Poison of Polygamy

Wong Shee Ping, Ely Finch, Dr Mei-fen Kuo , Dr Michael Williams

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Chinese

Sydney University Press
23 July 2019

Fiction & Literature; Classic fiction (pre c 1945); Chinese - Fiction

Series: China and the West in the Modern World

Serialised in 1909-1910, The Poison of Polygamy is a rare gem of Australian literature. The first novel of the Chinese-Australian experience, it follows the fortunes of a young man who leaves his wife behind in southern China to seek his fortunes in the Victorian goldfields. In a rollercoaster tale of blackmail, murder and betrayal, he encounters all manner of perils, from storms at sea to collapsing gold mines and even a thylacine attack in the Victorian bush.

As Australia's and possibly the West's earliest Chinese-language novel, The Poison of Polygamy reveals the human face of migration between Qing China and colonial Australia, and reflects important Chinese social and political developments of the time. Historical investigation has revealed that many characters and incidents in the story were based on real people and events. In this bilingual edition, the original Chinese text is presented alongside a sensitive and transparent translation into English, complete with illuminating footnotes. Translator's and historians' introductions discuss the linguistic, cultural and historical context of the novel, and establish its unique significance in Australia's literary and social history.

'The discovery of The Poison of Polygamy and itspublication in this highly informative bilingual edition is a doublehappiness. It gives readers of literature a highly entertaining newnovel, replete with drama, emotion and intrigue. At the same time it documentsChinese Australian life in a key period of history, through a story told withpassion and insight by a Chinese writer for Chinese readers. The eloquenttranslation by Ely Finch and the generous commentary by the translator and hiscolleagues now make this rich material available in English. The Poison ofPolygamy is a valuable addition to Australian literature and to a moreappreciative understanding of the Chinese contribution to Australian societyover many years.' - Nicholas Jose

By: Wong Shee Ping
Introduction by: Dr Mei-fen Kuo, Dr Michael Williams, Michael Williams
Translated by: Ely Finch
Imprint: Sydney University Press
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 210mm, Width: 148mm, Spine: 17mm
Weight: 400g
ISBN: 9781743326022
ISBN 10: 1743326025
Series: China and the West in the Modern World
Pages: 304
Publication Date: 23 July 2019
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Reviews for Poison of Polygamy

' ... The Poison of Polygamy, by Wong Shee Ping - first serialised in an Australian Chinese-language newspaper in 1909-1910 and here published in a bilingual edition with a translation by Ely Finch. A tale of opium addiction, lost love and Chinese experience on the Australian goldfields, it will oblige readers to reconsider our literary inheritance.' -- Geordie Williamson * The Weekend Australian * 'This story of the Chinese Diaspora in the Goldrush era has a unique place in our literary history. It's thought to be the first Chinese-language fiction in Australia (and perhaps the world) and the novella's serialisation in Melbourne's Chinese Times, makes it a very special cultural artefact.' -- Lisa Hill * ANZ Litlovers LitBlog * Listen to the surprising story of author Wong Shee Ping on Radio National's The History Listen , https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/the-history-listen/wong-shee-ping/11134898. -- Rebecca Huntey * Radio National's The History Listen * Fundamentally, this novel is a treasure of Australian literature. The outstanding translation of this work of late Qing literary Chinese and its unique position within the history of the Chinese diaspora make The Poison of Polygamy of great interest to international scholars also. -- Jocelyn Chey * Journal of the Oriental Society of Australia *

Nominated for ABIA (Australian Book Industry Awards) 2020 (Australia)
Nominated for Colin Roderick Award 2019 (Australia)
Nominated for NSW Premier's History Awards (Australian History Prize) 2020 (Australia)
Nominated for PM Literary Awards (Australian History) 2020 (Australia)
Winner of ABIA (Australian Book Industry Awards) 2020