Dead Man's Gold - by Paul Yee (Paperback)

About the Book

Ten original ghost stories by Paul Yee dramatize the history of Chinese immigration to North America, from poor villagers who first came searching for gold in the late 1850s to new arrivals from Hong Kong. Told in the style of traditional Chinese folktales, they are illustrated with moody, abstract drawings by Harvey Chan.

In the title story, two friends seek gold, but the precious metal brings riches to one man and a curse to the other. In Seawall Sightings, young lovers kept apart by immigration laws have a tragic reunion. In Reunited, a spoiled teenage boy leaves Hong Kong for North America, only to find that his new life is not the glamorous one he had been expecting.

The stories describe the struggles, dreams, and resilience of people making new lives for themselves in a strange land, while retaining strong links to China and the past. In keeping with authentic Chinese ghost stories, wherever they go, the immigrants are followed by the curse of a friend, the ghost of a faithful spouse, or the spirit of a dead parent.

Book Synopsis

These ten original ghost stories dramatize the history of Chinese immigration to North America -- from the poor village men who first came searching for gold in the late 1850s to the new immigrants who arrived from Hong Kong in the wake of the Cultural Revolution. These stories describe the resilience and struggle of people trying to make new lives for themselves in a strange land. But these are also ghost stories, a popular narrative form in China. Though men and women seek their fortune in the New World, the links to China are strong.

Wherever they go, the Chinese immigrants are reminded of their home country -- the curse of a friend betrayed, the ghost of a faithful spouse, the spirit of a dead parent. The tales describe the plights and dreams of men and women, rich and poor, greedy and good, young and old. Together, they tell the tumultuous story of 140 years of Chinese immigration to North America, creating a New World mythology of immigrant stories.

Review Quotes

...alternately tragic, ironic and gentle...-- "Horn Book, STARRED REVIEW"

His plain, beautiful words speak with brutal honesty...-- "Booklist, STARRED REVIEW"

Yee is mining gold and we are all richer for it.-- "Quill & Quire"