sstaley
Written on Oct 1, 2020
Readers are introduced to Donaldina Cameron who accepts a job of teaching young Chinese girls how to sew who reside at
the Occidental Mission Home for Girls in 1895. Little does Donaldina, also known as Dolly, realize that this job will forever change her life. This novel based on the true story of Dolly's life showcases a sordid part of American History where young Chinese girls were given false papers to come to America under the guise of becoming wives or workers to rich Chinese men. Once in America, they were sold into slavery to become servants or prostitutes. The Chinese Criminal Tong ran the back streets of San Francisco in the 19th century in California. No one wanted to mess with them but it didn't stop Dolly or other women who worked with her.
The Occidental Mission Home for girls was founded in 1874 by the Presbyterian Church. The mission home's purpose was to offer refuge to the young Asian girls caught in the "yellow slave trade". Dolly became a light of freedom and a mother to many of these young girls. Through her tireless efforts and brave stand, she faced down the evil tong and rescued many girls in the middle of the night with the help of a few San Francisco police officers. This book is not a light or pleasant read at all times. Though there are no graphic details, readers do learn of the physical and substance abuse that took place. It's so heartbreaking to read of and feel the despair that these girls and women went through.
This book actually took me longer to read because of me being a history nerd and I love reading chapter notes. Once I read chapter notes then I go down another rabbit hole with something I read in the notes. Then eventually I'd get back to the story. Huge props to the author for the extensive research she did on this topic and on the life of Dolly.
I also loved the side story of the fictional character, Mei Lien, whose story showcases what happened to many of the girls who were lied to, brought to America, sold, and abused. I was so glad that this part of the story was told even if it was a fictional character.
The Paper Daughters of Chinatown is a story that must be read and talked about. The terrible tragedy of human trafficking is still happening today. This novel brings to light an issue that all people must be aware of and help and support those who are warriors today still fighting for those who can't help themselves. One line in the story really hit me that Officer Cook said to Dolly at the end of the novel and it's something we all should remember,
Officer Cook said, "We might live in the land of the free, but none of us are truly free as long as slavery exists in our society."
Author Heather B. Moore has written another compelling novel that I highly recommend to other readers. This story of courage and selflessness will touch you and illuminate the struggles still happening in our world today.