Lily Chan

This book is the biography of Lily Chan’s grandmother Toyo. Toyo was born in Japan, daughter of the concubine of a wealthy merchant. Toyo’s father set up Toyo and her mother in a comfortable home in Osaka. Toyo grew up here. Then her mother becomes terminally ill and Toyo’s life changes. She is only 16.

She marries Ryu, a Chinese man. The Chinese are not held in very high esteem in Japan at this time. By making this choice Toyo must surrender her Japanese passport and be considered Chinese herself. Ryu has a large family and life is completely different for Toyo. She is welcomed warmly and adjusts to this new life. She has children and eventually moves to Western Australia.

The writing style is interesting. The first half is like lots of little stories, or memories, told in succession which made the book easy to pick up and read a little and put down. As Toyo gets older (and the author is born and becomes part of the story) the stories roll along more continuously. I liked the writing style, and learned a lot about the Japanese culture. It was also interesting to read about what it was like for Toyo to try and assimilate into the Australian culture, to learn about the struggles of being an immigrant in a totally foreign country.… (plus d'informations)