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Books that help us learn about China

I have read a number of fiction and non-fiction books that helped me learn about Chinese culture and history and about China in general. I’ve never really kept a list of these, so this list is by no means complete. Perhaps it’s time we tried to compile a list. Here’s a start:

It’s important to point out that I did not like all of these books. Some of them I will never read again. I’m glad I read them the one time, because there is information I needed to learn, but it was not an easy read. Falling Leaves is a good example, I cried harder and longer than any book should make you cry. And I stayed in a depressed funk for quite a while after reading the book. It was a good book, an important book… but it was just so sad.

Have you ready any books that have helped you understand China, Chinese history, or Chinese culture? Please share.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 26th, 2010 at 7:05 am and is filed under Book, CD, & DVD Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.


 
 
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31 Responses to “Books that help us learn about China”

  1. TrulyBlessed Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 7:12 am

    Xinran’s “The Good Women of China” and “Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother”

    Another great book (though I haven’t gotten all the way through it yet) is

    “The Chinese Have a Word for It” by Boye Lafayette De Mente

  2. waitingagain Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 7:14 am

    Hi,

    I have read:

    Empress Orchid by Anchee Min

    Snow Flower And The Secret Fan by Lisa See

    Red Dust by Ma Jian

    Mao the Unknown Story by Jung Chang & Jon Halliday

    And then some books written by authors of my native language. I don´t know if the books are translated into English, French and so on

  3. Calamity4e Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 8:06 am

    I want to second the two books listed by Truly Blessed– I just finished “Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother” last night.

    Another book, “Bound feet and Western Dress” was good.

    I am also interested in learning about books that talk about being Asian American in current times. I am finding it more difficult to find these types of books. One that I have read is “Accidental Asian” the author talks about his life growing up in the US and his expereicnes. He was a speach writer for President Clinton (if I remember correctly).

  4. hope4-2soon Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 8:54 am

    A collection of short stories called The Bridegroom by Ha Jin is well written and I felt like I was learning a little about China.

    I found the book Beijing Coma by Ma Jian well written and I wanted to finish, but parts of it were too disturbing for me, so I didn’t finish it.

    I have read several books by Pearl S. Buck and Amy Tan, but I don’t know how much they actually reflect every day China. Amy Tan’s autobiography The Opposite of Fate was interesting and it was helpful in not only understanding a little about China, but what was like for her to grow up as a Chinese American.

  5. littleemperor Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 10:41 am

    Books that I would recommend include: Mao’s Last Dancer by Li Cunxin; Bomb, Book and Compass by Simon Winchester; FActory Girls by Leslie T. Chang and Miss Chopsticks by Xinran.

    On the historical fiction side of things the Dragonkeeper Triology (aimed at teenagers but I thought it they were fantastic) by Carole Wilkinson. RQ I’m sure you would like these 3 novels.

  6. triathlonner Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 11:20 am

    I recently finished “A Thousand Pieces of Gold” by Adeline Yen Mah. She takes some age-old, time-tested, “everyone knows ‘em” (according to her) Chinese proverbs and explains them and their origins in Chinese history, all the while weaving into them the story of her estrangement from her birth family. It was quite engaging, though I’ll admit you should either have a general interest in history or a specific interest in understanding China’s history as a nation (fortunately, I have both). We traveled to bring home our daughter this January, and to test the author’s assertion that these proverbs are well-known throughout China I lobbed a few at our guide. She knew them immediately, and seemed impressed that I would know them, too. It opened the door for a great conversation about Chinese and American history and future over tea with our guide that day.

    I’m also finishing up Rob Gifford’s “China Road”, written just a few years ago by NPR’s China correspondent, who traveled the entire width of China from Shanghai to Kazakhstan along the old Silk Road. Along the way, he wrote about his experiences and about the candid and often surprising opinions, attitudes, beliefs, and values of the Chinese people regarding both Chinese and western culture, government, history, and future. It’s very eye-opening, and very surprising at points; funny and dramatic and upsetting and thought-provoking all at the same time.

    I’d highly recommend both of these books.

  7. WhereAreYouMommy Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 11:28 am

    The best books I’ve read are:

    - The Good Earth by Pearl Buck
    - Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng
    - A Mother’s Ordeal by Steven Mosher
    - Fifth Chinese Daughter by Jade Snow Wong
    - Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah

  8. tkwtpw Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 12:05 pm

    Just read Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. Loved it!
    Actually anything written by Lisa See would be great on this list.

  9. free2hope Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 12:55 pm

    Right now I am finishing the last chapter of “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” by Anne Fadimean It isn’t about China but about the encounters of immigrant Hmong people from Laos with American medical care. We believe our daughter is from this minority group. I have gained some interesting insights into the culture of her minority group as well as a deep lesson in cultural sensitivity overall.

