. Lily, Mabel and later on Helen with her siblings re-built what they have lost.
There is one part which really moved me. Helen's restaurant have been broken into and everything was stolen. Helen asked Lily how could Lily sit there and be so calm when faced with the destruction. you know what Lily replied?
She laughed and said " when you get to be my age, you'll stop asking why things happen and learn to accept them".
I guess she is right at some point. Like the recent petrol and sugar price increase. Guess we'll just have to learn to accept them and find a way to deal with it.
Reviewed on 6th December 2010
At first I thought this is just another novel coz I bought this book due to the author's name. Love reading books from Asian writers.
Later when I read through, I discovered that this is not just any novel. It's a true story of the courageous journey by 3 generations of Chinese women in a family.
Helen Tse's grandmother, Lily Kwok, came from a very poor farming family in China. When her great grandfather tried to make a life for his family by venturing into business, his life was cut short by an unfortunate incident.
His widow and 6 daughters were left at the mercy of his relatives. They were bullied. But Lily Kwok was a bright child and managed to get herself some sort of education and become an Amah.
She married for love and had two children, Arthur and Mabel(Helen's mother). But love does not survive.
During Japanese Occupation she was with a Dutch family and since the Dutch were not fighting with the Japanese, she was "protected" . She even learnt a bit of Japanese which probably have saved her life.
After the Occupation she went to work with a British family. And subsequently had the hard choice of following the family back to UK or to stay in Hong Kong.
At last she went to UK. There she managed to built a life for herself and bring her children to stay with her.
She worked hard and managed to built a small fortune. Arthur moved away and Mabel got married. Then they lost everything.
It was very hard but their perseverance paid off. Lily, Mabel and later on Helen with her siblings re-built what they have lost.
There is one part which really moved me. Helen's restaurant have been broken into and everything was stolen. Helen asked Lily how could Lily sit there and be so calm when faced with the destruction. you know what Lily replied?
She laughed and said " when you get to be my age, you'll stop asking why things happen and learn to accept them".
I guess she is right at some point. Like the recent petrol and sugar price increase. Guess we'll just have to learn to accept them and find a way to deal with it.
May 8, 2015
A fascinating insight into the life and culture of four generations of Chinese women.
Helen Tse traces her family's story through four generations of women - her great-grandmother, Tai Po, her grandmother, Lily, her mother, Mabel, and herself and her two sisters. The story starts in the Guangzhou province of China, in a tiny, poor, rural village, then moves through Hong Kong, then Somerset, Middleton, and Manchester in England and then back to Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Two things stand out throughout these rapidly changing locations and periods (1918-2003) - the independent nature and sheer willpower of the women in her family to survive incredibly tough circumstances, and food. There's plenty of drama, betrayal, poverty, happiness, love, racism, harshness, but through it all there are descriptions of food and how it binds generations of the family together and ultimately is responsible for their shift from a tiny rural village to the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong, and finally to success and acceptance in Manchester.
Very easy to read. Reminded me of Lion's Head, Four Happiness: A Little Sister's Story of Growing up in China and Shark's Fin And Sichuan Pepper: A Sweet-Sour Memoir of Eating in China.
Helen Tse traces her family's story through four generations of women - her great-grandmother, Tai Po, her grandmother, Lily, her mother, Mabel, and herself and her two sisters. The story starts in the Guangzhou province of China, in a tiny, poor, rural village, then moves through Hong Kong, then Somerset, Middleton, and Manchester in England and then back to Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Two things stand out throughout these rapidly changing locations and periods (1918-2003) - the independent nature and sheer willpower of the women in her family to survive incredibly tough circumstances, and food. There's plenty of drama, betrayal, poverty, happiness, love, racism, harshness, but through it all there are descriptions of food and how it binds generations of the family together and ultimately is responsible for their shift from a tiny rural village to the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong, and finally to success and acceptance in Manchester.
Very easy to read. Reminded me of Lion's Head, Four Happiness: A Little Sister's Story of Growing up in China and Shark's Fin And Sichuan Pepper: A Sweet-Sour Memoir of Eating in China.
January 28, 2009
When Cambridge educated lawyer Helen Tse decided to give up her career to go back to her roots and open up a Chinese restaurant with her two sisters, her elders thought she was nuts. Her grandmother and mother work hard so that Helen and her sister's could all get good educations and not have the worries and work that a restaurant owner has. Lily, her grandmother and Mabel, her mother should know, they both had owned restaurants.
Before deciding to open the restaurant, Helen decided to take a journey back in time to discover her family history. Her great grandfather had a soy sauce business in China. He moved his family from a poor country village to the hustle and bustle of city life in Hong Kong. Not long after he died and the family had to find a way to make survive. Lily, just a child herself takes a job as an amah for a British family. An amah takes care of children.
Lily eventually married and had children herself, but her husband left her. She continued as an amah while her mother took care of her children. She befriends the family she was working for and got an invitation to move with them to England. This invitation didn't include her children, so what was she to do? What would you do?
I won't tell you anymore for risk of spoilers.
When I first read the description of the book it...
Read my full review here:
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/01...
