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From Publishers Weekly
The eponymous narrator of this first novel, which bulldozes stereotypes about supposed Chinese timidity and passivity, isn't a cartoon character but a smart 12-year-old Chinese-American boy who, with all the vehemence and certainty of youth, spits on everyone and everything Chinese. Although his female characters are underdeveloped and often the humor is broad and seems to exclude its audience, Chin's descriptions are acute and gifted, vivifying the virtuoso technique of Donald's father, who fashions 108 model airplanes--named for Chinese outlaw heroes--that he plans to launch and set afire during the Chinese New Year celebration, and Donald's nighttime dreams, which cast him as an underaged railroad builder in 1869 California, one of 1200 unheralded Chinese workers. The New Year festival in San Francisco's Chinatown becomes Donald's rite of passage and doorway to self-acceptance and -respect; Donald and the reader find themselves on an odyssey that is at once stinging and seductive, reclaiming the exquisite myths of a beautiful and proud ancient civilization. Chin wrote the short-fiction collection The Chinaman Pacific this is correct/pk & Frisco R.R. Co.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
In San Francisco's Chinatown, a boy's 12th Chinese New Year is a momentous occasion, but Donald feels cranky about the holiday, annoyed by his comical name, and by all things Chinese. Over the festive days, folklore, Donald's singular family, and his alluring dreams of the historic completion of the Central Pacific Railroad by Chinese workers in 1869 draw him to a new, emphatic racial pride. A California-based playwright, poet, and outspoken critic against Chinese-American stereotypes, Chin spices his first novel with a flip, clipped, present-tense narrative voice, slapstick dialog, and kinetic dreamscapes. The result is a tart social comment packed into a cartoon, with verbal energy verging on hyperactivity. Recommended for contemporary, regional, and YA fiction collections.
- Janet Ingraham, Spartanburg Cty. P.L., S.C.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Janet Ingraham, Spartanburg Cty. P.L., S.C.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most helpful customer reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Overrated,
By A Customer
This review is from: Donald Duk (Paperback)
I read this book in my freshman Foundations to Literature Class in high school. From the first page, I found this book incredibly boring. Frank Chin uses the 3rd person to write his novel about a boy who hates his heritage. While there are a couple interesting dream sequences (the only reason this book got 2 stars), the book is continually boring. The ending in particular is horrible, and leaves many uninteresting questions that the book is based on unanswered. I highly discourage you from buying this incredibly overrated book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Goong hay fot choy!,
By bookworm2001@asianavenue.com (Chinatown, CA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Donald Duk (Paperback)
As I write, Chinese New Year is coming in about a week. What better way to celebrate by reading this small masterpiece (that takes place during Chinese New Year). This book is also like a history book. You'll find out about how the Chinese broke the tracklaying record (in chapters 4, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17). The Chinese have been underestimated about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. In fact, when they finished building it on May 10, 1869 at Promontory, they were left out of the famous picture. Unfair, isn't it? But, this is what King Duk has to say: "Fair? What's fair? History is war, not sport! You think if you are real good boy for them, do what they do, like what they like, get good grades in their schools, they will take care of you forever? Do you believe that? You're dreaming, boy. That is faith, sincere belief in the goodness of others and none of your own. That's mysticism. You believe in the goodness of others to cover your butt, you're good for nothing. So, don't expect me to get mad or be surprised the bokgwai never told our history in any of their books you happen to read in the library, looking for yourself. You gotta keep the history yourself or lose it forever, boy. That's the mandate of heaven."Don't worry, folks. There isn't anything made up here about history or culture. Every conceivable stereotype about Chinese is demolished in this important book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
What an enjoyable read!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Donald Duk (Paperback)
This was required reading in high school. I read the book in one day. I don't think I'll ever see Chinese culture the same ever again! Buy it, you'll like it.
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