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Liked It “This was a fascinating and eye opening story revealing how very different the Chinese culture is from ours here in America.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“This was a fascinating and eye opening story revealing how very different the Chinese culture is from ours here in America.”
Bethany K wrote this review Wednesday, April 28, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Kristel 3 out of 5 stars This debut novel, written by Anchee Min, a Chinese author, is about an American teacher who goes to China to teach English and complete a paper for her dissertation on women in China. The author contrasts the differences between American women and the Chinese woman's freedom of self expression. All her students are captivated by her but not as much as Lion Head, Zebra and Jasmine who's triangulated relationships are ever moving and changing. Zebra fears Jasmine, doesn't have much respect for Lion Head and is in love with the teacher. Of the three, Zebra has the most to lose. Katherine fails to understand how she endangers her students and Lion Head and Jasmine are the most self centered. This may not be the most entertaining of novels but I think it was realistic in its depiction of being Chinese when compared to Wild Swans, Three Daughters of China a memoir written by Jung Chang. While this is not Anchee Min's memoir, it reads as part memoir, part novel.
Author, Author Shelf wrote this review Sunday, September 20, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Mary B said: 3 stars. Zebra gets what can best be described as a leave of absense from the farm collective she's been assigned to in Communist China to take advanced English classes. She forms a close bond with her American teacher, Katherine, and the other members of her class. The discussions on the differences between Chinese and American culture definitely made this book intriguing. That was definitely my favorite part. Some of the interactions between members of the class got a little soap opera-y, but it all contributed to the plot. There was also more than a little bit of homoeroticism which was a tad uncomfortable. Still, Anchee Min can certainly write, and I may have to pick up something else by her. Also this book referenced some of the other Chinese books I read this month which made me incredibly happy. Katherine read the Good Earth and they saw the Peony Pavilion performed. Kind of worked as an end to the month.”
“This book written by Anchee Min, a Chinese author, is about an American teacher who goes to China to teach English and complete a paper for her dissertation on women in China. The author contrasts the differences between American women and the Chinese woman's freedom of self expression. All her students are captivated by her but the not as much as Lion Head, Zebra and Jasmine who's trianglulated relationships are ever moving and changing. Zebra fears Jasmine, doesn't have much respect for Lion Head and is in love with the teacher. Of the three, Zebra has the most to lose. Katherine fails to understand how she endangers her students and Lion Head and Jasmine are the most self centered.
Kristel wrote this review Tuesday, August 18, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This may not be the most entertaining of novels but I think it was realistic in its depiction of being Chinese when compared to Wild Swans, Three Daughters of China a memoir written by Jung Chang. ”
“This was the first of Anchee Min's books that I read, and it made me want to read anything I could get my hands on about China's history, both ancient and recent.”
tinakristina wrote this review Monday, December 31, 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Anchee Min is a wonderful guide to the changes that have taken place in maoist and post-mao china. In this book she contrasts a young liberated female American teacher with the frightened, repressed college-age students in her class. Min picks one young student as the story-teller, and through their tale we learn about taking risks, and the consequences.
adamcf wrote this review Friday, March 9, 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
If a reader wants to follow the dramatic changes in sexuality in communist China, try this sequence: Waiting, Red Azelea, Katherine, and Shanghai Baby. The effect is dizzying.”
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