from CatieN

This is a memoir of the lives of the author's grandmother and mother and, to a lesser extent, the author herself. The story of what the grandmother went through before, during, and after World War II is riveting. The choices she had to make are heartbreaking. Lots of historical details are woven ...

from NeedMoreShelves

What would make a Cambridge-educated lawyer, winner of the Young Accountant of the Year Award in 2006, decide to open a restaurant in Manchester, England with her two sisters? That is what Helen Tse did in 2005. Sweet Mandarin is the name of the restaurant, as well as the book in which she chroni...

from elbakerone

This was a great biography/autobiography of three generations of Chinese women and their stories of working as restaurateurs in England. Helen Tse is a great writer and the stories are interesting, poignant and quite captivating. With her vivid descriptions, sights and sounds jump off the pages a...

from TrishNYC

What a delightful read!! I really enjoyed every second of this book because I was rivetted from page one till the end. The author, Helen Tse traces the trajectory of her family's journey from mainland China to Hong Kong till their eventual decision to make Manchester, UK their permanent home. Ms....

from LiteraryFeline

One of my best friends during my childhood was a girl whose family owned and ran a Chinese restaurant. I remember once attending a birthday party at the restaurant and being awed by the Asian themes and decor-it was all so glamorous to me. It never crossed my mind to think of all the hard work my...