The Jade Peony

by Wayson Choy

Book Overview

Chinatown, Vancouver, in the late 1930s and '40s provides the backdrop for this poignant first novel, told through the vivid reminiscences of the three younger children of an immigrant Chinese family.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1550544683
• ISBN13: 9781550544688
• Release Date: April 2011
• Publisher: Douglas & McIntyre
• Length: 278 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.1" x 7.6"

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!