James McMullan

When I purchased this book I thought that it was a graphic novel. It is more of a memoir told in both the written word and in paintings. On each double page spread James McMullan shares a written page about a phase in his life and a painting showing that phase.

McMullan begins his story with his grandparents arrival in China as missionaries and their departure from preaching the gospel to providing practical assistance that their Chinese neighbors desperately needed. In this process some show more people became Christians but the family also became wealthy, by Chinese standards, as they created business enterprises to support their practical ministries.

His parents continued the work but when the author came of age he was more interested in art than missionary work. McMullen left China for training but returned with a family. When WWII began the family had to find other places to go for safety and hence, leave China. This is what this book is about.

McMullan has a captivating story to tell and he tells it well. While his paintings are nice, I think his written word about his experiences are what make this book excellent. It is a family saga covering 3 generations. Their story is shaped by the historical events of the era which also makes this book a learning experience for those unfamiliar with the late 1800s through the mid twentieth century.

I enjoyed the book immensely. It was a relaxing read. show less

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes there is also something you desperately need to say. That is what artist James McMullan does in "Leaving China: An Artist Paints His World War II Childhood." The book is half illustrated memories and half written biography about McMullan's life as an immigrant and war refugee from China after the Japanese invasion. The book's narrative covers from the period of the author's grandparents' initial arrival in China, through his life in show more China until he and his mother flee in 1934 up to his alienation in various brief homes during his stay in the United States and Canada. Stylistically, the writer chooses to use the written sections mostly for important information like names, places, and time periods (with the occasional excerpt from a letter or note from one of his parents or relatives) and the illustrations are used to convey moments in his life and the emotions he associates with these moments.
These moments become one of the few stumbling blocks of the story. The illustrations are wonderful and stylish; often conveying subtle moods in the setting or other characters. However, McMullan uses a strangely limited color palate for all of his illustrations and the result is a certain degree of blandness or missed opportunities to convey more diverse emotions.
The story itself is the best part. Considering we are living in a time when so many immigrants are fleeing to the United States and other developed countries to escape war and violence, it is worth noting that many of the problems that immigrants from non-white countries experience here are also exacted upon the white immigrant child of two white parents (worst teacher ever). I believe it is important to tell a story of immigrant and refugee alienation from a perspective where white audiences cannot put down all of the immigrants' problems to race difference.
I would definitely want to teach this to a class. From an art perspective and as a way to discuss immigration, isolation, and cultural difference, it is great for a younger audience. show less

A wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated memoir in which McMullan recounts events from his childhood and youth--growing up in China in the 1930s, having to leave with his mother after the Japanese invade, attending boarding school in India, the death of his father who served with the British Army in China, and leaving China for the last time after the war to live in Canada. Vivid, rich, and appealing for a wide range of readers.

Through a combination of watercolor images and short biographical sketches, illustrator James McMullan remembers his early childhood in China and his global wanderings with his mother during World War II. James's paternal grandparents went to China in the late 19th century as missionaries with China Inland Mission. James's father became a successful businessman, importing Western goods to sell in China and exporting Chinese goods to the West. James was born in 1934, just three years before show more the Japanese invasion of China and the second Sino-Japanese war.

James remembers the beauty of his early environment – the landscape, architecture, interior design, and artwork, but his early memories of events seem to be more painful than happy. James was a sensitive child, more interested in art than athletics, and he sensed that his personality and temperament were a disappointment to his parents. His childhood loneliness is reflected in the illustrations. Influences that led to his career as an artist are seen in his early interest in the Chinese artwork in his home, watching his Canadian aunt's artist neighbor at his work, winning school friends through his cartoon drawings, and the encouragement of a boxing instructor to pursue his interest.

This book should find a place in many libraries. It will appeal to readers with an interest in memoirs of artists, World War II memoirs, children's experiences of war, pre-revolutionary China, and perhaps even missionary history and biography.

This review is based on an electronic advanced reading copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley. show less