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Double Luck: Memoirs of a Chinese Orphan
When Lu Chi Fa's parents died in 1944, he was only three years old. The timing of the tragedy could not have been worse-- it was a time of political turmoil and severe hardship in China. Few people willingly took in orphans, and Chi Fa's extended family was no exception. The young boy was shuffled from one house to another as his relatives turned him away, one by one. Even his loving sister was forbidden by her husband to take him under her roof.
Chi fa was always hungry, often cold, and frequently beaten. But through all his struggles, he held onto his sister's hopeful "You are lucky, Chi Fa. Good fortune will find you."
This stirring memoir of a painful childhood tells a story of resilience and courage, and attests to the power of even small acts of kindness.
Chi fa was always hungry, often cold, and frequently beaten. But through all his struggles, he held onto his sister's hopeful "You are lucky, Chi Fa. Good fortune will find you."
This stirring memoir of a painful childhood tells a story of resilience and courage, and attests to the power of even small acts of kindness.
212 pages, Hardcover
First published March 14, 2000
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May 12, 2022
The Coffee Pot, Morro Bay, California, USA
Morro Bay is the best coastal town in California. It has not changed over the years since I grew up in the area. How fortunate it is that the author of this book lives there, and that his home looks out at the ocean. It would be fortunate if we, my husbands and I, lived there too. We had other fortunes in life. Morro Bay was just a place to visit for us.
We went to California last year to visit my family--a family reunion. My brother, who was fortunate enough to have never left Paso Robles, told us about The Coffee Pot Restaurant, so we met there for breakfast. The service was great, and the food was excellent.
In the meantime I heard about its owner, who had written a book about his escape from communist China in the early 50s. During that time I was living in Paso Robles, only coming to Morro Bay with my parents to eat at a sea food restaurant, check out the sea lions, the pelicans, and the tide pools. Chi Fa, the author of this book, was starving in China, he lost both of his parents, and relatives couldn’t afford to feed him, so he was shuffled around to different ones who didn’t want him because they couldn’t feed him. Some were even physically abusive, in fact, it seemed that that is all he got from them outside of a small bowl of rice. How different our lives were.
Chi Fa didn’t make it to the U.S. until 1969, but his book doesn’t say when he came to Morro Bay or when he bought the restaurant. He really was a person with Double Luck.
I think of his Dicksonian life, and then I recall his escape from China, a life that no child should have to live. No one, in fact, should have to live like he had.
He begged in the streets and gave his brother all the money he had made, even when he got a real job. His brother gambled and drank it all away, well, perhaps he used some for rent and food. But I suppose this made Chi Fa strong in the long run; I don’t know.
As I look back at our time eating in his restaurant, I wonder if Chi Fa thinks often of his days where he had begged for money to buy food. I do know this, he is very grateful for having come to America, a dream of his ever since someone told him that America was a wonderful place to live as people lived in homes with running water, heat, and there was plenty of food. I recall his job at the Officer’s Club in one of the Asian countries that he was living in at the time, and how the men there lived high on the hog. At least then he was able to eat at the club twice a day. It was there that he learned more about America.
I have no idea how China is today, but I have read that peasants still have a very hard time making ends meet, if they can make them meet at all.
I have a Chinese friend whom I met in Berkeley, California in the 70s. When she went back to visit China she said that they had no milk. I suppose milk was important to her since moving here, as she didn’t say whether China used to have milk. She had grown up during the revolution and had to help feed her family. She never talked about it, but she told our mutual friend that she did things that she didn’t like having to do in order to feed her family, that is, her parents and siblings. She and her family all live here now.
When I finished my breakfast, I walked up to the counter, bought Chi Fa’s book and asked him to autograph it for me. It is read and discussed in the schools in San Luis Obispo County, which Paso Robles and Morro Bay are both in, and all proceeds go to schools for scholarships. Chi Fa continues to give back to a country that took him in, one that fed and clothed him.
Morro Bay is the best coastal town in California. It has not changed over the years since I grew up in the area. How fortunate it is that the author of this book lives there, and that his home looks out at the ocean. It would be fortunate if we, my husbands and I, lived there too. We had other fortunes in life. Morro Bay was just a place to visit for us.
