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andymaxyyc's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.0
I wanted to read this because I was 10 years old during the massacre of Tiananmen Square. While I had heard about what happened (and have, of course, seen the 'tank man' picture thousands of times) I didn't really understand or appreciate the history and politics that led up to those events. In that regard this graphic novel was extremely enlightening. I feel like I have a much firmer understanding of this piece of world history. I would love to attend a TED Talk with Lun Zhang; I feel as though his first-hand experiences would make for a compelling address. While the book itself opens with an introduction to many of the key players in the events of the story, it was difficult to connect those people with the events later on in the story. Some footnotes or embedded explanations would help make those connections more meaningful, I think. This book would be ideal for any armchair history buff, particularly those interested in Asian cultures. While I am certainly no expert, I feel my foundational knowledge has been expanded, and has contributed to my evolving worldview on the governance of citizens.
alyssabookrecs's review
4.0
Really dense but solid graphic novel that delves more into the details of what immediately led up to June 4, 1989 in Beijing and the aftermath. Lun Zhang, having lived through it, presents this moment in recent history through a documentary storytelling lens, zooming in and out from the intimacies of the China democracy movement to what was happening within the Party. I recommend, especially if you want to know more of the details of the movement in Tiananmen Square.
mootastic's review
4.0
An oral history of a group of young people willing to risk it all in hopes for a better tomorrow, only for it to be violently crushed by those in power in order to preserve the status quo at all costs. Thankfully every nation on Earth learned from this incident and nothing like this has ever happened again.
I'm very wary about reading anything modern about China since I expect it to be either pro-CCP or anti-Chinese propaganda. However, this book feels as if it's being told by people who were actually a part of the pro-democracy student movement so it seems believable, at least to me. I was very young when this occurred but I still remember seeing these images playing across the evening news. I appreciate the nuanced explanation of how and why this particular pro-democracy movement started, especially the media's role at attempting to influence popular opinion. The book can be occasionally dense, but it's presented in a clear and concise way that doesn't bog down the narrative.
I think the thing that personally stuck out to me is the acknowledgement that revolutions are joyous, hopeful things, driven more by a desire to help everyone rather than an angry desire to overthrow the state.
I'm very wary about reading anything modern about China since I expect it to be either pro-CCP or anti-Chinese propaganda. However, this book feels as if it's being told by people who were actually a part of the pro-democracy student movement so it seems believable, at least to me. I was very young when this occurred but I still remember seeing these images playing across the evening news. I appreciate the nuanced explanation of how and why this particular pro-democracy movement started, especially the media's role at attempting to influence popular opinion. The book can be occasionally dense, but it's presented in a clear and concise way that doesn't bog down the narrative.
I think the thing that personally stuck out to me is the acknowledgement that revolutions are joyous, hopeful things, driven more by a desire to help everyone rather than an angry desire to overthrow the state.
libeerian's review
3.0
Thanks to Netgalley for a free advance copy in exchange for a review.
A graphic history of the Tiananmen Square Massacre that is clear and easy to follow, but lacks tension and comes up short in depicting the truly awful scene of the massacre. I would have liked a bit more depth, especially how the massacre changed is viewed in present-day China and any impact it has had on society there.
A graphic history of the Tiananmen Square Massacre that is clear and easy to follow, but lacks tension and comes up short in depicting the truly awful scene of the massacre. I would have liked a bit more depth, especially how the massacre changed is viewed in present-day China and any impact it has had on society there.
bryanzk's review
5.0
It's THE history that I've been part of, not in the center, but still could, and still can fill the shock of the movement, the whole China Mainland as well. And let's not forget what happened in other cities, Chengdu, i.e. It's reported during recent years, hundreds, at least, of people were kidnapped, tortured, and killed during the aftermath of 6.4. As to how many actually died, how I wish one day, the monument in the Tiananmen square today would have their names on it and in every Chinese's heart.
mrs_bookdragon's review
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and IDW Publishing for sharing an eARC of this graphic informational work with me in exchange for an honest review. I remember the first time I had heard about the Tiananmen Square massacre and Tank Man. It was in college and I still reflect on that event, which is why I was drawn to this book. The author did a great job at keeping things to the point while also adding in character traits and development to make you feel for the students. It was a very informative novel and it makes me want to keep reading about this movement that led to the massacre.