The Jade Peony: A Novel

By Wayson Choy

Book Overview

Chinatown, Vancouver, of the early 194Os provides the backdrop for this fresh, uplifting, award-winning first novel, told through the reminiscences of the three young children of an immigrant Chinese family. Jook-Liang is the useless girl of the family, who dreams of becoming Shirley Temple and escaping the rigid, old ways of China. Jung-Sum is the adopted middle son who triumphs over loss and prejudice through boxing, and soon finds himself grappling with a bewildering sexual attraction. Lastly, Sekky - the sickly youngest child - surprises the entire family by teaching them how to mourn, and how to go on living. Finally, there are the secrets and magic of two respected elders: Old Wong, The Monkey King, whose past returns to threaten his present and Poh-Poh, or Grandmother, who is the heart and pillar of the family. Side by side, her three grandchildren survive hardships and heartbreaks with grit and humor, discovering a new land without forgetting their common ground.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312155565
• ISBN13: 9780312155568
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Picador USA
• Length: 238 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 5.8" x 1.0" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

A Fantastic Read

The Jade Peony is a poignant tale about three Chinese children growing up in Vancouver's Chinatown during world war 2. Wayson Choy's writing is beautiful, searing, and eloquent. This book will keep you hooked. No wonder it won the Trillium Award. I had the honor of meeting Wayson Choy. He is a delightful person, and his talent definitely shines through in his works. Highly recommended to anyone!

A Beautiful Book

If you ever visit Vancouver, read this book while you are there. You can picture the family going to the docks, looking at the north shore mountains. And while many of the old homes are gone, a vibrant Chinatown and the streets he mentions are still there. He makes the book come alive. Perhaps you will even see Grandmama's shadow!

An Excellent Read!

This book is a heartwarming tale of children in Vancouver's Chinatown in the 30's and 40's, their struggles, victories, and losses. Centered around 3 childrens lives which are completely different except for their relationships with each other, it presents many interesting challenges and victories over the obstacles that hinder us all.

Powerful ....

THis is an amazing book! MY father grew up in Chinatown (Vancouver) at appox. the same time, it's nice to read and try to understand his early life. I read the first part in a matter of days. It was so powerful that I cried, in the middle of the waiting room at my doctors office. I still have not read the entire book as I'm scared to experence such powerful emotions, in public. I will finish it though.

Choy's beautiful Peony

I enjoyed this book immensely. It is a wonderful account of the lives of three young Chinese-Canadians in the 30's and 40's. The descriptive work enthralled me for hours, I just couldn't put it down. The characters were absolutely enchanting. I especially enjoyed the character of "Sekky", the "weak" one. The way that Choy tells a story is absolutely fantastic. I am definetly going to find some more of his work!