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anotherauthor's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. It reads very easily, but is a deeply informative book about what it was like to live under Mao.
oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition
4.0
Gripping and emotionally honest without any drippy sentimentality. I think Chang managed to illustrate her family's struggles with an even hand. I didn't get a sense she was trying to glorify or demonize anyone.
getyourghosts's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
A story of human nature
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Classism, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Torture, Medical trauma, Suicide, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: War, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Bullying
sidharthvardhan's review against another edition
5.0
A woman's guide to how to survive in China during Civil War and Mao. Also tells you why deitification and blind worship of leaders is a bad thing.
sage1994's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
aleks_png's review against another edition
4.5
Genuinely so interesting and as it’s more of a memoir than a history book, it’s quite accessible
hannahnana73's review
3.0
Finally! I finished this book after like a month (partly because it took a lot of motivation to actually pick it up and continue reading!) Tbh it was recommended by my history teacher and I wasn't expecting much of it... but actually it did surpass my expectations... In the sense I actually wanted to finish it and some parts I was in tears because of all the suffering they went through which I was completely oblivious to... Definitely not something I'd read normally (I'm more of a YA person and usually DESPISE autobiographies and any kind of non-fiction) and it does need quite a lot of perseverance to finish (627 pages ppl!) but I can say it was incredibly saddening and an eye-opening read:)