05/09/2026
No one knows the books in MONOVA's gift shop quite like our staff, making them the perfect folks to recommend an option for your next month's read.
In recognition of , our guest services team member, Kenny, would like to recommend the Diary of Dukesang Wong: A Voice from Gold Mountain.
The Diary of Dukesang Won is the only known written account of a Chinese Canadian who worked on the CPR Railway in the 1860s and 1870s. The Diary has excerpts of Dukesang’s time in China, his Pacific journey, working with the railway, involvement with other Chinese Canadians, and the harsh realities of the era. It also starts with the fascinating story of how the diary was found and recovered.
In-between chapters, author David McIlwraith and Wanda Joy Hoe have jammed-packed historical accounts to provide more historical context. Many excerpts also include special highlights and historical revelations not previously known. Kenny's favourite is about Dukesang's house guest, *the* Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen had only been known to be in “Saltwater City” about 4 times, but his diary shows that he was here a fifth time that has been unrecorded until now.
It's a small but fulfilling account of early Chinese Canadian history here in Vancouver, available to be purchased here at MONOVA's gift shop.
