Not Your China Doll

The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong

By: Katie Gee Salisbury

Narrated by: Caroline McLaughlin, Katie Gee Salisbury

Length: 12 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

“Enlightening, nuanced, and honest.”—Lisa See

Set against the glittering backdrop of Los Angeles during the gin-soaked Jazz Age and the rise of Hollywood, this debut book celebrates Anna May Wong, the first Asian American movie star, to bring an unsung heroine to light and reclaim her place in cinema history.

One of Entertainment Weekly's "Books We Are Excited to Read in 2024"

Before Constance Wu, Sandra Oh, Awkwafina, or Lucy Liu, there was Anna May Wong. In her time, she was a legendary beauty, witty conversationalist, and fashion icon. Plucked from her family’s laundry business in Los Angeles, Anna May Wong rose to stardom in Douglas Fairbanks’s blockbuster The Thief of Bagdad. Fans and the press clamored to see more of this unlikely actress, but when Hollywood repeatedly cast her in stereotypical roles, she headed abroad in protest.

Anna May starred in acclaimed films in Berlin, Paris, and London. She dazzled royalty and heads of state across several nations, leaving trails of suitors in her wake. She returned to challenge Hollywood at its own game by speaking out about the industry’s blatant racism. She used her new stature to move away from her typecasting as the China doll or dragon lady, and worked to reshape Asian American representation in film.

Filled with stories of capricious directors and admiring costars, glamorous parties and far-flung love affairs, Not Your China Doll showcases the vibrant, radical life of a groundbreaking artist.

©2024 Katie Gee Salisbury (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

One of Autostraddle's Most Anticipated Queer Books for Spring 2024

One of All Arts's 10 New Books to Read This March

“A well-researched, thoughtful portrait of a groundbreaking woman whose ambition and artistic integrity far exceeded the limitations and challenges of her lifetime.”—EW's "Books We Are Excited to Read in 2024"

“[Anna May] Wong became the toast of Europe, brought global attention to Japan’s atrocities in China, and was the first Asian American to land her own TV series. Salisbury renders her epic life with flair.”—Hui Fei, CultureWag

“Author Salisbury tells the trailblazer’s [Anna May Wong's] tale in this definitive biography, packed with sizzling stories from film sets and decadent parties. Set against a backdrop of jazz-era Los Angeles, the result is a frank and sprightly account of the star’s life and legacy.”—Total Film Magazine

Beautiful & worthwhile read

I've been eagerly anticipating a comprehensive biography of Anna May Wong for quite some time, and this book certainly lives up to my expectations! As a longtime fan, I've delved into numerous writings about Anna May Wong, but they often varied in quality and accuracy. Previous biographies tended to rehash the same information without delving deeper. However, this new biography stands out for several reasons.

Here are the aspects of the book that I admire:

1. **Engaging Narrative Style:** Katie's narrative writing style is captivating, backed by thorough research that goes beyond mere summarization.
2. **Contextualization in Film History:** Anna May Wong's story is intricately woven into the fabric of film and Hollywood history, showcasing her relationships, challenges, and achievements.
3. **Empathetic Approach:** The book handles sensitive topics such as tragedies and personal struggles, like Anna May Wong's battle with alcoholism, with care and empathy.
4. **Comprehensive Portrait:** It presents a holistic view of Anna May Wong, debunking myths and offering a nuanced perspective on her contributions to history.
5. **Addressing Criticisms:** While some may find the book detailed or occasionally disjointed, I appreciate that every detail contributes meaningfully to the narrative and that the seemingly disjointed aspects actually add depth to her story.

Additionally, there are specific areas I'd love to see explored further, such as her friendships (i.e. Anthony Quinn), key life events on a timeline, family tree & history and her funeral among other things.

The voice of the Audible narrator was both enjoyable and engaging. I may be mistaken, but there may be mispronunciations of some names and words - particularly in Cantonese vs Mandarin. Again, I need to give it a re-listen.

In summary, I give this book a perfect 5/5 rating and intend to revisit it multiple times. It's a must-read for anyone interested in Anna May Wong's life and legacy! 💖

Hollywood History + , a DO NOT miss read

Early beginnings of the creation of Hollywood and the trials and tribulations of Anna May Wong, an Asian American trailblazer that set the path for many future minorities to navigate and achieve in the gauntlet that is the movie industry. An interesting and insightful read not to be missed.

Anna May deserves better than this

Boring. Tedious. Anna May was far more interesting than this dull read. She deserves so much better.