Gail Tsukiyama

Aug 29, 2024 | bookriot.com | Gail Tsukiyama |Katie Moench

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. The Hawaiian archipelago consists of 137 islands with over seven hundred miles of coastline and eight main islands, seven of which are inhabited. Hawai’i has a long and storied history, from the earliest days of human settlement via Polynesia to its current status as the 50th U.S. state.

Jul 10, 2023 | sfgate.com | Gail Tsukiyama |Kathy Chow

- - - The life of the Chinese American film actress Anna May Wong was one of heartbreak. Acting was her passion, and her love for the art fueled her pursuit of stardom. It also destroyed her. Wong fell in love with film at a young age when, as a child in Los Angeles, she skipped school to watch movies and loiter around film sets. She landed her first leading role at the age of 17 in "The Toll of the Sea" (1922).

Jul 10, 2023 | audiofilemagazine.com | Gail Tsukiyama

Narrator Cindy Kay guides listeners through a fictional account of legendary Asian American actress Anna May Wong's life. From a young age, Anna dreams of leaving her traditional household and her father's laundry to become a movie star in Hollywood. Facing racism, heartache, and even the disapproval of her own people, Wong travels the world looking for success and acceptance. Cindy Kay's crisp and strong narration captures the strength and poise of the legendary actress.

Jun 22, 2023 | bookreporter.com | Gail Tsukiyama

Gail Tsukiyama’s THE BRIGHTEST STAR straddles the line of fiction and creative nonfiction, in much the same way as its real-life protagonist, late actress Anna May Wong, walks the line of being both Chinese and American. Her life is a journey of balance as she weighs traditional Chinese values from her family with the popular trends of early Hollywood. She responds with perseverance or devastation through the prejudices of the film industry, health woes and family tragedies.

Jun 20, 2023 | powells.com | Gail Tsukiyama |Annie Proulx |Barbara Kingsolver |Madeleine LEngle

Describe your latest book. My latest book, The Brightest Star, was inspired by Anna May Wong, the first Asian American movie star during the early days of Hollywood. She boldly struggled against the anti-miscegenation laws and racism of the time, watching white actresses in yellowface get all the coveted movie roles while she was relegated to playing servants, damsels in distress, and dragon ladies.