Dead Man's Gold

by Paul Yee

Ten original ghost stories by Paul Yee dramatize the history of Chinese immigration to North America, from poor villagers who first came searching for gold in the late 1850s to new arrivals from Hong Kong. Told in the style of traditional Chinese folktales, they are illustrated with moody, abstract drawings by Harvey Chan. In the title story, two friends seek gold, but the precious metal brings riches to one man and a curse to the other. In Seawall Sightings, young lovers kept apart by immigration laws have a tragic reunion. In Reunited, a spoiled teenage boy leaves Hong Kong for North America, only to find that his new life is not the glamorous one he had been expecting. The stories describe the struggles, dreams, and resilience of people making new lives for themselves in a strange land, while retaining strong links to China and the past. In keeping with authentic Chinese ghost stories, wherever they go, the immigrants are followed by the curse of a friend, the ghost of a faithful spouse, or the spirit of a dead parent.

Genres: Young Adult, Short Stories, Horror

Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Paul Yee never planned to be an author but got published in 1983 and followed up with over twenty books in his area of obsession: Chinese immigrants to North America. He wrote mostly for young readers, from picture books to Young Adult fiction, as well as histories for everyone. His university degrees in history, plus working as an archivist, plunged him into researching the past. His work has been translated into French and Chinese, and used in animated films as well as stage plays. Born in small-town prairie Canada, he grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, but Toronto tempted him away from that west coast paradise in 1988.

Reviews

[Paul Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating take on the history of Asian immigration to North America

DEAD MAN’S GOLD is a collection of ten short ghost stories related to the history of 19th and early 20th century Chinese immigration to North America. Written in a style that emulates a story-teller’s passing on Chinese folk tales around a kitchen table, to children at bedtime, or even around a campfire (if the Chinese indulge in such things), Yee’s tales are short and sweet. But they are many, many other things as well – tragic, chilling, eerie, heartwarming, entertaining, heartbreaking, instructive, informative, evocative, humorous, poignant, elegant, sad, gentle, fascinating, and quite compelling - to mention only a handful of characterizations that come to mind. Modern readers with any heart, compassion, and tolerance will also be shamefacedly reminded of the fact that anti-Asian racism is undeniably a part of North American history.

Definitely recommended. And now I must see if I can find any other work from the same author.

Paul Weiss

[Gavin Zimmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining stories of Chinese immigrants coming to North America! They are full of emotion and do a great job of describing different difficulties different families had when moving.

[Tyler Obenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read a excellent book, Dead Man's Gold and Other Stories Dead Man's Gold and Other Stories by Paul Yee. Their is many short ghost stories in it. Their is many different unique characters in these stories .The best parts of the stories is when their is stuff about ghosts in them and when there is mystery in the stories. Their are many cool different main characters in the stories. I liked this book because it's very entertaining and interesting. If you like books about horror or mystery, then I highly recommend you to read this book.

[Monique Attrux · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing collection of stories that progressively trace the history and evolution of the Chinese Canadian community.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small collection of ghost stories written by the author and based on the ghost stories told by Chinese immigrants to Vancouver. A fascinating way to learn about different facets of Chinese immigrant history, and genuinely good stories. So many of them are a bit heartbreaking - displaced ghosts wandering unhappily in logging camps and hiding migrant detention centres.

[Sol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good read! I enjoyed all stories though it broke me and left me devastated. I can feel, see and smell the scenario in every stories. This is my first finished book and encouraged me to read more.

[2Andres · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not really like this book because it just really talks about the king.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting stories

[Erin Schwane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The stories get better as the book progresses.