Incredibly introduction to 20th century Chinese history though the quotidian

Another reminder how thankful I am for winning the birth lottery. This absorbing biography provides a glimpse of life in China throughout much of the 20th century, via the experiences of the author, her mother and grandmother. Through their stories, we learn of the fear, brutality, hardship, turmoil, and betrayal that were endured. Chang also provides us with an understanding of the strength, tenacity, courage, and occasional kindness shown by many of the people in their lives.

Chang provides a necessarily brief historical overview of China during this time, including the Japanese occupation, rise of communism, and the cultural revolution. This is not an easy story, but provides the reader with an understanding of the political and cultural influences of China during this period.

¡Aliviada me siento de poder terminar este libro! En el buen sentido, aunque ojo, llega a ser bastante información para digerirlo en un solo momento.

¿Cuáles son mis pensamientos finales de esta obra? 1) No sabía nada de China; 2) La gente hace todo por el poder; 3) Todo lo leído es fácilmente aplicable en varias situaciones políticas de México, y no está chido.

Ahora, está es una autobiografía, y es aterrador como sumamente pesado todo lo que la familia de la autora tuvo que pasar, como las demás familias Chinas: un estado de confusión y adoctrinamiento, así como culto que sigue hoy en día.

Recomiendo muchísimo la lectura, y no quiero que piensen que todo es sufrimiento en la lectura, porque al contrario. La autora trata de hacer justicia sobre la historia de su familia, contando desde la visión de su abuela, madre y ella misma.

Si hay un pero que le pondré, son cositas mínimas: la lectura es ágil pero sumamente larga, llegan a ser capítulos de 40-50 págs. Solo tengan eso en cuenta, y que pasarán por muchos estados de ánimo.

Esta fue una lectura conjunta por parte de #sputniksleyendo, el círculo de lectura el cual amo.

One of the most fascinating books I have ever read. Not only do I feel I got an honest history of communist China, its story plays out like a novel - I never wanted to put it down. Chang excels at pulling it together for you - showing you the differences between her Grandmother's life, her mother's life and her own, moving chronologically in a manner that makes such good sense. I completely followed it despite my absolute dearth of knowledge on the subject of China. I wept with her and felt an almost physical pain at the loss of such an ancient culture during the Maoist regime. I live in such an "easy" world, with freedoms I don't even consider being thankful for. Reading her family's story makes me look with a different perspective at my own life and the community and culture in which I was raised. I want to tell everyone about it.”

This is a good book covering 3 generations of Jung Chang's family; her concubine grandmother, her communist party leader mother, and her. It is also fascinating to hear about the Cultural Revolution from someone who experienced it first hand.

Jung Chang tells the story of her family in an impressively candid and honest voice, illustrating vividly the lives of not only herself, but also of her forebears, family members, and friends. Even in her criticism of the countless inhumane events that transpired, she never lost sight of her characters' humanity, unfailingly balancing the harshness and brutality with small joys and found beauty. This book has been a history lesson and an emotional journey rolled into one, and I found it to be an eye opener in helping me contextualize and better understand the culture and beliefs of China as it is today. Since this is also an account of how the author finally became disillusioned by the regime and the Party (and with much good reason!), I am curious to read other memoirs that may have interpreted or experienced these events differently.