  10. hellofrompgh Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    Hello all,

    Wild Swans was EXCELLENT…it decribes what life was like for 3 generations of one women in one womans family. They start 4 generations ago with the great grandmother who was not even given a name but referred to as number 4 daughter. It covers the end of the 1800, thru today.

    What I am looking for is a good book that will describe the older history of china and not put me to sleep. Any suggestions?

    Rose

  11. southslopemama Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 1:51 pm

    The Inspector Chen mysteries by Qui Xiaolong are not only riveting mysteries but a great insight into the changing world of China in the 1990′s, as seen through the eyes of the poet/inspector. They are set in Shanghai, and I have enjoyed each book in the series, and keep checking to see when his next one is coming out! They are sometimes difficult to read, and deal with tough subjects like the Cultural Revolution–but always fascinating.

    Qui Xiaolong also has translated several books of poetry from the Chinese.

    Steph

  12. Annabelle Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 2:13 pm

    I just finished last night Lost on Planet China, by J. Maarten Troost. More of a travel memoir thru present day China. Author is very funny, offers a dose of history as well that is easy to understand. I loved it!

  13. mew Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 3:00 pm

    I love book threads!!!

    One of the first Chinese-themed books I read was:
    The Long March by Sun Shuyun

    The Long March: The True History of Communist China’s Founding Myth

    Short but very riveting. This led to:
    China Wakes: The Struggle for the Soul of a Rising Power by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. Not quite as riveting but extremely enlightening. Before reading these two books I knew very little about China and Chinese history.

    I am presently reading Wild Swans, linked on RQ’s original list, and I’m totally enthralled. Mao the Unknown Story by the same author and her husband ( linked in the added list) has been ordered and should be arriving any day! Looking forward to some great reading.

  14. mew Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 3:03 pm

    The link for China Wakes is:

    China Wakes: The Struggle for the Soul of a Rising Power

    RQ how do you abbreviate the links in your posts?

  15. RumorQueen Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    I changed them for you Mew – you can do it with html coding, but Amazon makes it easy for me with a tool I can use when I’m on the Amazon site – a few clicks and the coding is in my clipboard ready for me to paste anywhere I want.

  16. nanbwill Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 3:34 pm

    Lisa See’s On Golden Mountain helped me understand the Chinese immigration to the US.

    China Road, River Town and Leslie Chang’s Factory Girls were all very interesting in terms of modern life in China and the life struggles of the people there who may have interacted with our children.

    Wanting a Daughter, Needing a Son: Abandonment, Adoption, and Orphanage Care in China by Kay Ann Johnson and Amy Klatzkin was interesting in terms of different perspectives by the Chinese population on abandonment of children. This is one where I didn’t necessarily agree on everything, but was thought provoking.

    Peter Hessler has a new book out called Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory – I’d read anything he wrote. He seems to have a balanced view of how the cultures interact.

  17. azawa Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 5:12 pm

    Lost on Planet China was so funny. I usually pass books along but I kept it to read again. When I get through all the other books piles 3 deep on my bookshelf!

  18. Afamily4Him Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 7:39 pm

    Forgive me if this is already mentioned somewhere but I am just finishing “The lost daughters of China”. I don’t want it to end!

  19. HeidiS Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 9:28 pm

    Rumor Queen,

    If you do a post on “books that help us through the wait,” could you mention mine (“While We Wait: Spiritual and Practical Advice for Those Trying to Adopt” by Heidi Schlumpf). I’ve tried to PM you about this a few times, but haven’t heard back. I wrote it specifically to help others through the difficult of the extended wait.

    Thanks for highlighting all these valuable resources for adoptive parents.

  20. chickensoupforchina Says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    I’ve read several of the above mentioned. However, I now have quite a few more to add to my summer reading list. Thank you, this is a fantastic post.

  21. RumorQueen Says:
    April 27th, 2010 at 7:29 am

    Heidi – I’m not sure that book belongs in this post, does it? I looked it up on Amazon and I can’t see that it tells about Chinese culture or history at all.

    As for books to read during the wait – I’m always going to recommend people read about attachment and sensory issues, that they also read general parenting books that don’t mention adoption, that they try to learn about racial issues, and that they read what adult adoptees have to say.

