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A Memoir by Hollywood's Asian Superstar
by Nancy Kwan
A Hollywood icon and Asian superstar shares the inspiring story of her groundbreaking career.
When Nancy Kwan burst onto the scene in the early 1960s, Asian characters in film were portrayed by white actors in makeup playing "yellowface," and those minor roles were the stuff of cliché: shopkeepers, maids, prostitutes, servants. When—against all odds—Nancy landed the lead role in the much-anticipated 1960 film The World of Suzie Wong, she became an international superstar and was celebrated for her beauty, grace, authenticity, and spunk: a "Chinese Garbo," the "Asian Bardot."
From Hong Kong to London, Hollywood and beyond, The World of Nancy Kwan charts Nancy's journey. What obstacles did she face, what prejudices did she overcome, and how did her success create paths for others? Never allowing the fads and fickleness of show business to change her, Kwan persevered in an industry where everything was stacked against her, breaking through barriers and becoming a beacon of hope to generations of Asians who aspired to be seen.
The World of Nancy Kwan is a multifaceted personal history of an iconic actress whose triumphant rise and resilience illuminates the broader history of Hollywood and how the only way forward is to stay true to oneself.
"A skilled storyteller, [Kwan's] anecdotes are carefully chosen and well-told—each defining her vibrant essence and artistic and personal achievements. Deftly interwoven cultural and historical details give this narrative a rich context. Kwan's beautifully written memoir offers thoughtful insights into the film industry and the era; it's a must-read for film enthusiasts." ―Library Journal (starred review)
"Kwan's narratorial voice is exuberant and frank, focusing mostly on her acting career and rarely dwelling on her personal life, making the book feel more like an annotated filmography than an introspective memoir. Her behind-the-scenes accounts of the studio system are tantalizing, but the reader is often left wanting more. An entertaining Asian American Hollywood memoir." —Kirkus Reviews
"[I]nspiring...she tackles racist stereotypes, the casting couch, and the loss of her son with aplomb. The result is an empowering personal history from an artistic trailblazer." —Publishers Weekly
This information about The World of Nancy Kwan was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Nancy Kwan is a Chinese-American actress renowned for her unforgettable starring roles in The World of Suzie Wong and the musical Flower Drum Song. She is also a filmmaker and a political activist and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Asian Hall of Fame.
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