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This is both one of the best autobiographies/biographies I've read and the absolute best nonfiction I've read yet about China's history in the 20th century. Jung Chang writes about the life of her grandmother and mother as well as her own experiences. Her grandmother was the concubine of a high-ranking general and her parents were ardent members of the Communist Party (before becoming disillusioned). It is easy when reading history to not understand the scope and human scale of events because ev
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After reading this book , I am ashamed to say I knew nothing about chinese history. Absolutely nothing.
But this book is not about Chinese History. It is about 3 women, a grandmother,a mother and a daughter, the author. But as the story is set in Mao’s China, the communist China, it describes life under Mao, the communist leader.
The things Mao did were unbelievable, i can’t even begin to tell you how shocked i was while reading it.
I’ll give you some points in random, epecially for many of us who ...more
But this book is not about Chinese History. It is about 3 women, a grandmother,a mother and a daughter, the author. But as the story is set in Mao’s China, the communist China, it describes life under Mao, the communist leader.
The things Mao did were unbelievable, i can’t even begin to tell you how shocked i was while reading it.
I’ll give you some points in random, epecially for many of us who ...more
This memoar sort of reminds me The Mute's Soliloquy: A Memoir from Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Before, during, and after the Manchurian Emperor, many Chinese people have difficulties during their life. Three women generation of Xia Family here are well documented in this 600-ish pages book. The Xia's also including the author herself, Jung Chan. Communism, family value, and feminism might be the most topic described. The writing is very blatant and straight to the point. Sort of mind opening reading
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Three genreations of women in three periods of history in country where being a woman is much harder than in Europe or North America. Engaging story.
Jan 16, 2010
Laura
added it
East Asian Societies: EASC 150g Fall 2005
Jul 31, 2008
Harry Rutherford
rated it
it was amazing
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review of another edition
Shelves:
around-the-world,
asia
Mar 17, 2009
Jodi
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Vesra (When She Reads)
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Jenny (Reading Envy)
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Michelle
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Leah Pomposo
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Cheryl
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Apr 18, 2015
Jennifer
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Nov 15, 2015
Alison
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Feb 03, 2021
Jennifer
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Apr 18, 2021
Douglas
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