Blog: South Pasadena Library Author Night with Louise Su Tang

Louise Su Tang, author of “Cantonese Yankee,” will appear for an Author Night at the South Pasadena Public Library on Thursday, April 25 at 7 p.m. The free program is presented by the South Pasadena Public Library, the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library, and the South Pasadena Chinese American Club. 

During the 19th Century, China faced a cabal of foreign powers ready to
sweep the ancient empire from the pages of history. Other books have been
written about the 19th Century in China, but few have explored so
many of the fascinating details of the civilization’s customs, mores, and
ethos. 

“Cantonese Yankee is the narrative of Kwong Bing Kong, or “Bing,” a student sent by Imperial China to New England to study Western science and technology as part of the Chinese Educational Mission. One of 120 boys sent over between 1872 and 1881, the biography follows Bing and his years in America and his subsequent years in China as modern mandarin. 

Louise Su Tang, Bing’s granddaughter, was close to her grandfather during her
childhood years in Shanghai. She has written an absorbing and romantic drama
based on her family stories and her personal research at the Yale University
and the Connecticut Historical Society.  

During the 19th Century, China faced a cabal of foreign powers ready to
sweep the ancient empire from the pages of history. There have been books
written about those days but few have plumbed the depths of her
civilization—what were the customs, mores and ethos of her people? In Cantonese Yankee the author presents to her audience the intimate life of Bing and his family and the people of his day—and we are there with them. 

The Library Community Room is located at 1115 El Centro Street. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and no tickets or reservations are necessary. Refreshments will be
served.

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