Leaving China: An Artist Paints His World War II Childhood, written and illustrated by James McMullan
published in 2014 by Algonquin Young Readers
113 pages
I’ve just finished reading this intriguing, moving memoir by the highly-regarded artist, James McMullan, and it’s one of those rare finds in the book world that I hope many of you will take in as well.
What’s it about, and why do I call it a rare find?
It’s a set of over 50 brief vignettes describing McMullan’s childhood through age 12, a beautifully crafted string of moments, people, emotions, places, awarenesses, family history, culture, encountered in his most unusual life.
He was born in China in 1934, the grandson of two China Inland Mission 
missionaries. By the time James was born, his father was involved in a secular business and the family led a very comfortable, privileged life in Cheefoo.
Massive changes took place, of course, at the onset of World War II. James and his mother managed to leave China on nearly the last ship out, and began a strange, wandering life together during the war years. From Shanghai to San Francisco, Vancouver to Darjeeling, the many 
fascinating, diverse, waystops were full of transitoriness and utter newness and loneliness. There were bright spots and warm friendships, but his mother’s alcoholism and his acute awareness of falling short of his father’s expectations acted as sort of a dragging anchor.
Despite the somewhat melancholy nature of some of these memories, this is not a bitter, tattling memoir. There is a gentle, wistful, respectful quality to McMullan’s writings which allow us a thought-provoking, highly-personal 
glimpse of an especially multicultural, uprooted childhood.
Each short narration is accompanied by one of McMullan’s evocative paintings, which act as snapshots of these diverse locations and experiences. They are nostalgic viewpoints — with an amethyst haze present throughout, tying the pieces together and creating a sense of cool reserve, of slightly fuzzy recollection. The effect of the narration and illustration together is quite mesmerizing.
Okay, why is it a rare find?
It feels like a difficult book to market and peg, and I am grateful to Algonquin for publishing it anyway.
My library has shelved it with children’s biography, which I think is a mistake. My guess is few children under age 12 will appreciate this in its entirety. So, for starters, this is a 12-and-up, picture book biography. A wonderful species. I wish there were more of them.
Many teens will connect with this, but adults — you will also love it. Please do not
James McMullan
be put off by the fact that it is illustrated nor sold as “children’s literature.” I think adults are a great audience for this book.
Here’s who I highly recommend it for:
*anyone with a transitory, multi-cultural childhood — that’s you, TCKs
*those whose artistic natures cause them to feel less understood
*folks with an interest in China, the China Inland Mission, or the Pacific theater of World War II
*anyone who loves a good memoir
I do hope many of you will find your way to this book. It’s a great read. If you like, there’s an album of McMullan’s old family photos which were references for some of his illustrations at his website.
orange marmalade 
This book sounds terrific! Thanks for reviewing it and bringing it to our attention.
Kristie — especially with your China connection, you would love this. Plus he lived in Vancouver, too! Perfect!
I didn’t realize he had lived in Vancouver. That makes it even better! I’ve put it in my Amazon wish list and will add it to my next order.
This looks like a very lovely book. I, too, wish that there were more picture book biographies like this. I’ll be looking for this one. Thanks for sharing!
Lovely and rich. You will very much enjoy it.