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This is an absolutely incredible narrative. I’ve read other memoirs and histories of China and so I wasn’t unaware of the horrors of the Cultural Revolution, but this book really drives home the horrors of the time. Perhaps it’s because we’re following relatively privileged people and seeing that even they can’t protect themselves from having their lives crushed by the historical forces around them.
It’s a really hard read. Footbinding, arrest, war, famine, re-education, separation from family, ...more
It’s a really hard read. Footbinding, arrest, war, famine, re-education, separation from family, ...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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Amazing!
If I had to recommend one book on China, it would be this one!
If I had to recommend one book on China, it would be this one!
Sep 07, 2010
Eden Waterson
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