We went to California last year to visit my family--a family reunion. My brother, who was fortunate enough to have never left Paso Robles, told us about The Coffee Pot Restaurant, so we met there for breakfast. The service was great, and the food was excellent.
In the meantime I heard about its owner, who had written a book about his escape from communist China in the early 50s. During that time I was living in Paso Robles, only coming to Morro Bay with my parents to eat at a sea food restaurant, check out the sea lions, the pelicans, and the tide pools. Chi Fa, the author of this book, was starving in China, he lost both of his parents, and relatives couldn’t afford to feed him, so he was shuffled around to different ones who didn’t want him because they couldn’t feed him. Some were even physically abusive, in fact, it seemed that that is all he got from them outside of a small bowl of rice. How different our lives were.
Chi Fa didn’t make it to the U.S. until 1969, but his book doesn’t say when he came to Morro Bay or when he bought the restaurant. He really was a person with Double Luck.
I think of his Dicksonian life, and then I recall his escape from China, a life that no child should have to live. No one, in fact, should have to live like he had.
He begged in the streets and gave his brother all the money he had made, even when he got a real job. His brother gambled and drank it all away, well, perhaps he used some for rent and food. But I suppose this made Chi Fa strong in the long run; I don’t know.
As I look back at our time eating in his restaurant, I wonder if Chi Fa thinks often of his days where he had begged for money to buy food. I do know this, he is very grateful for having come to America, a dream of his ever since someone told him that America was a wonderful place to live as people lived in homes with running water, heat, and there was plenty of food. I recall his job at the Officer’s Club in one of the Asian countries that he was living in at the time, and how the men there lived high on the hog. At least then he was able to eat at the club twice a day. It was there that he learned more about America.
I have no idea how China is today, but I have read that peasants still have a very hard time making ends meet, if they can make them meet at all.
I have a Chinese friend whom I met in Berkeley, California in the 70s. When she went back to visit China she said that they had no milk. I suppose milk was important to her since moving here, as she didn’t say whether China used to have milk. She had grown up during the revolution and had to help feed her family. She never talked about it, but she told our mutual friend that she did things that she didn’t like having to do in order to feed her family, that is, her parents and siblings. She and her family all live here now.
When I finished my breakfast, I walked up to the counter, bought Chi Fa’s book and asked him to autograph it for me. It is read and discussed in the schools in San Luis Obispo County, which Paso Robles and Morro Bay are both in, and all proceeds go to schools for scholarships. Chi Fa continues to give back to a country that took him in, one that fed and clothed him.
June 21, 2013
I got this inspiring book on the last day of my Morrow Bay visit earlier this month. My husband and I enjoyed breakfast at the Coffee Pot, and the collection of vibrant red books on the shelf were calling to me. I'm so grateful that I discovered Double Luck, it was an easy quick read and made me appreciate comfortable life I have enjoyed in America. Lu Chi Fa is an inspirational author; reading Double Luck will inspire you too.
October 4, 2009
I gave this book four stars not for its writing but for how much I enjoyed the story.
Last summer my husband and I stayed in Morro Bay, California. We went to a restaurant called The Coffee Pot. I read in our camp ground blurb that he had written a book about his life as an orphan. The book was sold locally. I was intrigued as to how someone who grew up as an orphan ended up owning a restaurant.
His story is intriguing indeed. His parents died when he was three and no one wanted him. He grew up as Communism was overtaking China. His life is very sad; however, the way he handles the things that happen to him, his attitude towards life, is a lesson to us all.
His book seems to be aimed towards children as he wants to give them the hope and courage that he had. Proceeds from the sales of his book go to a scholarship fund. So far he has raised $30,000. To quote Che Fa, "When I was a boy, crying out for help and no one helped me, I vowed that if ever I should get to America and I could help others, I would do so. I am fulfilling that promise with my scholarship fund."
My only disappointment is that I want to know what happened once he reached the shores of America. I know that he had learned some English before coming here, but he came alone. Where did he go? What did he do? His epilogue is about his sister. I wish it had told a bit about his life after coming to America.
