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Books matching: chinese history and culture

30 result(s)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 30 
  1. Monkey: The Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en is a whimsical and exciting Chinese epic featuring the mischievous trickster character, Monkey. The story follows Monkey's adventures as he accompanies the monk Tripitaka on a journey to India to retrieve Buddhist scriptures. The book combines humor, magic, monsters, and battles, offering a delightful insight into ancient Chinese culture. The writing style is described as episodic, satirical, and full of puns, making it an enjoyable and accessible read for both adults and children.

    By a great ocean lay a land called Aolai, within which was a mountain called Flower-Fruit, home to sundry immortals. What a mountain it was: of crimson ridges and strange boulders, phoenixes and unico...

  2. #2

    Bound by Donna Jo Napoli
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    In "Bound" by Donna Jo Napoli, readers are transported to Ming China to follow the story of Xing Xing, a young girl living with her demanding stepmother and stepsister after the death of her parents. The book delves into the struggles Xing Xing faces as she navigates through old Chinese traditions, superstitions, and values, all while yearning for freedom and love. The plot closely mirrors the classic Cinderella tale, incorporating elements such as a prince, a ball festival, and a slipper, but with a unique Chinese twist that explores cultural customs like feet binding and social conventions of ancient China. Napoli's writing style enhances the fairy tale mood, offering an illusory and otherworldly experience that captivates readers.

    Xing Xing's journey of self-discovery, her inner strength, and her interactions with believable characters make "Bound" a powerful historical fiction novel. Readers will appreciate the rich descriptions of Ming China, the authenticity of the time period, and the parallel to the Cinderella story that provides a familiar yet enjoyable experience. The book beautifully portrays Xing Xing as an appealing character, strong and smart, who faces painful challenges reminiscent of the original Cinderella tales, offering a deeper and more authentic look at the story of overcoming adversity and finding courage.

    It was answered: The sun glinted red. Only an instant and it was over, but there could be no doubt; her eyes had not played tricks: A white fish with red fins and golden eyes zipped past and under a l...

  3. #3
    Empress Orchid
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    Book 1 in the series:Empress Orchid

    Empress Orchid - Empress Orchid by Anchee Min
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    Empress Orchid by Anchee Min is a historical fiction novel that delves into the life of Tzu Hsi, the Empress Dowager of China. The story follows Orchid's journey from poverty to becoming Empress, offering a vivid portrayal of the Forbidden City and the challenges faced by women in the imperial court. The narrative is presented in a first-person perspective, providing insight into Orchid's emotions, struggles, and ambitions as she navigates through a world of power, intrigue, and survival.

    Anchee Min's writing style in Empress Orchid is praised for its beautiful storytelling, historical references, and the ability to immerse the reader into the captivating world of ancient China. The author skillfully weaves a tale of Orchid's rise to power, showcasing her intelligence, strength, and determination amidst the male-dominated society of the time. The book offers a unique perspective on the life of a concubine turned Empress, highlighting the complexities of Orchid's character and the challenges she faces in a tumultuous period of Chinese history.

    MY IMPERIAL LIFE began with a smell. A rotten smell that came from my father’s coffin—he had been dead for two months and we were still carrying him, trying to reach Peking, his birthplace, for burial...

  4. #4
    Dragon Keeper
    Book 1 in the series:Dragon Keeper

    Dragon Keeper - Dragon Keeper by Carole Wilkinson
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    'Dragon Keeper' by Carole Wilkinson follows the story of a slave girl named Ping who becomes a Dragon Keeper after saving an elderly dragon. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey across China to protect a precious stone vital to the dragon's legacy. Through their adventure, readers are introduced to elements of Chinese history, culture, and mythology, intertwined with themes of courage, independence, and the bond between humans and dragons.

    The chatter of cascading water was the only sound that could be heard. It tumbled down a cliff and collected in a wide, dark pool. Beneath the surface, darker shadows circled—the slender, darting bodi...

  5. #5
    The Poppy War
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    Book 1 in the series:The Poppy War

    The Poppy War - The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
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    'The Poppy War' by R.F. Kuang is a fantasy novel based on Chinese history, featuring a protagonist named Rin who rises from being an orphan to excelling at a prestigious military academy. The story takes unexpected turns diverging from typical YA fantasy tropes, delving into themes of tragedy, war, and morality. The book incorporates elements of Chinese culture and history, drawing parallels to real-world events such as the Japanese occupation and the Second Sino-Japanese War. The writing style is described as detailed, immersive, and thought-provoking, providing a fresh take on epic fantasy with strong themes and messages.

