Tears Of The Moon

by Guo Sheng

Guo Sheng now lives in a New Zealand city, but during China's Cultural Revolution her family were persecuted by the Red Guards and subjected to unspeakable violence. In her story brutal beatings and public humiliations become a daily occurrence. Their property was destroyed and her grandfather shot and killed. Meanwhile Guo herself was in love with a boy from the wrong side of the tracks: he and his family were Red Guard sympathisers. Her family was horrified. A decade later the couple met up again, but times have changed. Later, with her family suffering on-going persecution, Guo Sheng pursued her education and career, met a New Zealand couple and later left her homeland for a foreign country - New Zealand.

Genres: China, Nonfiction

283 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Evander]

I feel like schools should teach more in depth about the Cultural Revolution. Every time I read more about it, I'm shocked that this actually happened and so recently.

[Eugene Fischer]

Excellent the best story/book I ve read about China and I read a lot...
If I could get the email from Mrs. Sheng Guo, I would like to send her an other story, the story of my 'Mei Mei' in Singapore - she was a 'comfort woman' under Japanese occupation - captured for 18 years and 12 years separated from her daughter. My email for the next three months: eugenf6@gmail.com

[Introvert Insane]

This is a memoir which makes it a more heartbreaking read. The painful past in Communist China drove me to tears. The story is told non-linearly going back and forth to the past and present day as well as the backstory for some other characters but it provides more angle to the story of the people back then. This is a book that made me not able to watch Crash Landing On You because I am constantly reminded of how terrible the communist regime can be and North Korea isn't as sunny as it was depicted in CLOY.

[Kausi]

Finished the book within two days. Insightful read into living conditions during and after the Cultural Revolution in China. The book made me reflect on hardships and human resilience. The violence and suffering the author describes in the book were horrendous and difficult to read due to the nature of it. I hope the author's soul is able to heal in NZ.

[Martin]

Deeply shocking memoir about Mao's Cultural Revolution that turned into a nightmare that lasted decades for countless innocent families caught up in the violence, abuse and looting. Teenage red guards tortured their teachers and elders and millions were sent to work in the countryside. This book 'from a true story' should be more famous as it reveals all the horror of those terrible times.

[DIANA CEBALLOS]

Really enjoy it!

[Susie Wheller]

Family went through such cruelty by their own countrymen, just awful. Worth reading.

[Helga]

It was a real eye opener to what happened in china during the Cultural Revolution. At times I just couldn't believe what I was reading, so shocking, so painful, and the unspeakable violence and cruelty displayed by the Red Guards. It makes me want to find out more about China's recent history and how the events that took place changed so many lives. I'm happy that the author has made a much happier life for herself in New Zealand, she is a very strong and courageous woman.

[Christian]

if you know a Chinese person and are interested to find out why they work ,gamble,and strive for success hard, please read this book and you will have a attitude changed.