Annette S. (annette-s) reviewed on + 49 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie relates the story of two boys during Mao Tse Tung's Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). In this political/social revolution, intellectuals including scientists, writers, engineers, physicians, and other educated people posed a threat to Mao Tse Tung's government, which promoted equality for all. They, along with anyone in opposition to the government, were persecuted, publicly humiliated, harassed, imprisoned, and even tortured. Schools were closed, books were banned, and youth were exiled to the peasant mountainous regions to be "re-educated."
In this book two boys, who are working in the mountains, discover that the one of the workers in another village has a secret suitcase full of books. They set about on a quest to obtain the banned books. Once they have them, the world opens up to them again with the writings of Balzac's Père Goriot, The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas, and other classics. One of the boys begins reading the stories to a little seamstress. Both boys are attracted to her, but Luo soon wins her heart.
Though the circumstances the boys live in are oppressive, the book is not. This book is a quick read with a compelling storyline will keep you turning pages. Historical fictions often teach me more than a history class. Cultural Revolution? Re-education? Before this book, I don't remember any of that from school. My ignorance knows no bounds. Thank goodness for historical fictions; they revive the brain cells just a little bit. This book was eye-opening lesson where I realize how lucky we are in many ways, one of them the privilege and access to books. Read other reviews at http://readinginthegarden.blogspot.com
In this book two boys, who are working in the mountains, discover that the one of the workers in another village has a secret suitcase full of books. They set about on a quest to obtain the banned books. Once they have them, the world opens up to them again with the writings of Balzac's Père Goriot, The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas, and other classics. One of the boys begins reading the stories to a little seamstress. Both boys are attracted to her, but Luo soon wins her heart.
Though the circumstances the boys live in are oppressive, the book is not. This book is a quick read with a compelling storyline will keep you turning pages. Historical fictions often teach me more than a history class. Cultural Revolution? Re-education? Before this book, I don't remember any of that from school. My ignorance knows no bounds. Thank goodness for historical fictions; they revive the brain cells just a little bit. This book was eye-opening lesson where I realize how lucky we are in many ways, one of them the privilege and access to books. Read other reviews at http://readinginthegarden.blogspot.com
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