The Diary of Dukesang Wong: A Voice from Gold Mountain

by Dukesang Wong, Wanda Joy Hoe (Translation), David McIlwraith (Editor)

Here is the only known first-person account from a Chinese worker on the famously treacherous parts of transcontinental railways that spanned the North American continent in the nineteenth century. The story of those Chinese workers has been told before, but never in a voice from among their number, never in a voice that lived through the experience. Here is that missing voice, a voice that changes our understanding of the history it tells and that so many believed was lost forever. Dukesang Wong’s written account of life working on the Canadian Pacific Railway, a Gold Mountain life, tells of the punishing work, the comradery, the sickness and starvation, the encounters with Indigenous Peoples, and the dark and shameful history of racism and exploitation that prevailed up and down the North American continent. The Diary of Dukesang Wong includes all the selected entries translated in the mid-1960s by his granddaughter, Wanda Joy Hoe, for an undergraduate sociology paper. Background history and explanations for the diary’s unexplained references are provided by David McIlwraith, the book’s editor, who also considers why the diarist’s voice and other Chinese voices have been silenced for so long.

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada, China, History

144 pages, Paperback

Published November 3, 2020

Reviews

[Rod Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book to perhaps start me on a journey of re-discovery of my Chinese Canadian heritage. An interesting but brief window of the hard life Chinese immigrants coming to North America had to endure from a largely intolerant and racist society. Much has changed in the year 2021, where racial acceptance may seem to be the norm depending the on the time and place. But there are still pockets (sometimes large segments) of ignorant narrow minded people who feel threatened by anyone that doesn't have the same skin colour or speaks the same language or shares the same religion. But back to the book. It would have been fascinating to read all of Dukesang Wong's diaries but alas it was not meant to be. What we do have does provide a first person view of someone's life as they transition from China to the land of the Gold Mountain. Their experiences and how they felt and interpreted their life. It might be an interesting read to look over Wanda Joy Hoe's sociology paper from the 60's that was based on the diaries to see how it feels against the mindset in 2021. I enjoyed David's commentary as it provided valuable context to events and helped bridge some gaps.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite a remarkable book. It's a translated diary of one of the Chinese men who worked on the railway. The book includes passages before he moved to China and afterward, when he was in Canada.

A must-read if you're interested in the history of the Chinese in Canada.

[Kokeshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glimpse of something truly amazing. So small, yet very powerful with the help of the editor. I learned a lot. 5 stars.

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Diary of Dukesang Wong features a set of excerpts from Dukesang Wong's diary, translated by his granddaughter, Wanda Joy Hoe and contextual historic background provided by David McIlwraith. The diary had come to light when Wanda translated excepts for an undergraduate sociology paper. Dukesang Wong's original notebook had tragically disappeared in a fire. All that remained were the excerpts in Wanda's paper, which had been stored away for years, and fortuitously rediscovered.

In general, I found the book rather insightful. The excerpts follow Dukesang Wong, son of the poisoned regional magistrate. The circumstances of his father's death had meant disgrace for his family, leaving his diary as one of the ways he coped. The diary would eventually also become the only known written source of life of a Chinese railway worker on the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Although Dukesang Wongs entries were limited (the entire book is hardly over 125 pages), I found that it still provided the slightest glimpse of how Chinese were thrown into a maelstrom of hatred, fear, and discrimination. The Canadian government did very little to intervene at the time, as seen through when imposing the "head tax" on Chinese who wished to emigrate to Canada. Even when the limited entries could not provide context, McIlwraith made sure to bridge the gaps; he contributed a concise summary of historical background.

That being said, I still found myself wanting more historical contributions (i.e. more context, excerpts from other experts, more historical background).

Regardless, I highly recommend reading this book; in my eyes, even the tiniest glimpse of perspective is still worthwhile.

[Anna Woo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dukesang Wong is a traditional man who tried to live his life adhering to the teaching of the sages. Being Chinese myself, while reading his diary entries, I find myself attempting to translate them back into Chinese. His style of writing is poetic and is mostly lost in modern writing. The Chinese railway workers have endured horrible conditions. Many have died and some have prevailed but their yearning for their homeland never stopped.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This concise book presents the only known firsthand account by Chinese Canadian railroad worker. It's an incredible perspective on migration, cultural change, and belonging. Wong's diary begins in China, and crosses the Pacific, where he struggles to establish himself amidst discrimination and white supremacist legislation. The book's historical value is obvious, but I was surprised by how much I connected with the book on an emotional level. Wong's language is so perceptive, poetic, and evocative. Take this line, following an 1885 entry about barriers to Chinese employment: “These mighty lands are great to gaze upon, but the laws made here are so small.” Those words perfectly encapsulate the landscape and history of this country, and continue to resound over 130 years later. It floored me to read them. Editor David McIlwraith's commentary is highly perceptive, shedding important light on some of the reasons why accounts like Wong's are so rare today. This book is literally one of a kind. You should read it.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at Canadian history from a perspective other than the accomplishments of old white males. This first hand account of a Chinese immigrant working on Canada's transcontinental railway, the racism and violence he experienced, is an important view of Canadian history. Combining what was happening in China at the same time as what Dukesang Wong was going through was appreciated, as well. I only wish there were more first-hand accounts like this.

[Cam Mcneil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird how even in 1901 after decades he still calls Canada a “nameless land”. Somehow never picked up on where he was....

Anyway, an important slice of history.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book and should be required reading in Canadian history courses. Provides invaluable insight into the Chinese immigrant experience in Canada.

[jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a special story to be able to read…

[Ashley B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a remarkable book - I wish this book was part of the curriculum across Canada.