Janeen Brian, Yong: the journey of an unworthy son, Walker Books Australia, August 2016, 256pp., $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781925126297
What could be worse than living a lie? This is the burden thirteen year old Yong must carry as he lives the life of a dutiful son when his heart wishes to defy his father. He is tormented by this realisation and hopes his ancestors cannot see his honour is a farce. Yong’s Father and other villagers have borrowed a great deal of money from a moneylender for their passage from the poverty of China to the promised wealth of the Australian goldfields. As the first born son, Yong is obliged to accompany his father. Over the three months at sea in cramped, filthy quarters at the mercy of the storms and rough seas with hundreds of other Chinese on a British ship, Yong desperately wishes he was back home with his family. When the ship is wrecked at Guichen Bay South Australia instead of landing at Port Phillip, the Chinese passengers must undertake the 350 mile trip to Ballarat on foot. Mr. George, their paid Australian guide, is a violent drunkard and cannot be trusted.
Yong holds a special position as the headman’s son and he has secretly been taught to speak English by his father. He wants to be a dutiful, honest son who never questions the decisions of his father but Yong’s heart is full of anger against his father for bringing him to this foreign land far away from his grandmother and siblings. When his father dies on the journey, Yong shows courage and resolve as he tries to take his place. He discovers a side to his father he never knew and learns more about himself.
Written in the first person and divided into 27 chapters Janeen Brian’s novel allows the reader to be part of Yong’s experience. Although a work of fiction Yong is based on real incidents in Australia during the mid 1800’s. The experience of Chinese “sojourners”, their customs and the arduous journey they undertook for the sake of their starving families in China have been faithfully researched and brought to life in this imaginative and convincing story. We feel compassion for Yong and his countrymen who endured hardship, prejudice, racism and misunderstanding as each stage of their journey was fraught with danger and deprivation.
Engaging, well written and deserving of a place in every school library, Yong: the journey of an unworthy son is suitable for all ages, particularly upper primary and early secondary. Beautiful front cover art work, short chapters, clear type and excellent writing make this novel appealing and accessible.
Reviewed by Grace Nolan
