William Ping’s wonderful debut novel, relates the story of his grandfather, William Seto Ping, who arrived in St. John’s, Newfoundland in 1931. The elder Ping worked in laundries and restaurants. The reader learns about the terrible conditions of the Chinese workers and the terrible racism foisted upon them. This novel is based on the true story of the life of the elder Ping. I couldn’t put it down.

Delighted to include this title in the February edition of Novel Encounters, my regular column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction, for the Books section of Zoomer magazine. (see column and mini-review at link)

At once a deep look into the author's personal history and a engaging fictional tale, Hollow Bamboo navigates the worlds of racism, cultural identity, and family relationships. The storytelling is well done, moving seamlessly from grandson to grandfather as the narrative progresses. While the majority of the book investigates culture, society, and racism in the 1930s and 40s, Ping brings us into 2020, astutely identifying the continued prejudices that were perpetrated against Canadians of Asian descent during the recent pandemic.

Hollow Bamboo is about the humour, struggles, and successes faced by the first Chinese immigrants in Newfoundland. It is a story of heartbreak, sacrifice, kinship and family. Mostly it is about live and surviving in Newfoundland.