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rynetry's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting look into a world I know little about. The last chapter reads like a fever dream, written by someone suffering from a fever dream. It's a weak ending. But otherwise brilliant
theeuphoriczat's review against another edition
4.0
"Replacing personal dreams with the communal China Dream is out Party's main objective"
Written in exile Ma Jian explores the totalitarian government of China that erodes personal dreams and hopes in favour of controlled collective ideologies. Anyone that steps out of line dies, even nightmares must align with that of the party. This book is written in such a way that pulls you into the life of it characters while at the same time keeps you on the over side of the glass. You can only see and not influence which it the way the China government likes to keep things.
The communist leadership in China is something that we are all aware of but rarely do we consider the repercussion or pain Chinese people go through. It begs the question, can the people be both the oppressed and the oppressor?
The more I read the book, the more I think about compliance and fear. I cannot speak for the Chinese people but I probably would have chosen safety over rebellion against tyranny. This book written in exile almost exclude Ma Jian in someway, making it easier for him to own and write his opinion. But there is the evident indications that he suffers from homesickness even when home wants to kill him!
Written in exile Ma Jian explores the totalitarian government of China that erodes personal dreams and hopes in favour of controlled collective ideologies. Anyone that steps out of line dies, even nightmares must align with that of the party. This book is written in such a way that pulls you into the life of it characters while at the same time keeps you on the over side of the glass. You can only see and not influence which it the way the China government likes to keep things.
The communist leadership in China is something that we are all aware of but rarely do we consider the repercussion or pain Chinese people go through. It begs the question, can the people be both the oppressed and the oppressor?
The more I read the book, the more I think about compliance and fear. I cannot speak for the Chinese people but I probably would have chosen safety over rebellion against tyranny. This book written in exile almost exclude Ma Jian in someway, making it easier for him to own and write his opinion. But there is the evident indications that he suffers from homesickness even when home wants to kill him!
zmeiat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
There was not much of a story. It was a characterstudy of traumatised, 63 year old Mao Daode that is slowly losing his grip on reality as he starts to recall his youth during the cultural revolution. He is not meant to be likeable, but I found his slimy character very offputting and almost made me dnf the book just because i disliked him so much.
The big bad guy is obviusly the communist party tho
The big bad guy is obviusly the communist party tho
arf88's review against another edition
5.0
A very haunting and powerful dystopian novel made all the more impactful for how close to reality it is in today's China. Ma Jian's protagonist wants to forget, and he wants the rest of China to forget with him. But the more he tries to erase the past the more his mind forces him to live there. An honestly fantastic read.
ilaurin's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting novel that illustrates China’s past and current totalitarian government. It uses ridiculous happenings to show what is going on in the author’s native country. You feel his pain through this writing and the immense anger and compassion he feels for China and the Chinese people, even the ones part of the government.
josaff's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jennybun's review against another edition
dark
sad
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Some good parts and some not. Dark and incredibly disturbing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual content
tsharris's review against another edition
4.0
Unsettling novella in which the reality of Xi Jinping's China breaks down as a contemporary official is progressively overwhelmed by memories of the Cultural Revolution. Basically an argument that while contemporary China has tried to shut out traumas of the Mao years with consumerism and bellicose nationalism, there is no escape from a bloody past.