South Flows the Pearl

Their stories also tell of discrimination endured in the form of government restrictions and community prejudice. At a time of bellicose rhetoric in relations between Australia and China, these voices highlight the depth of the two nations' shared heritage. -- Fiona Capp * Sydney Morning Herald * The stories emphasise themes that are important in understanding the history and experiences of Chinese Australians... We owe Mavis Gock Yen a great debt for preserving these pearls from Australia's past. -- Natalie Fong * History Australia * The true strength and value of this book lies in the fact that it contains first hand accounts ... South Flows the Pearl is not just an important historical text, it's also a compelling, emotional and at times surprising read. -- Elizabeth Flux * Books + Publishing * The lost manuscript, now the scholarly book South Flows the Pearl, offers a rich insight into the history of the Chinese in Australia, but it also introduces and pays homage to Mavis Gock Yen, whose life is as colourful and rich as those of her subjects. -- Sue Smethurst * The Australian * ... South Flows the Pearl remains a valuable reference for Australian social history, with fascinating details of Australian life you might not find anywhere else . -- Linda Jaivin * The Saturday Paper * When she was 71, [Mavis] began interviewing descendants of early Chinese Australian migrant families like hers. More than a decade later, she wrote South Flows the Pearl, a book reflecting the comprehensive history of early Chinese migration in Australia ... even though it was a book about Chinese Australian history, Mavis always thought it was Australia's history. It was just told through a Chinese lens. * ABC Online *