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avalinahsbooks's review
3.0
First of all - I got this book on Netgalley in enchange to my honest review.
So on with the review. I always enjoy reading memoirs, and I've read quite a few that are about China. What always surprises me though, is the way people in China are portrayed. If this was just one book, I would think - yes, the author must be biased, maybe they're making it up, maybe they're painting it too strong. But two, three books? Two, three books - and I'm scared of China. Not even the regime - I'm scared of the people, of the culture. The author paints a very dark social scene in China - a scene with so many prejudices and dark beliefs that people hold in their hearts.. Where prejudice and opinion is more important than humanity. This isn't the first book I read where it's like this. Maybe it's because they are books written by immigrants, because they left, taking their pain?
I found this book interesting, although extremely dark. I found the actions of almost all people completely impossible to understand - the lies, the righteousness, the mere reasons they do one thing or another, both for small and big things. Cultural gaps? Or do I just live in a completely different world? From the books I've read about China, I have to say books about Nazis scare me less. Because in those books, there are "bad guys" and the insanity is temporary. In memoirs like this, the darkness and insanity is NORMAL. Perhaps even proper? That's what chills you to the bone. Do read this book. It will open your eyes to the world around you. Maybe you will feel like the little world you live in in quite cozy and nice for a change.
So on with the review. I always enjoy reading memoirs, and I've read quite a few that are about China. What always surprises me though, is the way people in China are portrayed. If this was just one book, I would think - yes, the author must be biased, maybe they're making it up, maybe they're painting it too strong. But two, three books? Two, three books - and I'm scared of China. Not even the regime - I'm scared of the people, of the culture. The author paints a very dark social scene in China - a scene with so many prejudices and dark beliefs that people hold in their hearts.. Where prejudice and opinion is more important than humanity. This isn't the first book I read where it's like this. Maybe it's because they are books written by immigrants, because they left, taking their pain?
I found this book interesting, although extremely dark. I found the actions of almost all people completely impossible to understand - the lies, the righteousness, the mere reasons they do one thing or another, both for small and big things. Cultural gaps? Or do I just live in a completely different world? From the books I've read about China, I have to say books about Nazis scare me less. Because in those books, there are "bad guys" and the insanity is temporary. In memoirs like this, the darkness and insanity is NORMAL. Perhaps even proper? That's what chills you to the bone. Do read this book. It will open your eyes to the world around you. Maybe you will feel like the little world you live in in quite cozy and nice for a change.
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