This novel by Dai Sijie, is available in Chinese or English – and can be found in audio format in English. Set during the cultural revolution, it treats the it’s protagonists with warmth and humor – and the book has been well received critically. It has love, illicit sex, betrayal, and references to western literature. It’s set where I’ve traveled – and I’ve included some personal pictures – and I may need to tell my story of the young toughs, the stick of dynamite and the Red Chinese Army soldiers. Synopsis: I was clever, something very bad happened, and it wasn’t my fault; but this post is about someone else’s story.
- study questions
- Map available – large.
- Wikipedia on the book by Dai Sijie
- Wikipedia on author (semi-autobiographical?)
Poster images found at Stefan Landsberger’s sight.- history of Chinese Communist Party
Characters:
- Ma – our narrator most of the time. Dr’s kid. 18 ?
- Luo – Dentist’s kid. 19
- The Little Seamstress (aka: ) age? Innocent or sex kitten?
- Tailor
- Village chief – ex opium grower.
Setting
Phoenix mountain near ChengDu, Yunnan? Year (?)
Books worth reading.
- Nien Cheng, Life and Death in ShiangHi
- Kristoff and WuDunn, China Wakes
- Yu Hua,Brothers
Pictures from my travel in the area
