Rosemary Gong,
Good Luck Life.
HarperCollins, 2005

Although subtitled "The essential guide to Chinese-American Celebrations and Culture", Good Luck Life's reach is much broader than this would imply. Author Rosemary Gong includes personal references to her American-based family experiences but the celebrations and rituals are features of Chinese cultures in many countries.

This book is ideal for anyone who is looking for in-depth explanations of Chinese festivals. From Ching Ming to Tuen Ng, Gong explains the origins and practises of each festival. Where relevant she includes family anecdotes and recipes. The research was triggered by a desire to understand why, for example, certain foods are eaten at special times. The result is an invaluable source of information with a format that is broken down by festival. The book is designed to be referred back to and includes count down tables and check lists. The chapter on Chinese New Year is extremely detailed covering the significance and characteristics of the 12 animals, the rituals practised on each day, decoding the symbols of foodstuffs and giving recipes for gok jai cookies.

In addition to covering festivals, Good Luck Life looks at the American Chinese approach to life events; births, marriages, birthdays and funerals. Although some of the information is U.S. specific, such as using local overseas Chinese Associations, the framework is applicable to all Chinese cultures and may be invaluable for people attending these events. Each ritual is explained, shedding light on obscure practises and exhaustive check lists are included (eight pages in the case of weddings!) The birthday section offers tips on longevity symbols and acceptable gifts.

The majority of information is presented in a straightforward and non-patronising tone. Personalised comments are mixed with the facts, for the most part via a character called "Auntie Lao" who may be an actual person but rather seems to represent the oral tradition of passing on superstitions and advice... This adds to the text in some instances such as explaining why people should not return home directly following a funeral but can sometimes border on the banal ("Auntie Lao says life's happiness comes in pairs").

Each chapter begins with a quote, the most interesting are un-attributed and possibly come from Chinese literature. The wedding chapter begins with lyrics from "Miss Saigon", which seems a strange choice.

A short catch-all chapter entitled "table etiquette and other delicacies" appears at the end of the book and includes tips on eating, teas and regional foods. After such in-depth coverage of festivals and rituals, the inclusion of this "foreigners' guide to China" style advice is a disappointment - compensated, however, by the excellence of the glossary which explains the Chinese words used in the text (both Mandarin and Cantonese) and covers key figures in Chinese history.

This is an excellent guide book to Chinese culture. It provides an in-depth background tool for the Chinese year and will serve as key reference book, to be consulted as festivals and key life events occur.

Jessica Ogilvy-Stuart
May 27, 2005

Jessica Ogilvy-Stuart is a writer based in Hong Kong.

Posted July 2005