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tuscareads's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was a long read - over 700 pages - but most of the book stuck with me. The authors made a point to say that this was fiction but that there were also a lot of cross-overs with real life so there were many times I wondered what was real and what was not. I liked how immersive the art was!
lindsayb's review against another edition
3.0
It was really going strong until about 2/3 of the way through, about when they took an interlude to discuss how to address Tianamen Square (which they didn't), and then the plot seemed to drop off...or just ran out of steam for me. Nevertheless, reading this definitely expanded my understanding of the Cultural Revolution and China's race to catch up with the rest of the world after Mao died. The artwork is frantic and a bit muddy, but in that it does a terrific job at conveying the frenzy of every stage along the way.
londonmabel's review against another edition
4.0
Really interesting, and personalized account of China under Mao. That guy was nuts. But the author also helps you understand why he was (is?) so revered.
skadinova's review against another edition
4.0
A beautifully rendered graphic novel that offers deep personal insight into China's history and revolution and the upheaval and transformations through to the modern day. Artist Li Kunwu deftly portrays his story from enthusiastic child of the revolution to dedicated party member against the backdrop of a rural China. Surprising in parts and highly recommended reading for a cultural and political insight into Chinese society and history.
tresdem's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed it. I can't say that I "got" all of it, but it was a pretty interesting read and I think the art style was well suited to the story it was telling (which, naturally, considering it's the story of the artist). It really sort of lost me at the end where it went off into different characters, but I liked the way it approached topics, especially ones like Tianamen, explaining why they were going around it, but in an authentic way. While I can't exactly agree with the pov character's viewpoints on certain things, I like that he has them and is not just a kind of Westernized view of what a Chinese person should do, or think, or feel.
satyridae's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, what an incredible journey Li & Otie take us on in this sweeping graphic novel that covers a life in China from 1950 through 2010. The sweep of the changes set in motion by Chairman Mao, and what happened after, are engrossing. I have a better feel now for what it was like, a tiny window into a monumental place. So much change and at the same time, so much acceptance, so much forgetting. Absolutely fascinating and highly recommended.
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