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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
This was a hard book to read because it is just so tragic. The stories are incredible and it's crazy how much pain, suffering, and sorrow people can take. This is one that made me so grateful for a loving and supportive husband and family. But it also showed how strong some women are to endure the trials they face. If you are a very sensitive soul, you should probably skip this one.
My favourite non-fiction book of all time. Journalist Xinran delves into the deep and dark stories of women in China, revealing lives filled with misery, sadness and often without hope. An incredibly sad, but important book for everyone to read. Women are incredible. We go through so much, and we are so strong. A heartbreaking book, but one that makes you think long, long after. Highly recommend for all, male and female.
Xinran was a journalist and presented a radio program for women in China for eight years. This gave her access to women all over China who told her about their lives. It sounds like she did an amazing job within the confines of the shifting political landscape. These are sad stories told in a compelling way, neat packages but full of emotion. Makes you wonder about the stories she couldn't share.
January 2024 (reread)
I'm returning to this book nearly six years after first reading it and - it was interesting. I still think it's great, but looking back at my review from May 2018 I don't feel nearly as gushy as back then. This book still moves me deeply and inspires my empathy, and I think it will always hold great value in showcasing the strength and resilience of Chinese women - but by god is it hard. It was quite possibly even harder reading it than the first time, because what really struck me is how unrelentingly cruel people can be, which is so prevalent right now.
What's also changed is that I won't be recommending this book to literally everyone I know anymore. I can recognise now that some people simply won't be able to handle the violence and trauma that the women in these stories experience.
But overall, still a hugely important and valuable reread. I still recommend if you're interested in learning more about the impacts of the Cultural Revolution on Chinese women on an individual level, and the relationship between the government and how Chinese women situate themselves in society.
I'm returning to this book nearly six years after first reading it and - it was interesting. I still think it's great, but looking back at my review from May 2018 I don't feel nearly as gushy as back then. This book still moves me deeply and inspires my empathy, and I think it will always hold great value in showcasing the strength and resilience of Chinese women - but by god is it hard. It was quite possibly even harder reading it than the first time, because what really struck me is how unrelentingly cruel people can be, which is so prevalent right now.
What's also changed is that I won't be recommending this book to literally everyone I know anymore. I can recognise now that some people simply won't be able to handle the violence and trauma that the women in these stories experience.
But overall, still a hugely important and valuable reread. I still recommend if you're interested in learning more about the impacts of the Cultural Revolution on Chinese women on an individual level, and the relationship between the government and how Chinese women situate themselves in society.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
No se puede poner en palabras lo angustiosamente revelador que resulta cada uno de estos relatos. Una cree saber sobre la vida femenina de la mayoria de las mujeres en el mundo, pero solo basta un par de páginas para replanteartelo
El tiempo que toma leer Nacer Mujer En China vale totalmente la pena; es una forma cruda y realista pero necesaria para comprender lo que significa ser mujer en una tierra tan conservadora como la China que todos (creemos) conocer. Cinco estrellas merecidas y si se pudiera otorgar más, más se le daría
El tiempo que toma leer Nacer Mujer En China vale totalmente la pena; es una forma cruda y realista pero necesaria para comprender lo que significa ser mujer en una tierra tan conservadora como la China que todos (creemos) conocer. Cinco estrellas merecidas y si se pudiera otorgar más, más se le daría
This is the saddest book that I have ever read. Heartbreaking stories!
Eh true or not this book. Somehow it's like not real like that ...
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Read in May 2018
This book is phenomenal. I went into it blind as my mum had picked it up on a whim in a charity shop (she picks up any book with “China” in the title for me, bless her), and I’m so so glad she did.
It felt like fate or destiny (or a higher power known as mother), had put this book in my path. Picture me on the tube, pulling the book out of my bag, cracking open to the first page, eyes widening and jaw dropping. Right there, black against white, nestled in the very first line of the book - Xinran was returning from teaching evening lectures from SOAS. SOAS, my university. The university I was travelling to in that very moment.
I knew the book would always feel little special to me for that reason alone, but I also absolutely devoured it. (Or did it devour me?)
I'm British-born Chinese, but I’d never before considered, or comprehended on an individual level, just how strong or resilient Chinese women are. This book taught me that and so much more. Some of these stories are enraging and leave you shaking with fury. Some leave you blurry-eyed, with grief weighing heavy on your heart. They are recounted in an almost detached, clinical tone, and yet you can feel how much respect and care Xinran holds for these women. I found the tone appropriate, but friends I lent the book to found the tone too detached so I’m mentioning it here.
I don’t want to sound dramatic but reading this book genuinely changed my life. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a more powerful or poignant book than this, that recounts the experiences of Chinese women with such empathy.
This book is phenomenal. I went into it blind as my mum had picked it up on a whim in a charity shop (she picks up any book with “China” in the title for me, bless her), and I’m so so glad she did.
It felt like fate or destiny (or a higher power known as mother), had put this book in my path. Picture me on the tube, pulling the book out of my bag, cracking open to the first page, eyes widening and jaw dropping. Right there, black against white, nestled in the very first line of the book - Xinran was returning from teaching evening lectures from SOAS. SOAS, my university. The university I was travelling to in that very moment.
I knew the book would always feel little special to me for that reason alone, but I also absolutely devoured it. (Or did it devour me?)
I'm British-born Chinese, but I’d never before considered, or comprehended on an individual level, just how strong or resilient Chinese women are. This book taught me that and so much more. Some of these stories are enraging and leave you shaking with fury. Some leave you blurry-eyed, with grief weighing heavy on your heart. They are recounted in an almost detached, clinical tone, and yet you can feel how much respect and care Xinran holds for these women. I found the tone appropriate, but friends I lent the book to found the tone too detached so I’m mentioning it here.
I don’t want to sound dramatic but reading this book genuinely changed my life. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a more powerful or poignant book than this, that recounts the experiences of Chinese women with such empathy.