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A review by careinthelibrary
Wuhan Diary: Dispatches from the Original Epicenter by Fang Fang
3.0
Wuhan Diary by Fang Fang was a glimpse into the beginning of our new world. This is a first-hand account of the disbelief and uncertainty of the early days of COVID-19. This is a diary from one of China's most beloved writers though it's the first from her that I've ever read. Spanning about three months, Fang writes about the public, medical, and governmental reactions and response to the coronavirus and the phases of the lockdown that happened in the Chinese province where she has lived for decades. This book, despite being one woman's experience written in a short period of time and a small amount of space, relies on early observations from friends in the medical field, news reports (false and accurate), hateful and supportive comments on her diary entries, rumours, and videos to build a picture of Wuhan's millions in isolation. It felt like she made an effort to represent the emotions, thoughts, and concerns of the people of her city, not just her own privileged perspective. It was too long with lots of repetitive thoughts and refrains.
This is a diary, of course. Just compiled together thoughts that probably were repetitively chiming through her mind. Very little if any editing has taken place to make this volume more cohesive and "narrative-like". That being said, some parts of this were poetic and emotionally heavy. When Dr Li Wenliang, an early death in the coronavirus crisis who is seen as a whistleblower about the spread and severity of the illness, died, Fang Fang's reaction to his loss was beautiful and affecting. "During the afternoon someone here in Wuhan was heard screaming, "The people of Wuhan will take care of Li Wenliang's family!" There are many people who share that sentiment. To commemorate Dr. Li, tonight everyone in Wuhan plans to turn off their lights, then at exactly the time he passed away overnight, we will shine flashlights or cellphone lights into the sky while whistling for him. During this dark, heavy night, Li Wenliang will be our light. This quarantine has been going on so long now, what else can the people of Wuhan do to release the depression, sadness, and anger in their hearts? Perhaps this is all we can do."
If you're curious about the perspective of a moderate Wuhanese perspective of the pandemic that affects us all, I recommend this title.
This is a diary, of course. Just compiled together thoughts that probably were repetitively chiming through her mind. Very little if any editing has taken place to make this volume more cohesive and "narrative-like". That being said, some parts of this were poetic and emotionally heavy. When Dr Li Wenliang, an early death in the coronavirus crisis who is seen as a whistleblower about the spread and severity of the illness, died, Fang Fang's reaction to his loss was beautiful and affecting. "During the afternoon someone here in Wuhan was heard screaming, "The people of Wuhan will take care of Li Wenliang's family!" There are many people who share that sentiment. To commemorate Dr. Li, tonight everyone in Wuhan plans to turn off their lights, then at exactly the time he passed away overnight, we will shine flashlights or cellphone lights into the sky while whistling for him. During this dark, heavy night, Li Wenliang will be our light. This quarantine has been going on so long now, what else can the people of Wuhan do to release the depression, sadness, and anger in their hearts? Perhaps this is all we can do."
If you're curious about the perspective of a moderate Wuhanese perspective of the pandemic that affects us all, I recommend this title.