All That Matters

All That Matters follows the Chen family in Vancouver's Chinatown through the eyes of Kiam-Kim, who arrives from China in 1926 at age three with his father and grandmother Poh-Poh. The family uses false papers to immigrate to Canada and joins Third Uncle, a wealthy businessman who becomes their sponsor in the new country. Kiam-Kim grows up navigating two worlds: the traditional values of his Chinese household and the Western influences of 1930s Canada. The narrative tracks his journey from childhood to adolescence as he takes on responsibilities as the First Son and Oldest Brother to his siblings Jook-Liang, Jung-Sum, and Sek-Lung. The story unfolds against the backdrop of significant historical events, including the Great Depression, rising tensions between China and Japan, and World War II. Life in Vancouver's Chinatown during this period is marked by economic hardship, discrimination, and the challenge of maintaining cultural identity. The novel explores themes of family duty, cultural adaptation, and the complex bonds between generations of immigrants as they build new lives while honoring their heritage.

Readers appreciate the intimate portrayal of Chinese-Canadian immigrant life in Vancouver's Chinatown during the 1930s and 40s. The cultural details, family dynamics, and historical context receive frequent mention in reviews. Likes: - Sister Kae's character development and perspective - Authentic depiction of Chinese traditions and customs - Rich descriptions of daily life in Chinatown - Complex family relationships - Educational value about Chinese-Canadian history Dislikes: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Too many characters to track - Some find the writing style overly descriptive - Several readers note confusion if they haven't read Jade Peony first Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,126 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (21 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (89 ratings) "The cultural details transport you completely into that time and place," writes one Goodreads reviewer. Another notes: "The characters feel like real people you might have known."

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🍁 "Gold Mountain" (金山) was a term used by Chinese immigrants to refer to both Canada and the United States, reflecting their hopes of finding prosperity in North America 📜 The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923 completely banned Chinese immigration to Canada until its repeal in 1947, separating countless families for decades 🏮 Vancouver's Chinatown is the largest historic Chinatown in Canada and was established in the 1880s, serving as a crucial safe haven for Chinese immigrants facing discrimination 📚 "All That Matters" is a companion novel to Wayson Choy's acclaimed "The Jade Peony," which won the Trillium Book Award and the City of Vancouver Book Award 🎓 Wayson Choy was the first Chinese-Canadian author to publish a novel about Chinese-Canadian life, and he didn't learn he was adopted until age 56 when a stranger called him after watching him on TV