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The Apricot Outlook of Katherine Koon Hung Wong

by Dennis W.C. Wong

Paperback

$6.99

E-BOOK

$2.99

About The Book

A debut portrait of a Chinese American woman from Hawaii. Wong presents the story of his mother, Katherine “Katy” C. Wong (1928–2014), in her own words, drawing from conversations that he, her eldest child, conducted in the latter part of her life. Along with Katy’s own words, the book also features an array of color and black-and-white images from her life, depicting such things as the first home that she and her husband purchased and travel documents from a trip to China. The memoir moves along very quickly. However, some of her memories lack explanation and detail, perhaps, due, in part, to the efforts of a stroke, as the editor points out. Still, Katy’s statements can carry plenty of emotional weight at times: “I feel sorry that the doctor told him you don’t get Katy upset because she is already downhill.”
—Kirkus Reviews

The front cover depicts my mother, Katherine, in her mother’s arm.

“My journey is just beginning, continuing, with no ending.”

In Chinese artwork, flowers, fruits, and trees represent various aspects of life and if you know the symbolic meaning of a plant, it will enable you to understand the hidden message. Apricots represent female elegance; the large seed is ovoid shaped like the eyes of an Oriental beauty.

At times, when Katherine begins to reflect on her past, her thoughts flow into the present. Death and dying seemed to have a devastating impact on her life. There are plenty of references to sex which she didn’t mind sharing, and she learned what to do at the onset of puberty.

Through a better understanding of our families, we acquire an appreciation for their struggles, jealousies, and successes, and we are personally strengthened by their journey.

“The journey is real, more so when you can relate to someone else’s journey.”
—Laura Montgomery Yates