    Rin crossed her arms tightly across her chest and walked toward the second proctor. She was led behind a screen, patted thoroughly to make sure she hadn’t packed test materials up any orifices, and th...

  6. #6

    On China by Henry Kissinger
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    In "On China," author Henry Kissinger provides a broad picture of Chinese history, from the three kingdoms period to the current day, focusing on the opening up of relations and his historical role in U.S.-China relations. Kissinger delves into the historical Chinese geopolitical strategy, highlighting the tradition of avoiding direct military engagement and preferring subterfuge. The book also explores the relationship between China and the United States, emphasizing the potential for global peace and the rise of the Sino-American alliance.

    SOCIETIES AND NATIONS tend to think of themselves as eternal. They also cherish a tale of their origin. A special feature of Chinese civilization is that it seems to have no beginning. It appears in h...

  7. #7

    1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows: A Memoir by Ai Weiwei
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    '1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows: A Memoir' by Ai Weiwei is a captivating account of the artist's life, intertwined with monumental world events and personal stories. The book delves into the repressive nature of the People's Republic of China, shedding light on the struggles faced by Ai Weiwei and his father, Ai Qing, in creating their art amidst censorship, detention, and state fear. Through detailed narratives, the author showcases the extreme conditions his family endured, offering insight into Chinese culture and the internal mechanisms of silencing its citizens. The memoir weaves together themes of loyalty to expression of thought, resistance to state oppression, and the complexities of living under a totalitarian regime.

    The writing style of the book is highly engaging, with the author's fine sense of the absurd adding a touch of drollery to the narrative. Ai Weiwei's memoir not only reflects on his own experiences but also highlights the challenges and dangers faced by his family over the years. The book provides a profound exploration of art as a form of protest and expression, illustrating the author's unwavering commitment to free speech and thought in the face of adversity.

    I was born in 1957, eight years after the founding of the “New China.” My father was forty-seven. When I was growing up, my father rarely talked about the past, because everything was shrouded in the ...

  8. 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...

    They were the most famous women in China. As the country battled through a hundred years of wars, revolutions and seismic transformations, the three Soong sisters from Shanghai were at the center of power, and each of them left an indelible mark on h

    ...

  9. #9

    Green Island by Shawna Yang Ryan
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    Green Island by Shawna Yang Ryan is a powerful and well-written novel that delves into the historical conflicts and consequences faced by a Taiwanese family spanning from post-World War II Taiwan to California. The story follows the protagonist's journey through marriage, tragedy, family turmoils, and political resistance movements, providing a deep insight into the history of Taiwan, including uprisings against the government and the fight for democracy. Through real and engaging characters, the book offers a slice of Chinese history and geography not well known to the world, all while exploring themes of cultural differences, societal impact, and personal struggles.

    The narrative of Green Island is centered on the protagonist's family's experiences over the last 60 years, offering a unique perspective on the political resistance movement in Taiwan. The book intricately weaves together personal stories with historical events, highlighting the struggles and persistence of the Taiwanese people under martial law and their fight for freedom. With a focus on family dynamics, political activism, and the impact of historical events on individuals, the novel paints a vivid and poignant picture of Taiwan's evolution from an authoritarian regime to a democracy, making it a must-read for those seeking a better understanding of Taiwan's history.

    The first cramp was unmistakable. She leaned against the wall and pressed her fingers to the underside of her belly. All her previous children had taken their time, leisurely writhing for days before ...

  10. #10

    Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang
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    Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang is a multi-generational memoir that follows the lives of three Chinese women across different periods of China's tumultuous history. The book provides a sweeping narrative of the challenges faced under Communist leadership, the horrors of the Cultural Revolution, and the personal struggles and triumphs of a family living through decades of upheaval. Through the lens of one family, the author paints a vivid picture of China's transformation from a feudal kingdom to a modern state, capturing the hopes, struggles, and resilience of generations of Chinese women.

    At the age of fifteen my grandmother became the concubine of a warlord general, the police chief of a tenuous national government of China. The year was 1924 and China was in chaos. Much of it, includ...

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