Sweet Mandarin: The Courageous True Story of Three Generations of Chinese Women and Their Journey from East to West Review

Immigrants are responsible for starting many successful businesses and the United States has been enriched over its two- hundred plus years in existence by the helpful, innovative hand of immigrants. Other western nations have also benefited from the tireless work of foreign residents who wanted nothing more than a better life for their families. One nation that has certainly reaped the benefits of the entrepreneurial spirit of immigrants is England and in this book, Sweet Mandarin: The Courageous True Story of Three Generations of Chinese Women and Their Journey From East to West, author Helen Tse presents a biography of her grandparents, parents, and siblings, showing how immigration from China to Hong Kong and ultimately to England has shaped their lives and the lives of those around them.

Book Commentary:

Sweet Mandarin is a true story about several generations of Chinese women who shared a talent for making food and a determination to succeed and build a better life for their families. This book was written by Helen Tse, a young woman whose grandmother immigrated to England to improve the lives of herself and her children through the family talent for preparing great- tasting food. Helen Tse conducted much family research to compose this book and it stretches all the way back to the early days of the twentieth century when her great- grandfather Leung was working hard to support his family. Leung had the entrepreneurial spirit and he was very devoted to his family. He had no problem uprooting the family and relocating if he knew that doing so would improve their lives. He relocated to Hong Kong due to favorable business conditions and his next of kin, Lily, continued the trend by moving to England many years later.

Carving out a new life in new surroundings is never easy and Sweet Mandarin offers many stories of heartbreak, frustration, and tragedy. Leung, a beloved and respected man in his community, was murdered senselessly, leaving his wife and kids penniless. Leung's daughter Lily was devastated, but she was determined to succeed and she thought her marriage to Kwok Chan several years later was the answer to her dreams. But Chan had many personal problems and the marriage did not last. Lily then had to make a living on her own, having lost the man of her dreams. She ended up a successful restaurant owner in England, only to see her restaurant shut down thanks in part to her own gambling addiction.  But the food business was in her and her children's blood and the torch was passed to her daughter Mabel who then passed on the love of food and creativity to her own children.

Sweet Mandarin features profiles of many different personalities who have helped shape this family's heritage and more than anyone else, the book focuses on Lily, the author's grandmother. The reason is simple: Of all the women featured in the book, Lily has contributed the most of the three generations to the family's success and security. From her granddaughter and author Helen's perspective, Lily is the one who deserves the bulk of the credit for the family's success because it was Lily who endured the most heartache and the most setbacks. She overcame the murder of her father, the cheating of her husband, and living the life of a servant so that she could make a decent living for her family. And while all of the women in the book display signs of courage, Lily is the one who seems the most courageous of all. She could have easily broken down and given up, but she continues to push forward. Her decision to move to England was her most daring and, ultimately, her most rewarding. She had some personal issues with casinos that slowed down her business prospects but her daughter Mabel and her grandchildren helped to continue the tradition regardless, starting a new restaurant business of their own, which is highly successful today.

Sweet Mandarin is best when it is presenting the biographical sketches of Lily and others and their dedication to hard work. The book is written in a very respectful way, even when the people involved were committing less than respectable acts. Helen Tse doesn't have a negative word to say about anyone, but she is somewhat condemning of Chinese culture's second- class status of women. She cannot understand why this mindset continues to penetrate Chinese society but she points out that progress has certainly been made, and her own success in academics (and in writing), along with the strong approval of her own father and others, is proof that attitudes are changing for the better.

If there is one thing I didn't like about Sweet Mandarin, it is the book's lack of explanations regarding certain Chinese customs and traditions. Some are explained, but others are not and unless the reader knows much about Chinese history, he/she may not completely understand the significance of what is taking place. The book is also lacking in its coverage of the lives of Helen herself and her siblings. I realize that her business venture with Sweet Mandarin restaurant is only a few years old, but it would have been nice to read a little more about Helen, her two sisters, her brother, and their contributions to the family heritage.

Bottom Line Viewpoint:

Immigrants have achieved a great deal of success in many countries and they are usually very hard working and prosperous when they make their way to a foreign land that promises greater opportunity. Sweet Mandarin is a very good biographical book about several generations of Chinese and their determination to gain financial security, independence, and stability while also bringing smiles to thousands of people through their culinary talents. Like a healthy serving of General Tao's Chicken, Sweet Mandarin is certain to please even the most finicky among us with its storytelling and inspiration.