South Flows the Pearl (Mavis Gock Yen, ed by Siaoman Yen & Richard Horsburgh, SUP)

Over the 80s and 90s, Mavis Gock Yen (1916–2008) collected the stories of her contemporaries—Australian Chinese people whose memories and experiences spanned the late 1800s through to almost the end of the 20th century. What resulted is South Flows the Pearl, a remarkable oral history of Australia’s recent—and at risk of being forgotten—past. Gock Yen passed away in 2008 and so her manuscript has been edited by her daughter Siaoman Yen and son-in-law Richard Horsburgh. Each chapter features an introduction by Gock Yen that lays out the relevant context and history, followed by a firsthand account by one of her interviewees. Where necessary, footnotes and post-scripts have been added to clarify or correct the interviewee’s story. South Flows the Pearl explores historical events through a personal lens, demonstrating the direct impact of war, discrimination and changing societies on people’s lives, while also capturing intimate moments and memories that would otherwise have been lost. The true strength and value of this book lies in the fact that it contains firsthand accounts. At times there is repetition, and some passages are unpolished, but this is a necessary compromise for authenticity. Insights are gained not just from the stories told, but also through the way the storyteller chooses to tell them—deeply traumatic events like kidnapping attempts or near-death experiences sometimes get half a sentence, while a particularly enjoyable meal will be described over an entire paragraph. South Flows the Pearl is not just an important historical text, it’s also a compelling, emotional and at times surprising read. 

Elizabeth Flux is a freelance writer and editor. 

Category: Reviews