Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng
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Book Reviews of Life and Death in Shanghai
Book Review: Life and Death in Shanghai
Summary: 5 Stars
Life and Death in Shanghai is the autobiography of Nien Cheng, a remarkable woman who survived six and a half years of incarceration during China's Cultural Revolution under Mao Zedong. Her haunting memoirs depict vivid images of her struggles and triumphs throughout her oppressed years in China. The book begins with a story of her life prior to her persecution, and the striking contrast of her two separate life styles is extraordinary. Nien Cheng is masterful at relating her story to the world, and her tale is both inspiring and educational. Nien Cheng took me on a roller coaster ride, beginning with the first knock on her door by the Red Guards. The pain that she felt while she had strong metal handcuffs cutting into her wrists radiates through the book. She vividly recounts the moment of peace and quiet between the darkness of the night and the first light of morning when she would feel a sense of renewal and know that she could make it through another day. Nien Cheng strongly believed that she was innocent and had nothing to confess to the government. It was her strong belief in herself and her family that got her through the Cultural Revolution alive. I realized that I will never know what it means to be free until I am faced with the horrors of incarceration. I truly believe that she is an exceptional woman with a strong belief in her country, and if someone else was in her shoes there is an unlikely chance that they would have survived.Book Review: Nien Cheng, the person
Summary: 5 Stars
I cannot add much to the several excellent reviews of this book, so I will review the author. I contacted her after I read the book, and she invited me to meet her in DC, where she lives. We became friends, and she enjoyed my updates about what China is becoming. After writing her book, she was persona non grata in China; she could never go back. I, however, have been there dozens of times, and the democratic reforms she desires are actually happening there, though in fits and starts. Now, as to Ms. Cheng herself, she is one of the most lucid thinkers I have ever met, as well as one of the strongest people I have ever met. She has endured terrible tragedy that would break lesser people. But she does not see herself that way. She sees herself as having been naiive. While in prison in China, she was convinced that the Chinese officials would eventually acknowledge her innocence and let her go, maybe even making amends. When they finally did let her go, they did not actually admit they were wrong. They also provided nothing but obfuscation to her atttempts to investigate and track down those responsible for beating her daughter to death. when she came to the USA, she wrote the book partially because she needed the money to live on. Fortunately, it has been a resounding success. Now she is 94 years old, so you can see she is physically tough as well as mentally tough. When she passes on, the USA will have lost a national treasure.Book Review: The book that got me interested in China.
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book for a class and when I first began reading, I wasn't sure I was going to understand it because I didn't know anything about Chinese culture or history, but the story captured me! Cheng was a very strong woman in a very unstable time in China. I learned so much about the cultural revolution and the difficulties that people faced during that time. It was really interesting to see the differences between that form of government and my own. And I began to realize how fortunate I am to live in a country where I can freely express my ideas. This book got me intereseted in China because it showed me the real China because it's nonfiction. This is a great introduction to the government of China and the Cultural Revolution. I am now reading more books about the Cultural Revolution, Chinese culture, and stories about immigrating to the US from China.I usually read fiction books; so if you're a fiction reader also, please step out of your comfort zone and pick up this book! The detail Cheng uses in this book is phenomenal, I could imagine the story in the most vivid detail; just as if I had been watching it on television, or sometimes as if I was actually there. This is a book for everyone; it's not only a book about a difficult time in China, but it's about how the human spirit can survive no matter how bad life is. I love this book and Nien Cheng is my hero!
Book Review: Very Moving Story!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Cultural Revolution (1966 to 1976) has gone down in Chinese history as one of the darkest times the nation has ever lived through in its modern era. A mob mentality had taken over a fair portion of the population and Red Guards persecuted the 'politically incorrect' with a quasi-religious zeal. Anyone having western sympathies, or that were considered 'capitalist roaders' (one who advocates capitalism) were subjected to seizure of property, public humiliation, and in the case of Nien Cheng and many others- torture and imprisonment. When so many people were acting in such a sheepish and reprehensible manner it's refreshing to read this story of a woman who stuck to her beliefs and carried herself with dignity and honor- despite the consequences (I might add that there were many like her).
This is a beautiful story of a woman who lost so much, including her only child, but tells the story without guile and resentment. Well written, honest and touching- I recommend 'Life and Death in Shanghai' whole-heartedly.
Historical Note- As a resident of Shanghai I have spoken to many people who had lived those difficult times and have found nothing that contradicts anything that is contained in this book. I would also like to note that despite the dark picture painted here, I can assure you that Shanghai is really a wonderful place to live in these days!
Book Review: Vastly gripping. Must-read for Chinese abroad
Summary: 5 Stars
Although Ms. Cheng intends to have this book as her autobiography and her story of pertience and courage of conviction during the turmoil years of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, this book has ineviably become a work of political science. This book will be great for anybody who wants to understand "just why the heck are there Chinese everywhere in the world?" Through Ms.Cheng's extremely observative lenses, the lines do not merely reveal one single individual Chinese's suffering during those years of massive moral decay in China in the 1960's and 1970's, the emotions showcase the historical period vividly, and of often with a justified sarcastic undertone. For Chinese who were born abroad, this book is a must-read for all of you. The plot reveals just how completely chaotic China was during that period, thus, why so many wealthier Chinese who could afford to leave, had left to seek a better life for their offsprings in another place where money is not above moral and corruption is not an everyday dish. This book is even more essential to those who believe in the Chinese Communist Party. People who do not learn from history are truly insane, and there is a lot about China, the Chinese psyche, and how the Chinese Communist Party works one can learn from this book. Majestic achievement. Bow out to Ms. Cheng.