Before deciding to open the restaurant, Helen decided to take a journey back in time to discover her family history. Her great grandfather had a soy sauce business in China. He moved his family from a poor country village to the hustle and bustle of city life in Hong Kong. Not long after he died and the family had to find a way to make survive. Lily, just a child herself takes a job as an amah for a British family. An amah takes care of children.
Lily eventually married and had children herself, but her husband left her. She continued as an amah while her mother took care of her children. She befriends the family she was working for and got an invitation to move with them to England. This invitation didn't include her children, so what was she to do? What would you do?
I won't tell you anymore for risk of spoilers.
When I first read the description of the book it...
Read my full review here:
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/01...
August 12, 2014
A beautiful account of a family history across three generations of determined women.
From the early 1920s in the old Canton village in China, to the early colonial years from the 1930s' to 50s' in Hong Kong, to another life chapter across the seas via SS Canton to Middleton in the U.K., we follow the rises and falls, the battle and determination of this family over a period of neatly a century.
The period in history ; the locations, the family ties between grandma, mom and daughter; living abroad; breaking free from the old Chinese restrictive customs, seeking new hope afar, holding tightly onto the Chinese heritage in the new home on foreign soil, reflecting on the family roots and regenerating oneself into the future, all these and many more are themes that are so close to my heart.
I recommend anyone who share my sentiment to read this book. The writing flows smoothly and the story moves at a good pace, making it very easy and enjoyable to read.
If I ever travel to Manchester again one day, I could like to try Lily Kwok's Chicken Curry, Mabel's Claypot Chicken, and Buddha's Golden Picnic Basket at the Tse sister's Sweet Mandarin!
Thank you for sharing your family stories.
From the early 1920s in the old Canton village in China, to the early colonial years from the 1930s' to 50s' in Hong Kong, to another life chapter across the seas via SS Canton to Middleton in the U.K., we follow the rises and falls, the battle and determination of this family over a period of neatly a century.
The period in history ; the locations, the family ties between grandma, mom and daughter; living abroad; breaking free from the old Chinese restrictive customs, seeking new hope afar, holding tightly onto the Chinese heritage in the new home on foreign soil, reflecting on the family roots and regenerating oneself into the future, all these and many more are themes that are so close to my heart.
I recommend anyone who share my sentiment to read this book. The writing flows smoothly and the story moves at a good pace, making it very easy and enjoyable to read.
If I ever travel to Manchester again one day, I could like to try Lily Kwok's Chicken Curry, Mabel's Claypot Chicken, and Buddha's Golden Picnic Basket at the Tse sister's Sweet Mandarin!
Thank you for sharing your family stories.
January 16, 2009
A beautiful memoir about three generations of Chinese women and their hardships, struggles, and sheer determination to make better lives for themselves and their families.
Lily Kwok, Helen Tse's grandmother, IMO is really the star of the book. She pulled through multiple seemingly helpless situations when most people would've given up. Although she grew up in a society where women were still completely controlled by men, she chose to take her and her children's destiny into her own hands. She spent years away from her children raising enough money so she could boldly move from the slums of China to England, becoming the first Chinese family in a very traditional English neighborhood. She put her heart and soul into singlehandedly opening her own restaurant and because of that, her children and grandchildren were able to live lives that rose far above anything they would've had back in China.
I really admired how although Helen Tse now has a popular restaurant of her own, she chose to dedicate 90% of the book to her ancestors, acknowledging that her successes were only made possible because of their struggles.
Lily Kwok, Helen Tse's grandmother, IMO is really the star of the book. She pulled through multiple seemingly helpless situations when most people would've given up. Although she grew up in a society where women were still completely controlled by men, she chose to take her and her children's destiny into her own hands. She spent years away from her children raising enough money so she could boldly move from the slums of China to England, becoming the first Chinese family in a very traditional English neighborhood. She put her heart and soul into singlehandedly opening her own restaurant and because of that, her children and grandchildren were able to live lives that rose far above anything they would've had back in China.
I really admired how although Helen Tse now has a popular restaurant of her own, she chose to dedicate 90% of the book to her ancestors, acknowledging that her successes were only made possible because of their struggles.
October 20, 2011
This was the second of my holiday reading books in September. I went away fro a quiet week with my friend to chill, read and test out the restaurants.
I picked this book up mainly because of the local connection. The author and her sisters own a restaurant in Manchester's Northern Quarter. This is the story of her family and how the generations moved from a small village in China to owning what many say is their favourite Chines restaurant in Manchester.
The main character for the first part of the book is the author's Grandmother Lily. Hers is a wonderfully inspiring tale. The admiration I felt for this woman was immense. She is a truly inspiring woman. Not written as saintly but faults and all. This is s story of grit and determination coupled with hard work and a desire to succeed.
The story passes along the generations and leads to the sisters who now own and run a thriving, modern restaurant in my favourite part of Manchester.
I won't tell you any more as I think this book should be discovered for yourself. Apparently it has been adopted by schools and added to their curriculum. It is definitely something I would want any female offspring I had to read.
