Excellent book depicting life on the Yangtze River during the time that the Chinese government was displacing massive numbers of families from its banks in preparation for the opening of the new dam. The political messages given the people as depicted in book seemed very realistic. I have since been to China and things have changed, but at the time this was written, our guides said things were much as described in the book. Many of the cultural references were still very much true and gave insight into the people of rural China.
Loved Hessler's prose, style, and his American perspective on such a different culture. Very enjoyable reading.
Phoebe S. (phoebeshen) reviewed River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze (P.S.) on + 26 more book reviews
Thoughtful and interesting book about Hessler's 2 years teaching English in Fuling, China as a Peace Corps volunteer. As one of the first foreigners to live in Fuling, he writes about Chinese culture from an unusual and interesting vantage point.
