Books matching: china transition
17 result(s)
- #1
Save:Ha Jin's 'The Bridegroom' is a collection of short stories that capture a China in transition, moving from Maoism towards a more open society. The stories depict men and women feeling the influence of the West while still being controlled by the communist system, resulting in tales of loss, disappointment, and celebration of humanity. The writing style is described as spare prose that provides insight into Chinese culture and societal norms, with a contemporary, sophisticated, and highly accessible idiom that immerses readers into the characters' lives.
Mr. Chiu and his bride were having lunch in the square before Muji Train Station. On the table between them were two bottles of soda spewing out brown foam and two paper boxes of rice and sautéed cucu... - #2
Save:China in Ten Words by Yu Hua is a collection of essays that delves into the complexities and contradictions of life in modern China. The author uses his personal experiences growing up during the Cultural Revolution to provide insights into the social, economic, and political changes that have shaped the country. Each chapter is centered around a single word, such as "copycat" or "bamboozle," that reflects different aspects of Chinese society, past, and present. Through anecdotes and reflections, Yu Hua offers a unique perspective on the cultural evolution of China over the decades.
I can’t think of another expression in the modern Chinese language that is such an anomaly—ubiquitous yet somehow invisible. In China today it’s only officials who have “the people” on their lips ever... - #3
Save:'Red Star Over China' by Edgar Snow is a captivating historical account that sheds light on China's transition from a Monarch-controlled country to a collectivist, Communist society. The book provides a first-person narrative of Snow's experiences with Mao Zedong and his army after the Long March, offering valuable insights into the rise of Communism in China. Despite being accused of sympathizing with Mao, Snow's writing is praised for its captivating storytelling and eyewitness account of the ground realities during that era.
Peter Hessler's 'Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory' is a captivating exploration of Chinese society, focusing on the transformation of peasant life and the rise of new entrepreneurs amidst urbanization. Through his vivid travelogue, Hessler delves into the interconnected themes of family dynamics, Guanxi relationships, and the impact of corruption on individuals striving for success in China. The book seamlessly weaves together personal experiences, insightful observations, and historical backgrounds to provide a nuanced portrayal of the cultural shifts occurring in rural and industrial China.
Hessler's writing style is a blend of travel narrative, journalistic reporting, and personal reflection, offering readers a multifaceted view of Chinese culture and development. From detailing his encounters with locals, amateur historians, and government officials during his road trips across China to immersing himself in the lives of peasant communities, Hessler's storytelling is both informative and engaging. Through his keen observations and compassionate approach, he sheds light on the complexities of modern-day China, highlighting the challenges and opportunities arising from the country's rapid modernization.
AFTER THAT FIRST LONG TRIP I NEVER WORRIED ABOUT where I took a car from Capital Motors. I usually rented Jettas or Santanas, and I made weekend jaunts all around the north—to the Eastern Qing tombs, ...- #5
Save:In 'A Thousand Years of Good Prayers', Yiyun Li presents a collection of short stories that offer insight into life in modern China and among Chinese Americans. The stories touch on themes such as the impact of political and cultural upheaval, the struggles of daily life, and the clash of generations. The narrative style is spare and controlled, emphasizing the often bleak conditions the characters face, while providing intimate portraits of lives affected by societal changes.
Yiyun Li's writing delves into the personal lives of her characters against the backdrop of significant historical events and societal shifts. Through her stories, she paints a picture of China over the last century, exploring human behavior under extreme circumstances and offering poignant reflections on the aftermath of Mao's era. The stories are emotionally deep and offer a close-up snapshot of how individuals navigate the complexities of evolving traditions and changing societal norms.
GRANNY LIN WALKS IN THE STREET ON A November afternoon with a stainless steel lunch pail in her hand. Inside the lunch pail is an official certificate from her working unit. “Hereby we confirm Comrade... - #6
Save:'This Is Paradise!: My North Korean Childhood' by Hyok Kang, Shaun Whiteside, and Philippe Grangereau is a compelling memoir that provides a firsthand account of life in North Korea. The book details the author's childhood experiences, including the harsh realities of propaganda, school life, and the struggle for basic necessities like food. Through the author's resilient and skeptical perspective, readers are taken on a journey that sheds light on the oppressive regime and the daily challenges faced by the North Korean population. The narrative also delves into the author's escape to South Korea, highlighting the difficulties of assimilation and the stark differences between the two Korean states.
'Shark's Fin And Sichuan Pepper: A Sweet-Sour Memoir of Eating in China' by Fuchsia Dunlop is a captivating memoir that delves into the author's experiences exploring Chinese cuisine, particularly focusing on Sichuan cooking. Readers are taken on a culinary journey through China as Dunlop immerses herself in the local food culture, sharing insights into the significance of food in Chinese society. The narrative is enriched with vivid descriptions of unique dishes, personal encounters, and reflections on the cultural, historical, and ethical aspects intertwined with Chinese gastronomy.
Crawling out of bed on a damp October morning, in my small shared room in the Foreign Students’ Building of Sichuan University. My Italian roommate, Filomena, is already up and out. Sleepily, I pull o...- #8
Save:On the night of June Fourth, a woman gives birth in a Beijing hospital alone. Thus begins the unraveling of Su Lan, a brilliant physicist who until this moment has successfully erased her past, fighting what she calls the mind's arrow of time. When Su Lan dies unexpectedly seventeen years later, it is her daughter Liya who inherits the silences and contradictions of her life. Liya, who grew up in America, thinking her father might be dead but not sure, they never talked about him, takes her mother's ashes to China to her, an unknown country. In a territory inhabited by the ghosts of the living and the dead, Liya's memories are joined by those of two others Zhu Wen, the neighbor woman last to know Su Lan before she left China, and Yongzong, the father Liya has never known he was politically active and walked out of the hospital on the night Liya was born, into Tiananmen square to restart his life Su Lan thinks he might have dies and ended up in a mass grave. In this way a portrait of Su Lan emerges an ambitious scientist, an ambivalent mother, and a woman whose relationship to her own past shapes and ultimately unmakes Liya's own sense of displacement.
From above, the heart of the city is easy to see. Beijing is a bull’s-eye. Concentric ring roads close in toward the old city walls, now paved into wide avenues. The avenues form a tight band around t... - #9
Save:Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister by Jung Chang is a captivating biography about the three Soong sisters who played significant roles in 20th-century China. These sisters were married to powerful men, including Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek, making their story one of family intrigue intertwined with historical events. The book explores their fascinating lives and the political turbulence around them, challenging common perceptions of their fairytale-like existence.
The writing style of Jung Chang is accessible and engaging, offering a blend of historical facts with personal anecdotes. While the narrative sometimes jumps timelines, the author’s empathetic portrayal of the sisters provides depth to their stories. Chang’s approach has been described as a mix of gossip and history, making the book not just informative but also entertaining to read. Despite some areas where additional details could enhance the context, overall, it is a compelling addition to the literature on China.
On 4 July 1894, Hawaii declared itself a republic after the reigning queen, Lili’uokalani, had been deposed the previous year. This event in the Pacific Ocean 6,000 miles from the Chinese coast had an... The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston is a memoir that delves into the author's experiences growing up as a Chinese American female. Through a mix of autobiography and Chinese folklore, Kingston explores themes of cultural identity, family dynamics, and the struggles of navigating between two different worlds. The book is described as a powerful collection of non-fiction pieces that shed light on the challenges faced by immigrant families, particularly in maintaining traditions while adapting to a new culture.
“You must not tell anyone,” my mother said, “what I am about to tell you. In China your father had a sister who killed herself. She jumped into the family well. We say that your father has all brother...
