#21: "The Garden of Empress Cassia" by Gabrielle Wang

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The Garden of Empress Cassia by Gabrielle Wang (Penguin, 2002)



Mimi Lu doesn't like being Chinese in Australia. She doesn't like being different from the kids at school, and doesn't like being called "Smelly-Lou" (who would?). She's teased and bullied for her difference, and on top of that, her parents want her to focus on getting good grades when what she wants to do is draw pictures. Her art teacher at school is sympathetic and lets Mimi have extra classes at lunchtime. And then she gives Mimi a set of "Empress Cassia pastels". Mimi's draws the Garden of Empress Cassia outside her parent's Herbal Medicine shop, and all sorts of things begin to change.

Mimi is a *wonderful* character, a totally believable eleven-or-so year old girl; her friend Josh is also marvelous. I was a little uncomfortable with Old Ma and his "very wise very old Chinese man" sort of role. But I did love the book overall, and the ending is terribly, wonderfully gripping.

Wang is third generation Chinese Australian. The Garden of Empress Cassia was her first novel, and Mimi is very much based on Wang herself as a child. I was also interested by the ways in which this book can be read as a meditation on cultural appropriation. Which is perhaps better left for a discussion with others who have also read the book.

Wang has a new book coming out in the next month or so: "The Ghost in the Suitcase". This new book has been highly recommended and I'm looking forward to reading it.