Reviews

Decided to read this book after hearing an interview with the author on the Diane Rehm show. It was a wonderfully written story, though brutal, it rings true. I highly recommend for those who want to try to understand a different point of view.

emmalthompson85's review against another edition

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4.0

The Vagrants is the reaction of a series of people to the hanging of a woman dubbed as a counterrevolutionary. It's a very complexley spun book, particularly in the characters. Every character in this book is painfully and darkly human, and all of them in moment that show them at their worst. It's so heart breakingly well written and complex, but I did really struggle to read it because it's also so dark. Many of these characters have no redeaming qualities, it's like a mirror held up to the absolute worst face of humanity and thus it's not entirely plesant to look in.

annetjeberg's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

vikingwolf's review against another edition

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I really disliked this book.Despite being interested in reading about Communist China,this one really dragged for me.Gu Shan is being put to death for expressing doubts about her support of the Cultural Revolution and Mao and this is the story of those connected to her.Her grieving mother,her father who feels let down by her behaviour,the young crippled girl whose injuries were caused when Shan attacked her pregnant mother,an ex-school rival and a young pervert who is desperate to see the dead body.

Personally I had no sympathy for Shan.As a member of the Red Guards she attacked the pregnant woman which destroyed the life of the unborn child,had her parents and neighbours whipped in public floggings and made life a misery for many people.Expressing a few doubts years later does not excuse her crimes and I was glad to see her punished although the death sentence would probably be excessive.The irony is that she was only being punished for her doubts not what we regard as her real crimes!And that creepy little pervert boy gave me the real creeps.I just found this book slow and dragging and I did not like many of the characters.

Sorry,not a great book in my opinion but I'm sure plenty will enjoy it.

crystalvaughan0603's review against another edition

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4.0

I picked this book up at Walmart in the bargain bin. It looked like an interesting read so I bought it. That said, was it an interesting read? Yes. It was interesting, but at the same time, it was one of the most difficult novels I've ever read. I think the reason that I found it so difficult was the knowledge that this story played out in China then, and still does today. I remember hearing the story of the Chinese political prisoner who was imprisoned before the Olympics, the one Christian Bale attempted to visit. It's disheartening to know that this kind of thing happens today and not just in China, but Iran, Egypt, and other countries. Reading this book made me realize how truly fortunate I am to live in a country where my private thoughts and journal won't send me to prison, or worse to death row. For that reason, I think this book should be required reading for everyone.

The Vagrants tells the story of several different people who live in Muddy River. It opens on the day the Gu's daughter was to be executed for dissent. The novel weaves together the stories of the villagers who are affected by Gu Shan's actions. It's an eye-opening experience for me, even though I was somewhat aware of the Democratic Wall movement. This novel details the effects on the lives of those who were not directly involved in the movement and were ambivalent about the outcome: the ordinary people who did not make the decisions but were forced to live with them.

jannetaweb's review against another edition

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4.0

Powerful and enlightening story. Remarkable piece of work.

lindseyzank's review against another edition

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4.0

This is a beatufilly written book about a horrific time in China's history. The change between characters gives the narrative ease and flow. It is a portrait of an entire culture rather than of particular characters and Li threads the various elements together in a stunning way. I was particularly drawn to Tong and his dog Ear as well as Nini and her search for someone to love her. The outcome is brutal and heartbreaking. I would have given this 5 stars if it was longer and the characters were explored more in depth. I felt like I was just getting to understand the workings of this distant land when it abruptly ended. I think Li has the capability of a writer to write a lenghty epic about her home and I look forward to see what she does in the future.

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