Last summer my husband and I stayed in Morro Bay, California. We went to a restaurant called The Coffee Pot. I read in our camp ground blurb that he had written a book about his life as an orphan. The book was sold locally. I was intrigued as to how someone who grew up as an orphan ended up owning a restaurant.
His story is intriguing indeed. His parents died when he was three and no one wanted him. He grew up as Communism was overtaking China. His life is very sad; however, the way he handles the things that happen to him, his attitude towards life, is a lesson to us all.
His book seems to be aimed towards children as he wants to give them the hope and courage that he had. Proceeds from the sales of his book go to a scholarship fund. So far he has raised $30,000. To quote Che Fa, "When I was a boy, crying out for help and no one helped me, I vowed that if ever I should get to America and I could help others, I would do so. I am fulfilling that promise with my scholarship fund."
My only disappointment is that I want to know what happened once he reached the shores of America. I know that he had learned some English before coming here, but he came alone. Where did he go? What did he do? His epilogue is about his sister. I wish it had told a bit about his life after coming to America.
Read
May 6, 2016This book had a amazing journey.This book probably had everything that makes a good book except for magic.The plot and story line were so good you Can't even imagine it being a autobiography.I would recommend this book to everyone that watches the news because they will have more of a understanding of why Americans think a sertent way about China.
October 19, 2020
Oh my gosh, what an amazing story and so very sad. This poor childs parents die when he is 3 years old then is passed around from family member to family member, not wanted, then sold for a couple of bags of rice to people who treated him terribly then ends up with a brother who steals his money. This young man lived through such terrible things and yet he always was kind and eventually got his wish to come to America. A very good book to read to a child in this country to show how bad others have had it.
February 10, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was a great book! It was devastating, hopeful, heart-wrenching, and I want to know more! This book tells the story of Lu Chi Fa who lost his parents at the age of three and then spent the next decade+ of his life being fostered by different family members (most of whom did not treat him well). One family member even sold him as an indentured servant when he was a very young child! While indentured, he was starved and abused by the person who purchased him. This true story is not for the faint of heart. It is hard to believe that the sweet, kind man with a huge smile when I bought this book from in Morro Bay went through all of this before he was 15 - most of the incredibly traumatic stuff happened before he was 10! I am in utter awe of Lu Chi Fa. His resiliency and hopefulness is inspiring. I wish he didn't have to go through it, but I think the world is a much better place to have someone like him in it.
I'd love to read a second book about what happened after Lu Chi Fa came to the US and eventually opened his restaurant in Morro Bay, California. Thank you for sharing your story, Lu Chi Fa.
Thank you signing my copy and for the delicious breakfasts in 2016 and 2018. My husband and I visited the Coffee Pot on our first trip together and he proposed to me three years later when we revisited Morro Bay and the Coffee Pot Restaurant. This book will hold a double special place in my heart and on my forever shelf.
I'd love to read a second book about what happened after Lu Chi Fa came to the US and eventually opened his restaurant in Morro Bay, California. Thank you for sharing your story, Lu Chi Fa.
Thank you signing my copy and for the delicious breakfasts in 2016 and 2018. My husband and I visited the Coffee Pot on our first trip together and he proposed to me three years later when we revisited Morro Bay and the Coffee Pot Restaurant. This book will hold a double special place in my heart and on my forever shelf.
July 29, 2024
My great uncle met Lu Chi Fa at his restaurant and he gave him a signed copy of this book. Was such an interesting read!
November 22, 2013
Book Title: Double Luck, Memoirs of a Chinese Orphan
Author: Lu Chi Fa with Becky White
Lexile: 740
Star Rating: 5 stars
I loved this book, because it really got me into a mindset of what's it like to be unwanted. Chi Fa was unwanted by everyone and passed along, he went from family member to family member, stranger to stranger. He was really unwanted by a lot of people. I also liked this book because I thought it was really well written and it gave really good descriptions, it made you feel in the setting and fighting on his side. I also liked it because I thought his story was really intriguing and reeled me into this book.
My favorite part was by far when he was with his aunt. I, as a reader, could really feel the connection between the two of them, and when he was taken away from the people who took his money and abused him, I felt so relieved that he could have a better life with someone who actually cares about his health. I also liked this part because it was really the turning point for him and that's when he got encouraged by others to follow his life long dream and go to America.
