Mrs. Spring Fragrance is a groundbreaking collection of short stories by Sui Sin Far (the pen name of Edith Maude Eaton), published in 1912. It stands as one of the first works of fiction published in English by a North American author of Chinese descent. The collection offers a nuanced and compassionate portrayal of Chinese American and Chinese Canadian life at the turn of the 20th century, challenging the pervasive stereotypes and harsh prejudice of the era. The title story follows the charming and witty Mrs. Spring Fragrance, a Chinese American woman who navigates between her traditional culture and modern American society with grace and cleverness, often playing matchmaker while gently satirizing the customs of both worlds. The stories are divided into two sections: "Mrs. Spring Fragrance," which contains lighter, often humorous tales of love and cultural negotiation, and "Tales of Chinese Children," which presents more poignant, sometimes tragic, vignettes focused on the younger generation. With a sharp yet sympathetic eye, Sui Sin Far explores themes of identity, generational conflict, immigration, and the painful realities of exclusion laws and racial discrimination. Her work is celebrated for its humanity, its complex characterizations, and its historic importance in giving a voice to a community that was largely silenced and misrepresented in mainstream literature.

Table of Contents:

• Mrs. Spring Fragrance. Part 1

• Mrs. Spring Fragrance. Part 2

• Mrs. Spring Fragrance. Part 3

• Mrs. Spring Fragrance. Part 4