  22. 3waitingfor4 Says:
    April 27th, 2010 at 7:39 am

    Historical books (though not too taxing, if you know what I mean!):

    China – a Traveller’s History by Stephen G Haw (excellent and easy to read)

    The Great Wall -China against the world 1000 BC -AD 2000 by Julia Lovell (excellent)

    The Dynasties of China by Bamber Gascoigne (A Brief History of -series) (excellent too!! and very easy to read)

    Zhou Enlai – The Last Perfect Revolutionary by Gao Wenqian
    (really interesting and a little sad… all those wonderful ideals)

    The Changing Face of China -from Mao to Market by John Gittings (written by well known expert/journalist, very detailed on the economic side, very good)

  23. violet Says:
    April 27th, 2010 at 11:17 am

    Anything by Geling Yan…XueXue the Sent Down Girl (also avail as a movie) and the Banquet Bug (her newest…)

  24. matzwd Says:
    April 27th, 2010 at 11:34 am

    RQ, I had a though while going over all these great book recommendations. Is it possible to start a book swap room, done kind of like the hand-me-down hangout? A person could post what they have available or what they would like to read, and someone could match to them, making an offer of what book they could trade, etc. This way, each person would just snail mail their book out, and no money needs to be exchanged. I think there may be several of us that have ebooks to swap too.

  25. kantmakm Says:
    April 27th, 2010 at 11:45 am

    I would highly recommend “The Corpse Walker: Real Life Stories: China from the Bottom Up” by Liao Yiwu

    “Chinese writer (and notorious target of censors) Liao travels to the margins of Chinese society, interviewing 27 outsiders from China’s forgotten classes. The book contains an incredible cast of characters: a grave robber, a composer, a leper, a professional mourner paid to wail at funerals, a human trafficker and a delusional peasant who has anointed himself emperor.”

    Thanks for putting together this list!

  26. fortyfour Says:
    April 27th, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    I love hearing the recommendations! I have a few more to share:

    Out of Mao’s Shadow by Philip Pan – I thought this was wonderful for bringing me up-to-date on the current political situation in China.

    Coming Home Crazy by Bill Holm – I have never seen this mentioned in China-reading-list recommendations, but Bill Holm was so insightful and sympathetic to his Chinese students – wonderful book – pre-1989, so the political situation was different.

    I also enjoyed A Thousand Years of Good Prayers (Yiyun Li), A Single Pebble (John Hersey), The Woman Warrior (Maxine Hong Kingston), and Waiting (Ha Jin – already mentioned for some of his other works). I didn’t especially enjoy Daughter of China (Meihong Xu), about a woman in a secret intelligence unit who falls in love with an American (non-fiction), but there is a lot of interesting information about the military, and her ordeal was incredible.

  27. HeidiS Says:
    April 27th, 2010 at 10:49 pm

    RQ,

    Sorry to be having this discussion on this post but I can’t seem to reach you through PM. No, it’s not a book about Chinese culture. And I agree that people should read about sensory issues, attachment, general parenting. But this is a book specifically about “how to survive the wait” so I thought it might be of interest to your readers. I’d love to send you a copy. You can email me at schlumpfh (at) yahoo (dot) com.

    Heidi

  28. ladeeesquire Says:
    April 28th, 2010 at 12:18 am

    I didn’t see anyone post Will the Boat Sink the Water by Chen Guidi and Wu Chintao. Its fairly modern book completed in 2006 or so and chronicles the life and plight of rural peasants. Interesting read.

  29. Bob Says:
    April 28th, 2010 at 1:20 am

    I have read:
    Wild Swans
    Mao: The Unknown Story
    Red Scarf Girl
    Life and Death in Shanghai
    Zhou Enlai: The Last Perfect Revolutionary
    Modern China by Jonathan Fenby
    The Private Life of Chairman Mao
    I forget the name of the book on the Cultural Revolution – It is in my personal classroom library
    I am now reading Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

    Nien Cheng’s “Life and Death in Shanghai” started my reading on China in 2003 and increased my interest in the Communist Revolution and its aftermath when I took a class on Modern China that year. The Cultural Revolution and the Great Leap Forward are two of the most foolish enterprises I have ever seen in my reading of History. The personal stories in “Life and Death” and also in “Wild Swans” and “Red Scarf Girl” are all very poignant and informative. Mao is one of the most interesting and appalling figures I have ever studied. I enjoyed both of the books by Jang Chung very much.

  30. Annabelle Says:
    April 28th, 2010 at 7:38 pm

    I have one more. There is a new novel coming out on May 3rd. The Red Thread: A Novel by Ann Hood. She is a popular author(The Knitting Circle, Comfort) who is also adopted a daughter from China. The novel is a fictional story of five adoptions from China. I love the way she writes so I can’t wait to read it.

  31. sahsmom Says:
    April 29th, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    A book to add:
    The Man Who Loved China, by Simon Winchester. (nonfiction)

    The guy at the heart of the book is a bit of a jerk in some ways, but the amount of information about Chinese culture and contributions to the world is amazing! Just the appendix listing inventions that originated in China will blow you away. Who knew how much of our modern world’s technology started there?