On Gold Mountain

I am a big fan of Lisa See and have read all of her books except one. I enjoy her writing style, her meticulous research, and her unfailing attempt to bring people, places, and periods of history that few people know much about to life.On Golden Mountain was her first book and is the story of her family’s immigration to the US from China in the mid-19th Century. Family is an understatement, however, as the patriarch, Fong See, had four wives, one of which was Caucasian, and each had multiple children. By the time she gets to her own generation, therefore, the family tree is inconceivable, made all the more confusing by the fact that many Westerners have difficulty with Chinese names. A graphical family tree would have been immensely helpful but, alas, the Kindle version that I read does not have one.Unlike See’s other works, this is not so much a novel as it is a journal. In fairness to the author, however, she never promises anything else. She states, in fact, that her family was and is really quite ordinary, although she is right that there is “a lot to be learned from the ordinary and it’s that very ordinariness that links my family to all American families.”Her family did, however, face incredible hardship as a result of extreme prejudice on the Golden Mountain (the US). Sadly, that story continues, if not for the Chinese (although it still exists for them far more than you might realize), then for the same people chasing the same dreams who simply hail from a different origin and by sheer happenstance of birth happen to have a different skin color.Although I am an American Caucasian by birth I have lived, off and on, in China since 2007. I currently live in Beijing. And one of the reasons I have so enjoyed Lisa See’s work is that she is one of the few authors writing in English that seems to fully comprehend the difference between Western and Chinese culture. It’s a difference not just of traditions and habits but of worldview and perspective.You won’t find as much of that insight in this book, but again, that wasn’t her purpose. And while it is a bit long, it had to be given the size of the clan and the number of generations covered. I have found that Chinese culture (and the way they drive) is guided more by the rules of flowing water than the discrete rules and traditions of Western culture. I suggest, therefore, that you will enjoy the book more if you don’t worry too much about who is related to whom. It’s the flow of the lineage that’s important.One reward for reading to the end, however, is that See finally reveals the family member that she is related to. That was obviously deliberate. She clearly deduced that once the reader knows the other characters will not carry equal significance and she wants to tell the family’s story, not just hers. Very clever. I have to admit, however, that as I read the book I found not knowing a bit of a distraction. The question hovered in the back of my mind throughout and gave me the uncomfortable sense that there was something that the author was withholding from the reader. I ultimately concede to her decision, however. It was the right one.In the end, the author notes “nothing has been more important or precious to me than my family being proud of me.” And, “What I learned from writing On Gold Mountain is that all that really matters in life is family, tradition, and love.” And that lesson resonates throughout the book. It is the book’s ultimate theme.So if that is a message you can relate to or need at the moment, I suggest you dive in.

This book reminded me of  China Men (Vintage International)  by Maxine Hong Kingston, which was about the history of Chinese immigrants in the U.S.. This memoir looks at one such Chinese family who came from a village outside of Canton, China, and became wealthy in California through antiques. I first read China Men while taking some Asian history classes in university, and now came across this book, which came out at around that same time. It would have been a perfect accompaniment to China Men.One of the book's themes is the struggle for acceptance into a culture as an outsider, in the See's family, it was as a biracial family. I recall reading about similar discriminatory experiences in other Asian-American books like  Falling leaves return to their roots (Paperback) (Traditional Chinese Edition) . The struggles the main character, Fong See, had to go through with bringing his family to America, and his success at business allowed him to achieve the American dream, although, what he really wanted was to pursue the Chinese dream, something the Chinese government is just now trying to promote, even though people have many different interpretations of what that really is.The reader gets to see the history of a Caucasian family from the East coast move to the West coast, and how one girl who runs away from home ends up meeting Fong See, the author's grandfather. Even though it's a real family history, the author states there is a mixture of reality and fantasy in the stories of each of the main characters, those being Fong See's first wife and their five children. There is a famous actress and some close family friends who add their interesting lives into the overarching See family history, too. It was fun to read about how a family restaurant brought early Hollywood stars into Chinatown and into the lives of the Sees. Within the love stories of how each person found their spouses, the reader gets to see the struggles they go through in business and in love.Fong See is an example of a strict and traditional Chinese father, but his children grew up American, and the clash between East and West runs through the book. The focus was always on the discrimination and struggles each character had with gaining respect, and equal opportunities as a minority in American culture.It was interesting to read about the changes in Chinatown through the century, and a good tour of the changes in immigration history of the U.S., like what happened on Angel Island and how certain politicians use immigration to garner votes.I enjoyed the archival photos of old Chinatown and the photos in old Canton where the family built their hotel.The book might appear a bit negative, but that's the discrimination the characters faced during that time in U.S. history. It's the author's way to bring forth the other side of the story. It's not all negative as there are other family friends who help and support them.It is a history of a hyphenated-American family. Some people ask why can't we be just Americans? It's because some people chose to hold onto their first culture as well, and blend the two together. It's coming to grips with your roots and gaining a better understanding of who you are. I think this memoir gives voice to not just the See family, but to what other Chinese families had to overcome as they try to start new lives in a new land.

This is a very well written and researched book. It's a good but by no means light read. A useful book for acedemic research. Goes into much detail and the areas researched are well chosen. It is lightly peppered with anecdotal observation which helps the reader get through what is quite a long book. It is probably of most interest to those who enjoyed (?) the NS experience as did I!

Great start! Must, very readable and wonderfully researched book about what the Chinese meant to the building of the US.When the author gets to the last chapters, I.e. parents and self, by force, I guess, it became less interesting, and for my taste, a big come down and small reward for finishing the book.

As someone who enjoys 'Who do you think you are' a story of a Chinese American family over four generations is a must read. I knew the Chinese built the rail road in the west but had not realised the extent of American prejudice and the laws against the Chinese in the last century. The impact of one Chinese patriarch was a revelation, and how others in the family came to terms with his influence and power was interesting. Not disappointed in the book.

have not finished it yet. very much a family story and keeps you interested. having family photos is also interesting. one also learns a bit about the history of the chinese when they imigrated into america- appear to have been treated with little accceptance - only as a lower member of society. one supposes that this is the case for any influx of a different nationality into another country, and that it takes one or two generations before they are really setttled, and part of that new country.

An education in 'how to' establish a dynasty through belief; hard work; tenacity; egotism and national pride, AS WELL AS, the support of a long suffering family. SEE was a lovable rogue who produced enough progeny to populate his own Chinatown in China as well us in the U.S.A. An interesting insight into one man's drive to succeed where others had failed. Just a little too heavy with extended family names, but very thorough.