I had really high expectations for this book. Unfortunately my expectations weren't completely met. I say that, because I did enjoy this book, but I think it could have been a better story.
It's about two young men in the 1970s in China that have been highly educated. They are sent to the country for their re-education (to learn how to farm and lead a simple life). Luo meets a pretty girl (the little seamstress). Luo gets her pregnant. The other main guy whose name I'm forgetting now helps the little seamstress with her problem.
The two main characters find that their friend has a suitcase of forbidden books which leads them on an escapade to steal the books. This part was pretty funny and entertaining. The boys yearn for Western literature because it's all been banned by Mao's regime. There are, of course, other side characters and side stories, but this thread stuck with me.
It's always interesting to me to read about Chinese culture--this book had some of it, but not as much as Lisa See's or Amy Tan's books. This author is French and it has been translated into English. Interesting that a French author has written such a poetic book about China!
No comments:
Post a Comment