-
Some bright points
“This book tells the story of a mysterious Chinese artist who travels to America with an arts fellowship and is hosted by a wealthy Californian family, the matriarch of which is a brooding blonde with her own secrets to hide. Things don't go exactly as planned...or do they? The characters each have their own uniquely tinged identity crises and the reader's challenge is to find out who is who beneath the patina of first impressions. I liked the book, although the portions of the narrative set in China featuring the "the dissident" and his band of situationists seemed contrived and awkward. The author tries to capture a specific moment in time in China of great inspiration and creation, but the picture lacks genuine sensorial depth and consistency. I never really believed the "dissident" character's narration was genuine, not only because of his allusions to chameleon behavior, but because his experience is so far removed from the author's. The author seems most comfortable delineating urban, domestic America, and perhaps the novel would have had more momentum had it focused - perhaps more succintly - on that world. Toward the end, I found myself skipping over the China-based chapters out of sheer tedium and the fact that much of the expository writing about the Chinese dissident community didn't really seem to forward the narrative or capture my interest. The book also features many different plot lines, and as a reader I never got that feeling of relief when everything feels like it's finally coming together, rather it just seemed to peter out.”
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-09-26. -
Evocative, funny and thought-provoking first novel
“The first time I visited Beijing's Dashanzi art district several years ago, I wandered into a crowded gallery only to find a guy lying in the middle of the floor, wrapped in a flag, while some people were dripping candle wax onto him and others were shooting video. A few steps outside and I was introduced to another artist whose specialty was painting himself to blend into various walls. Nell Freudenberger's first novel evokes well the performance art milieu of Beijing, at least from the perspective of an outsider looking in. From having lived ten years or so in West Los Angeles, I'd also say she manages a good satire of life there (though that's a much easier target).
An amazon user wrote this on 2008-12-20.
While some reviewers prefer either the Chinese narrative or the L.A. one, I thought they complemented each other well. Even if the American characters aren't always as engaging as the title character, the author has a great ear and warm imagination for their dialogue. E.g., a spoiled private high school student who's spent time in France, impressed that her classmate's brother went to a party at his Latina girlfriend's home in the Echo Park neighborhood: "'Wow,' said Emily, 'ça c'est vraiment le barrio.'" And the characters who need to be likable, are.
The story sometimes has a typical first-novelish, self-reflective preoccupation with the theme of 'what is art?,' but it manages to be interesting on that topic. NF's treatments of identity and "dissidence" are also nicely structured, with many interesting parallels and contrasts among the characters; better yet, she doesn't hit you over the head with these by having her characters call attention to them. This is a very satisfying novel -- I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next one from this author.” -
Two good stories in one
“This novel is a first person account by a Chinese artist of his year spent in LA on a culteral grant.
An amazon user wrote this on 2008-01-28.
There is also his retelling of his rise in the Chinese underground art scene. I found this depiction fascinating, with several good characters.
In LA, there is the main character's interaction with the American family he is living with. There is some of the expected culture clash here. There is also the interactions within this slighlty dysfunctional family.
Finally, there is even a bit of a plot twist at the end. If you are intereseted in a good story about the Chinese avant garde art scene and about a family dissolving, then check out The Dissident.” -
Beijing and LA
“ "The Dissident" is a readable and often funny book as long as the author stays with the complications of the LA family who are hosts to the protagonist, the Beijing dissident, but she spends too many pages on the past of Mr. Yuan, the artist from abroad. The accounts of the Chinese performance artists read like digressions and are less entertaining than the deceptions of the locals. Freudenberger knows the American social scene; she should stick to that.
An amazon user wrote this on 2007-10-15.
One scene recounting the experience of flying across country with a pet in coach is a gem. And the intrigue is deftly revealed at last.” -
1 of 4 members found this review helpful.
Quite Enjoyable
“I found The Dissident to be a great read. It has a lively pace, interesting characters, and a satisfying arc.”
An amazon user wrote this on 2007-05-16.