I picked this book up mainly because of the local connection. The author and her sisters own a restaurant in Manchester's Northern Quarter. This is the story of her family and how the generations moved from a small village in China to owning what many say is their favourite Chines restaurant in Manchester.
The main character for the first part of the book is the author's Grandmother Lily. Hers is a wonderfully inspiring tale. The admiration I felt for this woman was immense. She is a truly inspiring woman. Not written as saintly but faults and all. This is s story of grit and determination coupled with hard work and a desire to succeed.
The story passes along the generations and leads to the sisters who now own and run a thriving, modern restaurant in my favourite part of Manchester.
I won't tell you any more as I think this book should be discovered for yourself. Apparently it has been adopted by schools and added to their curriculum. It is definitely something I would want any female offspring I had to read.
July 30, 2012
This family suffered tragedy after tragedy but managed to pick themselves up and keep moving forward in spite of the most horrible conditions and abject poverty. The strength of these Chinese women is astounding and a tribute to the culture they were born in to.
Lily, the matriarch of the family was a strong, stubborn and courageous woman who taught her children the value of hard work and making a dollar in spite of the long hard hours that had to be put in to make the minimum amount of money. Lily never gave up and after tragedy she picked herself up and kept moving forward. This ability to forge ahead in times of trouble and utter chaos was handed down to the next generation and the next, making for 3 generations of women whose courage, strength, fortitude, and resilience won out in the end.
This story was so enjoyable and so interesting that I read it one sitting. Helen Tse’s writing flowed well and made for a very pleasant experience. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work. Sweet Mandarin is her debut novel.
Lily, the matriarch of the family was a strong, stubborn and courageous woman who taught her children the value of hard work and making a dollar in spite of the long hard hours that had to be put in to make the minimum amount of money. Lily never gave up and after tragedy she picked herself up and kept moving forward. This ability to forge ahead in times of trouble and utter chaos was handed down to the next generation and the next, making for 3 generations of women whose courage, strength, fortitude, and resilience won out in the end.
This story was so enjoyable and so interesting that I read it one sitting. Helen Tse’s writing flowed well and made for a very pleasant experience. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work. Sweet Mandarin is her debut novel.
July 29, 2009
Inspiring book. Made me think a lot about the strength of women and how family/cultural heritage and how we move mountains for generations to come. Good insight into China and immigrants. It is a nice story-made better by the fact that it is real. Favorite lines: "When you cook, you share your heart. So cook enthusiastically" Isn't this true about anything in life? One of the most beautiful lines in book/best metaphors when she describes her grandmother's hometown in countryside "old China" "where life ebbs and flows as gently as the unfolding green tea-leaves in hot water." I also liked this statement in her acknowledgments: "There is a Chinese saying that 'A book holds a house of gold.'" Love it.
June 22, 2009
Sweet Mandarin, by Helen Tse is a delightful read about three generations of Chinese women that affirms the strength and resiliency of the feminine spirit. A memoir that reads more like
a novel, takes the reader from Hong Kong to England and back.
This true story kept the pages turning! Unlike recent books about ancient Chinese heroines, these women live in the twentieth century. A lot of the old ways still exist but this family embraces the blending of cultures without losing the strength of their roots. Much of what is passed from one generation to the next revolves around the love of food and cooking. I found it fascinating reading
It’s a good book!
a novel, takes the reader from Hong Kong to England and back.
This true story kept the pages turning! Unlike recent books about ancient Chinese heroines, these women live in the twentieth century. A lot of the old ways still exist but this family embraces the blending of cultures without losing the strength of their roots. Much of what is passed from one generation to the next revolves around the love of food and cooking. I found it fascinating reading
It’s a good book!
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July 21, 2010Sweet Mandarin, by Helen Tse is a delightful read about three generations of Chinese women that affirms the strength and resiliency of the feminine spirit. A memoir that reads more like a novel, takes the reader from Hong Kong to England and back.
This true story kept the pages turning! Unlike recent books about ancient Chinese heroines, these women live in the twentieth century. A lot of the old ways still exist but this family embraces the blending of cultures without losing the strength of their roots. Much of what is passed from one generation to the next revolves around the love of food and cooking. I found it fascinating reading It’s a good book!
This true story kept the pages turning! Unlike recent books about ancient Chinese heroines, these women live in the twentieth century. A lot of the old ways still exist but this family embraces the blending of cultures without losing the strength of their roots. Much of what is passed from one generation to the next revolves around the love of food and cooking. I found it fascinating reading It’s a good book!
April 5, 2009
Beautifully written account of Tse's family, from her great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, and then catches the reader up to the present to Helen and her siblings.
The main character of the book is Tse's grandmother, Lily, and her engaging story of overcoming tremendous hardships. The story begins in a small village in Guangzhou, China in 1918 and leads the reader through a journey in time and across the ocean to the U.K.
The writing is straightforward but doesn't lack character and poignancy. I really enjoyed this book.
The main character of the book is Tse's grandmother, Lily, and her engaging story of overcoming tremendous hardships. The story begins in a small village in Guangzhou, China in 1918 and leads the reader through a journey in time and across the ocean to the U.K.
The writing is straightforward but doesn't lack character and poignancy. I really enjoyed this book.
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