Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng
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Book Reviews of Life and Death in Shanghai
Book Review: triumph of the spirit
Summary: 5 Stars
Whilst some readers have their viewpoints that the author had shown no sympathy towards the plight of their fellow Chinese, I think the issues that the book is trying to address here is about life struggle, human endurance, & triumph of the spirit. The message is an affirmation that if we have faith in something &/or somebody, perseverance will show us through the day. Whilst it is easy for us to judge someone's character, we have to analyse every & each circumstances through their context. Afterall, we human are not perfect. But I still believe that there is kindness in every & each one of us. There was a book written by Han Su-Yin & she briefly mentioned about the author but it's obvious of her contempt for the latter person due to her background. Sometimes, we couldn't help wondering if the attack is personal or done objectively. Whatever that is, I still can't help admiring the author for her courage in standing up against the tall order. I know I wouldn't.Book Review: Focused Look at Detainment in Cultural Revolution
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a good Focused Look at Detainment in Cultural Revolution. Most of the book is told while she is in a detainment camp (not prison, she never actually was sentenced to anything). Basically, all her problems were owing to the leftists in the communist party lead by Jiang Qin and the gang of four, who wanted to elicit a confession from her that she was a spy, which in turn would have to the downfall of several of their political opponents (zhou enlai if i am not mistaken). I most admire her persistence in never admitting fault even after 6 years and some mild torture. It reminds me a lot of Joseph Smith who persisted in claiming that he had spoken with God in person, even when many many people called him a liar or a false prophet. I have always admired those who are true to themselves and don't give into the social pressure to change just because they face persecution.Book Review: A vivid and meticulous account of Cultural Revolution
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a Chinese living in Hong Kong and I have relatives who have endured through the Cultural Revolution. The events that they told me were in a very great extent similar to those described by Cheng. As a result I think she did not exaggerate nor making up any stories of her own. Moreover, remember that what Cheng has gone through is just very "typical" among the tens of thousands of so-called "capitalists" during that period. Her detailed and sober description of what she had been experienced is breathtaking. You could not resist to read until the last page. There is just one thing I couldn't understand: How can the people of a whole country turn mad just overnight? After reading the last page, I took a deep breath and hope that after so many years and also after the reform, China will never experience such a turmoil again.Book Review: A thoughtful and inspiring book
Summary: 5 Stars
My book club chose to read this book and I will admit that I groaned inwardly. As a good member of the club, I began my dreaded assignment. I was very surprised to find that I really enjoyed reading this story of a woman inprisoned during China's cultural revolution. Although the book is over 500 pages, I read it in just three days. Her strength of spirit and presence of mind even under the most daunting circumstances cannot help but be admired. Her story is extremely compelling and difficult to put down. Her portrayal of a dictatorial communist government and the effects on those under that rule is vividly expressed so that the reader understands what it might be like to actually live the experience. This books provokes the reader to look within and ask if faced with what Nien CHeng experienced, what am I made of? Highly recommend.Book Review: AMAZING STORY
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the best biographies that i have ever read so far. It reflect the writer personality very clreary in all life aspects. I realy highly admire the writer's personality and her courage during the years she spent in the jail. Her tenderness was outstanding towards every body aroung her specially her maids. I like her cautious and clearverness in dealing with those officials. The story describe a very vivide and perfect political describtion of shanghai during that period. I would like to draw the attention that the writer has a magic of transferring the reader back to that time and letting them feel in exactly the same way she felt and suffer, with a clear describtion of the places and peaple. The writer is very neat and organized person and that could be defined clearly through the story's events consequences.