Thanks for the link, Richard. Truly horrifying – the stuff of denial for the beloved party.

It also indicates, of course, how far China has come in 30 years.

March 9, 2009 @ 1:26 pm | Comment

“…the stuff of denial…”

Never underestimate the power of denial…nor the power of STUFF:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyWsFfd9pqE&feature=related

March 9, 2009 @ 5:25 pm | Comment

Thank God we’ve come so far!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkRA9n2WWaY&feature=related

March 9, 2009 @ 5:43 pm | Comment

There’s a big difference between 1979 and 2009 in China, especially in the Rural areas.

March 9, 2009 @ 10:27 pm | Comment

I would hope we all know that, Pugster. But no harm in stating it again.

March 10, 2009 @ 12:05 am | Comment

The denial is in talking about all the wonder “progress.” Most of that “progress” has been the exchange of one kind of misery for another. What are the core values of modern Chinese society? If the essence of the past is ripped away, burned, trampled and/or discarded as worthless, what fills the void? The grand schemes of an elite ruling class? The raging consumerism encouraged by an almost wholly corrupt business class?

When even the U.S. with its foundation of laws and ideals, openness and discourse teeters on the brink, why would anyone think that there has been such “progress” in China.

Here is a link about that China that has come so far:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090309/pl_nm/us_usa_china_navy

If China wants a war the timing would be very interesting. Economic recovery for the West and utter devastation for China. Not a a smart idea.

March 10, 2009 @ 12:29 am | Comment

Not a S, I really fail to see any rational analogy between the navy story and the book review. And anyone who cannot see that China has made considerable progress since the horrors of the Mao days is in serious denial. Is it enough progress, are some people worse off, could the CCP have done much better, was there inexcusable corruption along the way? All valid questions. But to deny the progress that hundreds of millions in China are grateful for is, again, to deny reality. (And don’t misunderstand – I, too, wonder why they are so grateful when so many still suffer. Nonetheless, they are grateful, and the level of suffering since the CR and the GLF has been hugely diminished, as just about everybody has a TV and a mobile phone and things that 30 years ago would have seemed outrageously inconceivable.)

March 10, 2009 @ 12:41 am | Comment

I am sure it is a great book, but not one I would like to read.

I can imagine what I will find inside. A depressing sight, not the kind of book to read on a rainy gray day.

The dusty gray live I have seen in former east Europe, but much worst. The sorrowful results of a dystopia.

I do not mean that is not worth reading, but it is not for me.

March 10, 2009 @ 2:46 am | Comment

@Not a S

I see there the effects of an over nationalistic education, enhanced by the PLA training for sure.

Something that CH navy and government will have to deal with eventually if they pretend to be a trustful stakeholder in world affairs.

I agree that just an serious incident doing those funny things will do more harm to CH that anyone else.

March 10, 2009 @ 2:50 am | Comment

Richard, I should have left a separate item about the naval incident. You’re right it’s not directly related to the book review.

ecodelta, the PLA is an untested combat force (hopefully it will remain that way) that is not even entrusted with ammunition on most occasions. (Does Beijing really 2 million armed men running around with real bullets?) I agree that the potentially xenophobic training could lead to more incidents like this one with potentially tragic consequences.

March 10, 2009 @ 4:45 am | Comment

It’s a novel, guys. A story. Fiction. Granted, most writers devote a considerable amount of time to research before the final draft of their story and include loads of factual information on the history and culture of their subject. How did the old disclaimer go?, if I may paraphrase, ” The people and events depicted in this narrative are not real and in no way resemble individuals, living or dead , etc., etc.

Just another novel about China and the horrors of the CR intended for commercial consumption by a Western audience that is always more than willing to elevate authors to ‘celebrity status,’ including all the amenities – wealth and fame – if they portray China as ‘Evil.’

Pulp fiction, I’m afraid. Formula book.

While the young woman is talented, granted, in my opinion, this is nothing more than pablum for those who wish to live in the past and continually bathe themselves in the horrors of a time and a place that has, for the most part, thankfully, disappeared.

Personally, I have better things on which to spend my time.

March 10, 2009 @ 9:24 am | Comment

Riace, to each his or her own. I think it’s a beautifully written review of what seems to be an unusual book, and most of the things depicted – the cutting out the vocal chords and public executions – are all things I’ve read about in non-fiction.

Pulp fiction, I’m afraid. Formula book.

Have you read the book, by the way?

Just another novel about China and the horrors of the CR intended for commercial consumption by a Western audience that is always more than willing to elevate authors to ‘celebrity status,’ including all the amenities – wealth and fame – if they portray China as ‘Evil.’

Again, have you read the book? (Just askin’.) Also, that’s a pretty reckless and dramatic statement, born out by zero facts. I can name many books on China – most, in fact – that have been very successful and do not depict the country as evil. Your comment is irresponsible.

March 10, 2009 @ 9:53 am | Comment

“There’s a big difference between 1979 and 2009 in China, especially in the Rural areas.”

But aren’t you just trading one form of misery for another form of misery? It’s just that the economic nature of the misery is different. For example, Uncle Zhou thinks that he’s better off because he is able to buy a TV with the proceeeds obtained from selling his daughter into a brothel.

Besides, since when are you blokes experts on the Chinese countryside?

March 10, 2009 @ 12:02 pm | Comment

“There’s a big difference between 1979 and 2009 in China, especially in the Rural areas.”

Ah…Grasshopper…But you’re forgetting THE RULE: Objective reality is a function of whomever is in charge.

If Mao or Jiang Qing was in charge, then the mob would unanimously say that life was much better before 1979.

March 10, 2009 @ 12:38 pm | Comment

Thang, your comments aren’t showing up in real time because I’m monitoring them. Maybe send me an email and let me know why you’re posting all these dumb comments. I don’t want to censor, and if there’s some method to your madness I’ll consider letting them go. Right now, it looks like spam.

Richard

March 10, 2009 @ 1:35 pm | Comment