Book #2 - "Life and Death in Shanghai"
Approximately two years ago, I read a book called "Wild Swans" by Jung Chang, probably the most powerful, most infuriating book I have ever read. It focuses on three generations of women during the various upheavals in China, especially the Cultural Revolution, an attempt to purge a new communist nation of any threats to Chairman Mao.
With that book in mind, I selected "Life and Death in Shanghai" by Nien Cheng as my next read. Although I initially found the author slightly irritating with her pompous attitude (she did work for Shell and was very well-off), as she described her imprisonment in a detention center for six years, I felt as if I was serving the time with her. My stomach was sick as she described her various moments with interrogators and an especially horrible twelve days with punishment handcuffs on. This woman was a pawn in the various power struggles between the Red Guards, the Radicals, Mao, the Gang of Four, and whoever else decided to become involved. She was never really told why she was imprisoned and absolutely refused to budge into giving a confession, unlike most of her coworkers, friends, and fellow countrymen. As I read this book, I thought to myself, "I would definitely have joined the Red Guards! It would be much better than the alternative! Confess!" To survive during the cultural revolution, one had to change sides accordingly and accuse neighbors and friends, denounce family members, and try to blend in with the masses. This woman, Nien Cheng, defied this and was finally (after 12 years) "rehabilitated" witha semi-apology from the Chinese government. Her strength is beyond belief.
At the end of the book (which was written in 1986), she discusses the possiblity of a great Chinese future with new ties with the West. Little did she know. Who knew that today China would be in a prime position to become the most powerful nation in the world? That it would be the largest automotive market? That there would be one billion people grabbing onto technology with the rest of the world? That the 2008 Olympics would be held within sight of the Tiananmen Square massacres (which by the way, she mentions that there was one in 1976 that killed thousands and when I tried to find information online, there is a mention of a protest, but absolutely no reference to any deaths. Strange)? That Mao would be frozen in time with his Little Red Books being handed out to foreigners flocking to see this monster of a man? And I think of China--- with its tragic recent history, with its horrendous toilets, with billions of people still staring at Westerners, the friendliness and eagerness of its young people, and a Starbucks controversy in the Forbidden City (which I didn't even notice, so it can't be that prominent)--- and I just have to say, "Wow. China. Wow."
With that book in mind, I selected "Life and Death in Shanghai" by Nien Cheng as my next read. Although I initially found the author slightly irritating with her pompous attitude (she did work for Shell and was very well-off), as she described her imprisonment in a detention center for six years, I felt as if I was serving the time with her. My stomach was sick as she described her various moments with interrogators and an especially horrible twelve days with punishment handcuffs on. This woman was a pawn in the various power struggles between the Red Guards, the Radicals, Mao, the Gang of Four, and whoever else decided to become involved. She was never really told why she was imprisoned and absolutely refused to budge into giving a confession, unlike most of her coworkers, friends, and fellow countrymen. As I read this book, I thought to myself, "I would definitely have joined the Red Guards! It would be much better than the alternative! Confess!" To survive during the cultural revolution, one had to change sides accordingly and accuse neighbors and friends, denounce family members, and try to blend in with the masses. This woman, Nien Cheng, defied this and was finally (after 12 years) "rehabilitated" witha semi-apology from the Chinese government. Her strength is beyond belief.
At the end of the book (which was written in 1986), she discusses the possiblity of a great Chinese future with new ties with the West. Little did she know. Who knew that today China would be in a prime position to become the most powerful nation in the world? That it would be the largest automotive market? That there would be one billion people grabbing onto technology with the rest of the world? That the 2008 Olympics would be held within sight of the Tiananmen Square massacres (which by the way, she mentions that there was one in 1976 that killed thousands and when I tried to find information online, there is a mention of a protest, but absolutely no reference to any deaths. Strange)? That Mao would be frozen in time with his Little Red Books being handed out to foreigners flocking to see this monster of a man? And I think of China--- with its tragic recent history, with its horrendous toilets, with billions of people still staring at Westerners, the friendliness and eagerness of its young people, and a Starbucks controversy in the Forbidden City (which I didn't even notice, so it can't be that prominent)--- and I just have to say, "Wow. China. Wow."
posted by Rachel at
2:53 AM
2 Comments:
Here is what I think:
You should go back to school and get a PhD in Asian Studies. You'll get to read tons (and if you go to the right place, they'll even pay you a stipend).
Then you take your infinite widsom to some ritzy college (because no normal college would have a huge department on it), teach, and write grants that pay for you to go back and research more. :)
It's like you have been reading my mind! I am planning on making my PhD decision very soon, but I have to admit that the medieval period still makes my heart go pitter patter a bit faster. I am such a nerd. But Asian Studies is much more practical with the current situation. :)
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