My least favorite part was when he was with the communist parents because they abused him so much and punished him for little things, it really disturbes me that they would beat a little 5 year old boy for not knowing better. I also didn't like this part because I thought it was when he got a majority of his bad memories and that really darkend his future. Throughout the book he reflects back to these horrible memories and has to hope that it won't happen to him again, he was sadly beaten multiple times and starved, at one point he could barely walk because he had no food.
I would recommend this book to anyone over 11 because I think it would bring awareness to child abuse and hopefully stop this problem.
Author: Lu Chi Fa with Becky White
Lexile: 740
Star Rating: 5 stars
I loved this book, because it really got me into a mindset of what's it like to be unwanted. Chi Fa was unwanted by everyone and passed along, he went from family member to family member, stranger to stranger. He was really unwanted by a lot of people. I also liked this book because I thought it was really well written and it gave really good descriptions, it made you feel in the setting and fighting on his side. I also liked it because I thought his story was really intriguing and reeled me into this book.
My favorite part was by far when he was with his aunt. I, as a reader, could really feel the connection between the two of them, and when he was taken away from the people who took his money and abused him, I felt so relieved that he could have a better life with someone who actually cares about his health. I also liked this part because it was really the turning point for him and that's when he got encouraged by others to follow his life long dream and go to America.
My least favorite part was when he was with the communist parents because they abused him so much and punished him for little things, it really disturbes me that they would beat a little 5 year old boy for not knowing better. I also didn't like this part because I thought it was when he got a majority of his bad memories and that really darkend his future. Throughout the book he reflects back to these horrible memories and has to hope that it won't happen to him again, he was sadly beaten multiple times and starved, at one point he could barely walk because he had no food.
I would recommend this book to anyone over 11 because I think it would bring awareness to child abuse and hopefully stop this problem.
May 6, 2016
This book is about a young boy , Lu Chi Fa who had a bad childhood. While growing up his parents died and he had to live with his sister .. but then his sister sold him to communist parents who treated him kindly at first but then began to mistreat him . Later on his sister had gotten him back . As before Chi Fa was still going from place to place . Once Chi Fa lived with his brother they met a coyote who helped them into freedom . When they were free Chi Fa would beg other people for money or rice . One day when Chi Fa got home him and his brother got into an argument and he demanded for all his money to purchase a bike .. Chi Fa then got fed up and left his brother and nephew . He then got a job a house and provided for him self . One day at work Chi Fa met this guy who seemed sad , and as kind as Chi Fa was he asked how he was doing . The guy then told him how his close friend left to America . Chi Fa was very courious on how he got there since he was young and you need to be an certain age to leave unless you prove you are worthy of businesses. So he did and he was able to go to America .
May 2, 2016
This book was about a Chinese orphan named Lu Chi Fa. His parents when he was only three years old. He was passed around throughout his village, sometimes living with family, sometimes living with complete strangers because nobody else would take him. He ends up with many different people, some who torture him, like his Communist adopters or his own aunt, and some treat like he is the most precious thing in the world, like his sister or an old lady he calls his grandma. He moves to Shanghai, Canton, Hong Kong, and even Taiwan. In the end, after many hardships and finally escaping a communist-ruled China, he only has one wish, and that is to go to America.
I would strongly recommend this book to people that like to read memoirs about growing up through hard times and who would like to know about Chinese culture and every day life.
I would strongly recommend this book to people that like to read memoirs about growing up through hard times and who would like to know about Chinese culture and every day life.
May 3, 2018
I grew up on the Central Coast of California, but Lu Chi Fa arrived just as I was leaving so I never met him in my childhood. This year I returned to a visit and elderly friends who were frequent diners at his restaurant in Morro Bay took me there for breakfast. I purchased the book and Lu Chi Fa swept in to give me a restaurant mug and a hug with the book. He clearly had a very warm spirit.
That warm spirit comes through in the book where he is continually thinking of others through his turbulent childhood years. Though I only met him for a second, I have no doubt that is true. It seems a near miracle that he survived and obtained his childhood dream of living in America. The book is a delight to read and in its purity a condemnation of the "I want to talk to the manager" self-righteousness that permeates American culture.
