The Brightest Star

Anna May Wong (1905-1961) may not be a name that is familiar to the present generation, but she was once world-famous as the only “real” Chinese actress to star in major movies in Hollywood. She also appeared in movies and on the stage in England and Europe.

At a time when anti-miscegenation was enshrined in law in America, it was impossible for her to play any romantic roles with a white actor. She was inevitably cast as the duplicitous or tragic second “oriental” woman who is never destined to get her man and, more often than not, has to die at the end.

Born into a Chinese-American family, she was caught between two cultures. Her father was opposed to her career path and lifestyle, considering it disgraceful for any daughter of his to make her own way in life, that her first duty was to marry and become subservient to her husband. Thus, Anna’s determination to be a successful actress led to monumental clashes with her father.

But that was only part of her struggle. Hollywood producers had a blinkered, even ignorant, concept of China and its people. In conjunction with “blackface” in which white actors were made up with dark make-up to play African-Americans, or “redface” to play First Nations people, there was “yellowface” as well for Asian characters.

Perhaps one of the most famous films in which two white actors played Chinese characters in “yellowface” was the 1937 Oscar-winning “The Good Earth”. (European Luise Rainer won Best Actress in a role that really belonged to Anna May Wong.)

What’s more, some of the roles Anna appeared in caused offence and consternation in China where her reputation took a battering for clichéd depictions of Chinese culture and characters.

No matter what she did, Anna just couldn’t win. Her personal life was fraught with other problems, including alcoholism and doomed relationships. She found far greater acceptance in Europe but always yearned for her Californian home.

Anna was definitely a pioneer and born ahead of her time. In more recent years she has finally been recognised in the United States for her achievements.

This novel reads like a personal memoir and is most engaging. Her character is so well-drawn by Gail Tsukiyama that one can sympathise with Anna’s frustrations and disappointments, feel deeply her indignation and outrage at her treatment, as well as celebrate her successes.

​Highly recommended.

Four-and-a-half stars.

(With thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.)
 

 
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