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The World of Nancy Kwan

A Memoir by Hollywood’s First Asian Leading Lady and Global Star

The World of Nancy Kwan Open the full-size image

Contributors

By Nancy Kwan

With Deborah Davis

Foreword by Kevin Kwan

Formats and Prices

Price

$31.00

Price

$40.00 CAD

Format

Format:

  1. Hardcover $31.00 $40.00 CAD
  2. ebook $15.99 $20.99 CAD
  3. Audiobook Download (Unabridged) $27.99

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A Hollywood icon and Asian superstar shares the inspiring story of her groundbreaking career.

When Nancy Kwan burst onto the scene in the early 1960s, Asian characters in film were portrayed by white actors in makeup playing “yellowface,” and those minor roles were the stuff of cliché: shopkeepers, maids, prostitutes, servants. When—against all odds—Nancy landed the lead role in the much-anticipated 1960 film The World of Suzie Wong, she became an international superstar and was celebrated for her beauty, grace, authenticity, and spunk: a “Chinese Garbo,” the “Asian Bardot.”

From Hong Kong to London, Hollywood and beyond, The World of Nancy Kwan charts Nancy’s journey. What obstacles did she face, what prejudices did she overcome, and how did her success create paths for others? Never allowing the fads and fickleness of show business to change her, Kwan persevered in an industry where everything was stacked against her, breaking through barriers and becoming a beacon of hope to generations of Asians who aspired to be seen.

The World of Nancy Kwan is a multi-faceted personal history of an iconic actress whose triumphant rise and resilience illuminates the broader history of Hollywood and how the only way forward is to stay true to oneself.
 

Genre:

On Sale
Apr 22, 2025
Page Count
320 pages
Publisher
Hachette Books
ISBN-13
9780306834271

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Nancy Kwan

About the Author

Nancy Kwan is a Chinese-American actress renowned for her unforgettable starring roles in The World of Suzie Wong and the musical Flower Drum Song. She is also a filmmaker and a political activist and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Asian Hall of Fame.

Deborah Davis has written twelve books, including Tina Turner’s bestselling memoir, My Love Story, Strapless, Party of the Century, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Guest of Honor, which won the Phillis Wheatly Award and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award.

 

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