That warm spirit comes through in the book where he is continually thinking of others through his turbulent childhood years. Though I only met him for a second, I have no doubt that is true. It seems a near miracle that he survived and obtained his childhood dream of living in America. The book is a delight to read and in its purity a condemnation of the "I want to talk to the manager" self-righteousness that permeates American culture.
October 23, 2016
Double Luck Memoirs of a Chinese Orphan, by Lu Chi Fa with Becky White is a book about an orphan boy who lost both of his parents at age three. The book talks about how Chi Fa lived in so many places and how each place and person taught him something. It also talks about how his dream was to go to America and how that dream came true. This book is a great book to read because in each page you read you would be excited to know what will happen next to Chi Fa. This book makes you feel that you are living the experience with Chi Fa and feeling his emotions. It is a great and interesting book to read.
August 9, 2016
A really easy read, I finished it in one day, and was very interesting. Shows you can get far if you are kind to people and work hard, a message we don't hear often enough.
January 6, 2022
I read Double Luck: Memoirs of a Chinese Orphan from a recommendation by a friend. I was told it would be "heart-wrenching" and "powerful." After diving into this story, I can confirm both are true. This story of bravery, determination, and strong will in a child so young was absolutely inspirational. I would recommend this book any day of the week. This little window into communist China broadened my worldview tremendously. Before reading this book I had no idea of the hardships, the famine, and the communist takeover that took place in China. This book left me more educated than I was before, and in my mind that’s the best thing a novel can do.
Chi Fa, or "double luck" as it translates to in English, was a Chinese orphan who it was made clear was unwanted by anyone around him. He was passed from household to household, experiencing varying levels of abuse from his many caretakers over the years. He persevered through extreme starvation, verbal abuse, and the coldest of winters spent outside. Even with these conditions, he kept his head held high and he remembered his values. He worked for everything he got to enjoy in life, and he worked without complaints. This story made me think about just how fortunate my life is, and how many small things I take for granted.
There is no question that I would recommend this book, I believe that audiences of all ages and backgrounds could benefit from learning this story. I especially enjoyed the writing style, which was purposely in imperfect English to demonstrate the voice it would be spoken in. I also took notice of the lessons taught through Chi Fa’s adventures. We, as the readers, were learning values like compassion and work ethic alongside Chi Fa as he travels along his path. One final reason that I would recommend this book is because I think the general population should be aware of the hardships different cultures experienced in the past. This first hand retelling of life in communist China is a critical piece of world history, and knowing about it provides insight and knowledge about the culture of other countries.
Chi Fa, or "double luck" as it translates to in English, was a Chinese orphan who it was made clear was unwanted by anyone around him. He was passed from household to household, experiencing varying levels of abuse from his many caretakers over the years. He persevered through extreme starvation, verbal abuse, and the coldest of winters spent outside. Even with these conditions, he kept his head held high and he remembered his values. He worked for everything he got to enjoy in life, and he worked without complaints. This story made me think about just how fortunate my life is, and how many small things I take for granted.
There is no question that I would recommend this book, I believe that audiences of all ages and backgrounds could benefit from learning this story. I especially enjoyed the writing style, which was purposely in imperfect English to demonstrate the voice it would be spoken in. I also took notice of the lessons taught through Chi Fa’s adventures. We, as the readers, were learning values like compassion and work ethic alongside Chi Fa as he travels along his path. One final reason that I would recommend this book is because I think the general population should be aware of the hardships different cultures experienced in the past. This first hand retelling of life in communist China is a critical piece of world history, and knowing about it provides insight and knowledge about the culture of other countries.
August 15, 2019
I got this book from the author himself at Morrow Bay California, the book itself is a enjoyable experience to read. It keeps you interested in it with the author having to face many hardships and I love the setting as well. It takes place in China when Communism is starting to grow and over take China. Reading about what the author has gone through is truly heartbreaking and the fact that it is true makes it sickening at times to read.
The book goes through different times in the author's life, starting at toddler and ending at present day. Through out the book the author learns how to be "A good boy". You take away that we must be thankful for everything that we have because people in China dream about the simplest things. All in all the book is a great read and keeps you reading.
