On December 16, 2023, the Tea, Scones & Gardens Book Club met at The Virginia Robinson Gardens to discuss Yunte Huang’s book Daughter of the Dragon: Anna May Wong’s Rendevous with American History. Amidst the charm of oversized wrapped presents, a beautifully decorated holiday fir tree, and a bright cheerful poinsettia in the Pool Pavilion, the group hunkered down to analyze the complex and multi-talented woman, Anna May Wong. It is such a profound story of a girl born in 1905 in a Chinese laundry in Los Angeles’ small Chinatown which was later destroyed to build Union Station.
Anna, who was always fascinated by movies, became a pioneer in breaking the yellow face barrier to become a celebrity of stage and screen. With Hollywood’s growing fascination for things Chinese, stereotypical scenes of Chinese laundries and restaurants and food began to be incorporated in movies. Never forgetting her humble beginnings, Anna became an accomplished actress in silent movies, transitioning to the talkies and the stage. Her sojourns to Europe and later China resulted in her becoming a controversial fashion icon who was criticized in some circles for perpetuating unflattering images of Chinese women in particular. On her return to the US, she devoted much of her talents to raising money for and the morale of our fighting troops!
Anna was ultimately honored by having her image on a “coin of our realm.” Gifts of the quarter on which her face appears, and sweets brought by a new attendee (Wency Au) as well as some Chinese delicacies for the food table (donated by Patricia) were enjoyed by all.
Next quarter’s meeting will be on March 23, 2024, when we’ll discuss George Cukor: A Double Life: A Biography of the Gentleman Director. Mr. Cukor was a close friend of Virginia and was frequently at the estate for social events! Please join us in March!
Future Book Club meetings in 2024 will feature the following books chronologically:
That Woman: The Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor by Anne Sebba
Zev’s Los Angeles: A Political Memoir from Boyle Heights to the Halls of Power by Zev Yaroslavsky
The Story of Flowers and How They Changed the Way We Live by Noel Kingsbury
Post by Patricia Cowett
Friend of Robinson Gardens Member
Co-Chair of the Tea, Scones & Gardens Book Club
Photos by Patricia Cowett and Wendy Au
Elaine Stein
Wonderful article!