Scan barcode
caleb_tankersley's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful memoir of a very brave man. The books combines a personal family narrative (Ai Weiwei's father's story, and hopes for his son) with a political history of twentieth-century China. I also loved the philosophical musings on the possibilities for art not to exist in galleries or dusty shelves but to engage with the living world.
drgnhrt968's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
One of the best memoirs I have ever read. Well-written and well-translated. Inspiring, informative, and emotional. Provides a personalized understanding of pre-CCP China, life and art under Mao Zedong's regime, and the difficulties of fighting for freedom of speech and artistic freedom in CCP China. Ai Weiwei wrote a poignant account of his life during some of the most tumultuous decades in China's modern history and how his art was created within and informed by his personal and political experiences.
_tourist's review against another edition
A compelling narration of Ai Weiweis life; entertaining, engrossing. Poetic, and well translated. Beautifully illustrated, and littered with captivating images (both textual and illustrated).
dogswithnogs's review against another edition
5.0
I didn’t know what to expect with this memoir but it was an incredible journey retold. I listened to the audiobook, it follows 4 generations of his family. Starting with his father/grandfather for the first 40% which includes some of his childhood then switches to his life’s story covering his writing, art and political imprisonment. The excerpts of poetry, references to his impactful work and story of how the digital world changed his voice and how he used it to communicate often subverted political views. If you like history, politics or art, I highly recommend this book.
trekbicycles's review against another edition
4.0
Ai Weiwei’s life is so fascinating & I knew very little about him before reading this! Thinking about art, democracy, elitism, and fatherhood! BTG #2
verdesanos's review against another edition
5.0
A reality check on China throughout the XX-Century and XXI-Century, always focusing on the confrontation between the different regimes and forms of artistic expression.
wynnepei's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
annieb123's review against another edition
5.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows is a memoir by Ai Weiwei of the sociopolitical changes in the 20th century in China and of his own place in the larger picture as an artist, philosopher, and activist. Released 2nd Nov 2021 by Penguin Random House on their Crown Publishing imprint, it's 400 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out in 4th quarter 2022. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately it makes it much easier to find particular text in a search.
This is an engaging and honest memoir of the author's life, part of which he spent in exile as a child with his father, a poet of renown. The philosophy with which he was surrounded and the privation of his early life informed much of his personality and later artistic expression. The writing is intelligent and open and there are glimpses of genuine wit and humor. I enjoyed his reminiscences very much; the recollections of culture shock and confusion as a young Chinese student in America were touching and honestly told.
The book is enhanced throughout with glimpses into his sketchbooks and drawings. They add a lot of depth to the read. The translation work is flawlessly provided by Dr. Allan Barr. It scans very well and doesn't read in the English edition as though it were translated, which is obviously the ideal.
Four and a half stars. This would be a superlative choice for public library acquisition as well as recommended for readers of memoir and biography.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows is a memoir by Ai Weiwei of the sociopolitical changes in the 20th century in China and of his own place in the larger picture as an artist, philosopher, and activist. Released 2nd Nov 2021 by Penguin Random House on their Crown Publishing imprint, it's 400 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out in 4th quarter 2022. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately it makes it much easier to find particular text in a search.
This is an engaging and honest memoir of the author's life, part of which he spent in exile as a child with his father, a poet of renown. The philosophy with which he was surrounded and the privation of his early life informed much of his personality and later artistic expression. The writing is intelligent and open and there are glimpses of genuine wit and humor. I enjoyed his reminiscences very much; the recollections of culture shock and confusion as a young Chinese student in America were touching and honestly told.
The book is enhanced throughout with glimpses into his sketchbooks and drawings. They add a lot of depth to the read. The translation work is flawlessly provided by Dr. Allan Barr. It scans very well and doesn't read in the English edition as though it were translated, which is obviously the ideal.
Four and a half stars. This would be a superlative choice for public library acquisition as well as recommended for readers of memoir and biography.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.