(B) Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (Dai Sijie, 2002) Grade: A-This novel interested me because it takes place during the Cultural Revolution in China, a time in which intellectualism was viewed negatively and such things as Western novels were destroyed. I always thought that this period sounded like something from a science-fiction novel; it’s hard to believe it really happened. The protagonist of this novel discovers a secret stash of Western novels by such authors as Hugo, Dumas and Balzac, whose work has a profound impact on the seamstress. In fact, the last sentence of the book is one of Balzac’s. Her transformation from her education seems worthwhile yet it ultimately brings tragedy to the two men in the story. Definitely eager to see the film.
2 comments:
If you are interested in this stuff... there's a book called Son Of The Revolution by Liang Heng and Judith Shapiro and it's a novel, but based on a true story. It's all about the Cultural Revolution and the Red Guard and the Lost Generation of China. It's one mans story of what happened to his family. It also discussed the Hundred Flowers Movement which became the Anti-rightist movement.
I just spent a whole semester studying all this stuff... unbelievably fascinating!!
I wouldn't say the Cultural Revolution was something from a science fiction novel, per www.m-w.com science fiction is defined as – “fiction dealing principally with the impact of actual or imagined science on society or individuals or having a scientific factor as an essential orienting component”. The Cultural Revolution was a reality and a use of power. Mao kept his people ignorant and loyal to him and wanted to keep a level of Nationalism in the country. Chinese people have much pride and the thought of anything NOT Eastern I'm sure was feared and looked upon badly. Mao was placing complete autocratic control over his people and his ideals, common for any dictator.
Post a Comment