Colors of the Mountain, by Da Chen (1999)
Colors of the Mountain is a memoir of a young boy who grew up during the Cultural Revolution in China. His parents and grandparents were landlords before Mao took over. They were considered in an elite class, so after the revolution they suddenly found themselves outcasts in a rural farming community. Da was a good student, but was bullied in school by the farming students in his class. He essentially dropped out of school for a few years, thinking there was not future for him in academics. After Mao died, educational opportunities opened up for all young students and Da realized he may have a chance to leave his commune and realize his potential as a scholar.
This book was on my mother's suggested reading list. I wish I had a more extensive list of her favorite books.
Interesting book, especially since I just returned from an extended stay in China.
Colors of the Mountain is a memoir of a young boy who grew up during the Cultural Revolution in China. His parents and grandparents were landlords before Mao took over. They were considered in an elite class, so after the revolution they suddenly found themselves outcasts in a rural farming community. Da was a good student, but was bullied in school by the farming students in his class. He essentially dropped out of school for a few years, thinking there was not future for him in academics. After Mao died, educational opportunities opened up for all young students and Da realized he may have a chance to leave his commune and realize his potential as a scholar.
This book was on my mother's suggested reading list. I wish I had a more extensive list of her favorite books.
Interesting book, especially since I just returned from an extended stay in China.
Read: October 30, 2017
3 Stars
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