# Ah Kim — The Chinese Parrot character guide

> Ah Kim in The Chinese Parrot by Earl Derr Biggers.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Kim, This Ah Kim, Poor old Ah Kim

**First appearance:** 0004-v-madden-s-ranch

## Snapshot

The ranch's new cook, whose broken English is a performance — behind it stands Charlie Chan, working undercover in the heart of Madden's household.

## Who they are

Ah Kim appears at Madden's ranch as an opportunely available cook, shuffling and bowing and speaking in the pidgin English expected of him. In truth he is Charlie Chan in disguise, and the strain of performing a caricature he finds undignified is a running tension — 'Chinese without accustomed dignity is like man without clothes,' he complains. He matters because his position inside the kitchen gives Chan access to the parrot Tony, the household's routines, and the secrets a detective could never reach from outside.

## Relationships

### [Bob Eden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/bob_eden)

_professional_

Ah Kim, a Chinese servant, interacts with Bob Eden as part of the household staff, but his true identity and loyalties are ambiguous.

### [P. J. Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/p_j_madden)

_professional_

Ah Kim serves as a servant in P. J. Madden's household, but his true role and allegiance are shrouded in mystery.

### [Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/charlie_chan)

_psychological_

Ah Kim and Charlie Chan share a complex, possibly deceptive relationship, with Chan suspecting Ah Kim's true identity and motives.

### [P. J. Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/p_j_madden)

_professional_

Ah Kim serves as a servant in P. J. Madden's household, but his true role and allegiance are shrouded in mystery.

### [Bob Eden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/bob_eden)

_professional_

Ah Kim, a Chinese servant, interacts with Bob Eden as part of the household staff, but his true identity and loyalties are ambiguous.

### [Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/charlie_chan)

_psychological_

Ah Kim and Charlie Chan share a complex, possibly deceptive relationship, with Chan suspecting Ah Kim's true identity and motives.

### [Bob Eden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/bob_eden)

_professional_

Ah Kim, a Chinese servant, interacts with Bob Eden as part of the household staff, but his true identity and loyalties are ambiguous.

### [Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/charlie_chan)

_psychological_

Ah Kim and Charlie Chan share a complex, possibly deceptive relationship, with Chan suspecting Ah Kim's true identity and motives.

### [P. J. Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/p_j_madden)

_professional_

Ah Kim serves as a servant in P. J. Madden's household, but his true role and allegiance are shrouded in mystery.

## In the story

### [VII: The Postman Sets Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/vii-the-postman-sets-out)

Agrees to drive Eden back from Eldorado at five o'clock; speaks in a clipped, disinterested manner.

### [XII: The Tramcar in the Desert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xii-the-tramcar-in-the-desert)

Drives Eden to town, complains about the work.

### [XIX: The Voice on the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xix-the-voice-on-the-air)

Reports Thorn and Gamble's movements; is present during the radio broadcast and exchanges a significant look with Eden.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/ah_kim
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters