Questions About The Good Women of China: Hidden Voices

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Answered Questions (3)

As a teacher, I wonder if I can read this with mature 11th-graders, or whether it's too depressing/ heavy. Your thoughts? I know there was a response saying the book is ok for fifteen-year-olds, but in a (rather liberal) school setting?

Ada Ma You alone know about what kind of school setting you have. I am halfway through but already read about arranged marriages (arranged by the Chinese Com…moreYou alone know about what kind of school setting you have. I am halfway through but already read about arranged marriages (arranged by the Chinese Communist Party), homosexuality, rapes and incest. How comfortable are you, your students and their parents are with talking about these issues? You also need to have some backgrounds about the Chinese society at the time.(less)

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Is this a true story?

Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) It's not a "story" in the novel/autobiography sense, but rather a collection of anecdotes taken from the author's experience as a radio journalist in …moreIt's not a "story" in the novel/autobiography sense, but rather a collection of anecdotes taken from the author's experience as a radio journalist in China during the "opening up" years of Deng Xiaoping. The unifying thread is the author's own journey in discovering more about the millions of anonymous lives around her.(less)

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I want to give this book to my nieces (15 and 13 years old). Do you guys think they're old/mature enough to read it? I read it myself at 14 but I'm not sure anymore. Thanks.

Susan Kozianski I would certainly give to a 15 year old. Not so sure about 13. There's that story relating the experiences of the two heroic women during the aftermat…moreI would certainly give to a 15 year old. Not so sure about 13. There's that story relating the experiences of the two heroic women during the aftermath of the earthquake that could be quite traumatising to read if you've never been exposed to such things before, so I would hesitate with someone 13. (less)

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Unanswered Questions (1)

book club discusssions?

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