The book goes through different times in the author's life, starting at toddler and ending at present day. Through out the book the author learns how to be "A good boy". You take away that we must be thankful for everything that we have because people in China dream about the simplest things. All in all the book is a great read and keeps you reading.
August 31, 2018
Lu Chi Fa became an orphan at three years old. He was bounced from one relative to another, sold, often hungry, near starvation, bitterly cold. Despite extreme hardship, he showed compassion and kindness and when he learned about America, he dreamed of coming to this place where he could have a life, and not just an existence.
Sometimes we need to take a breath and see the lives of others in our world to appreciate the blessings we have to live in our country ... to see what others can only dream about.
This is a wonderful little book and was a fast read. I would highly recommend it to others.
Sometimes we need to take a breath and see the lives of others in our world to appreciate the blessings we have to live in our country ... to see what others can only dream about.
This is a wonderful little book and was a fast read. I would highly recommend it to others.
January 13, 2020
This book is about an tragic orphan boy living in North Korea. The book is about and orphan boy trying to find a home and a family. The orphan boy sets his mind to go to South Korea were it was more safe. This book is good because it makes you feel the emotions the boy had in the story and the struggle of his adventure. The author made the choice to let you feel the struggle the boy had throughout the whole story. This book is about a boy that got left behind by his family and the now orphan boy starts his way to South Korea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2018
Absolutely beautiful! Perfectly written for a younger audience, but with such gorgeous imagery! I couldn't put it down; I highly recommend this book!
I think the thing I appreciated the most was the creative titling of each chapter. Each chapter's title includes both the setting of that chapter and a lesson learned in that chapter of the author's life. Not only are these good lessons for everyone, but they also represent a universal theme that rings true in all generations.
I think the thing I appreciated the most was the creative titling of each chapter. Each chapter's title includes both the setting of that chapter and a lesson learned in that chapter of the author's life. Not only are these good lessons for everyone, but they also represent a universal theme that rings true in all generations.
November 6, 2022
A great American Dream story. Lu Chi Fa was born in China in 1941 and became an orphan as a toddler. He was shuffled among older siblings during his childhood, often beaten, mistreated and under fed. At one time his sister-in-law sold him to a Communist couple. He survived many hardships, eventually coming to the USA where he became a successful restaurant owner in Morro Bay, California.
February 21, 2019
Two word to live by. Courage and kindness. Those two words tell the story of this young child. I read this book for HB Reads. I am glad I did. It is a quick read, but says a ton about human character.
February 26, 2019
A simply written tale of a young boy who persevered orphanhood, Communist rule, and warm and cruel treatment by family and strangers and fulfilled his dream to live in America.
I plan to visit his restaurant next time I head to the Central Coast.
I plan to visit his restaurant next time I head to the Central Coast.
January 16, 2022
A very, very easy book to read. But sometimes the simple truth is Divine and much more valuable than many pretentious words.
True Story...Love, Loved this book. Life lesson in each chapter. Author retired and now lives
in Morro Bay, CA
True Story...Love, Loved this book. Life lesson in each chapter. Author retired and now lives
in Morro Bay, CA
July 25, 2024
He owns a restaurant in Pismo. He was orphaned at 3and passed between relatives and then sold to a Communist couple. He finally came to the US.
Good story, the writing is not commensurate with the strength of the story.
Could give to grade 4 and up.
Good story, the writing is not commensurate with the strength of the story.
Could give to grade 4 and up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2024
Lu Chi Fa takes the reader right alongside him as he shares his memoirs and most hunble upbringing. Yet, the ending leaves out many years and is a mystery when he arrives in America. Despite the blessings of his home and restaurant; he leaves his life in America a mystery.
May 24, 2018
Amazing story, inspirational. We have met him at his restaurant in Morro Bay, California.
April 7, 2021
What a pleasure to meet the man into read his book.
August 24, 2021
This book has me in tears no matter how many times I’ve read it. Forever a beautiful story.
May 28, 2022
such a sad story but very inspiring. this book brings you through someone's whole life journey, a truly beautiful book. would highly recommend! x
May 6, 2024
one of my fav books it was very real and tragic
August 20, 2024
My fav book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews