Dreams of Joy by Lisa See -- read for October, 2012
The descriptions of the Great Leap Forward (the five year plan was originally 1958 - 1963) reminded me of some books I’d read that dealt more with the slightly later Cultural Revolution (approximately 1966 - 1976).
Brothers by Da Chen; Fiction; 2006
Fathered by a powerful general during the Cultural Revolution, half-brothers Tan and Shento live in entirely different worlds. Tan’s is one of privilege and legitimacy, while Shento’s is one of depravation and hard work. They are unaware of each other’s existence, but they fall in love with the same woman.
Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng; Non-fiction; 1986
A searing personal account of the author’s endurance of humiliation and solitary confinement during the Cultural Revolution.
The Revolution is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine; Children’s fiction; 2007
The Cultural Revolution from the perspective of 9 year old Ling, daughter of two physicians. Life changes dramatically when one of Mao’s political officers moves into a room in their apartment.
Red Scarf Girl; a Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Ji-li Jiang; Children’s non-fiction; 1997
At 12, Ji-li is a good student and a proud member of the Young Pioneers, but during the Cultural Revolution, her intelligence and her family’s wealth are liabilities.
Also by Lisa See:
Red Princess Mystery Series -- featuring Chinese police detective Liu Hulan
Flower Net (#1, 1997)
Interior (#2, 1999)
Dragon Bones (#3. 2003)
The descriptions of the Great Leap Forward (the five year plan was originally 1958 - 1963) reminded me of some books I’d read that dealt more with the slightly later Cultural Revolution (approximately 1966 - 1976).
Brothers by Da Chen; Fiction; 2006
Fathered by a powerful general during the Cultural Revolution, half-brothers Tan and Shento live in entirely different worlds. Tan’s is one of privilege and legitimacy, while Shento’s is one of depravation and hard work. They are unaware of each other’s existence, but they fall in love with the same woman.
Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng; Non-fiction; 1986
A searing personal account of the author’s endurance of humiliation and solitary confinement during the Cultural Revolution.
The Revolution is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine; Children’s fiction; 2007
The Cultural Revolution from the perspective of 9 year old Ling, daughter of two physicians. Life changes dramatically when one of Mao’s political officers moves into a room in their apartment.
Red Scarf Girl; a Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Ji-li Jiang; Children’s non-fiction; 1997
At 12, Ji-li is a good student and a proud member of the Young Pioneers, but during the Cultural Revolution, her intelligence and her family’s wealth are liabilities.
Also by Lisa See:
Red Princess Mystery Series -- featuring Chinese police detective Liu Hulan
Flower Net (#1, 1997)
Interior (#2, 1999)
Dragon Bones (#3. 2003)
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