Fifth Chinese Daughter

This memoir chronicles Jade Snow Wong's experiences growing up in Chinatown, showcasing her struggles with cultural expectations. Fifth Chinese Daughter remains a cornerstone of Asian American literature.

Jade Snow Wong’s autobiography, Fifth Chinese Daughter, presents a vivid account of her upbringing in San Francisco's Chinatown. It explores her experiences as the daughter of Chinese immigrants, highlighting the cultural expectations and pressures she faced. The narrative delves into her strict family life, where traditional values often clashed with her desire for independence and self-expression. Through her journey, Wong reveals the complexities of identity and the struggles of balancing familial loyalty with personal aspirations.

Originally published in 1950, Fifth Chinese Daughter quickly became one of the most widely read works by an Asian American author in the twentieth century. The book not only chronicles Wong's personal story but also serves as a broader commentary on the Asian American experience during a time when such narratives were scarce. It gained significant attention, leading the US State Department to send Wong on a four-month speaking tour across Asia, further solidifying her role as a cultural ambassador.

This new edition of Fifth Chinese Daughter includes original illustrations by Kathryn Uhl and features an introduction by Leslie Bow. Bow critically examines the book's evolving reception and its lasting impact on Asian American literature. The memoir has influenced many prominent writers, including Amy Tan and Maxine Hong Kingston, marking its significance in the literary landscape and its role in shaping the representation of Asian American voices.