Under Red Skies: Three Generations of Life, Loss, and Hope in China

Under Red Skies: Three Generations of Life, Loss, and Hope in China

  • 作者: Kan, Karoline
  • 原文出版社:Hachette Books
  • 出版日期:2019/03/12
  • 語言:英文
  • 定價:1026
  • 優惠價:73748
  • 優惠期限:2025年04月09日止
  • 運送方式:
  • 臺灣與離島
  • 海外
  • 可配送點:台灣、蘭嶼、綠島、澎湖、金門、馬祖
  • 可配送點:台灣、蘭嶼、綠島、澎湖、金門、馬祖
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內容簡介

A deeply personal and shocking look at how China is coming to terms with its conflicted past as it emerges into a modern, cutting-edge superpower.

Through the stories of three generations of women in her family, Karoline Kan, a former New York Times reporter based in Beijing, reveals how they navigated their way in a country beset by poverty and often-violent political unrest. As the Kans move from quiet villages to crowded towns and through the urban streets of Beijing in search of a better way of life, they are forced to confront the past and break the chains of tradition, especially those forced on women.
Raw and revealing, Karoline Kan offers gripping tales of her grandmother, who struggled to make a way for her family during the Great Famine; of her mother, who defied the One-Child Policy by giving birth to Karoline; of her cousin, a shoe factory worker scraping by on 6 yuan (88 cents) per hour; and of herself, as an ambitious millennial striving to find a job--and true love--during a time rife with bewildering social change.

Under Red Skies is an engaging eyewitness account and Karoline's quest to understand the rapidly evolving, shifting sands of China. It is the first English-language memoir from a Chinese millennial to be published in America, and a fascinating portrait of an otherwise-hidden world, written from the perspective of those who live there.

 

作者簡介

Karoline Kan is a former New York Times reporter who writes about millennial life and politics in China. She’s currently an editor at China Dialogue. She lives in Beijing.

 

詳細資料

  • ISBN:9780316412049
  • 規格:精裝 / 320頁 / 21.1 x 14.7 x 3 cm / 普通級
  • 出版地:美國

會員評鑑

5
1人評分
|
1則書評
|
立即評分
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Lv.10
5.0
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2019/05/26

I am a reader from Taiwan, and find this book particularly insightful. I am almost the same age as the author. Therefore, I think her descriptions are very useful for readers, especially Western readers, to understand contemporary China. China has undergone one of the most rapid transformation in human's history during the last few decades. The cultural, economic, political, and almost everything change so fast that full comprehension is sometimes not possible. Taiwan is also part of the intricate Chinese history which is still ongoing. If you know the 'interesting' relationship between China and Taiwan, you may think Taiwanese understand China more than other countries. However, it's actually not the case. Many people I know have little understanding about China as well. It's sad to see how people are manipulated by political parties here.

Let's turn the attention back to this book. As someone also from Chinese cultural community, I learn much new knowledge from the book. In the past few years, I have read books by prominent China observers such as Peter Hessler, Evan Osnos, Ian Johnson, Michael Meyer, and many more. They all give me great insights on 21st century China. Nonetheless, they are foreigners after all. It's a bit like comparisons between first or second hand experiences. A Chinese tells a Chinese story. Sounds more down-to-earth, right? That's why I highly recommend the book to everyone interested in China.

Author Karoline is a nice story-teller. She intimately weaves personal experience and national memories together. Her prose is beautiful and clear. Though I think her writing cater to Western readers to some extent, her stories are representative of common people in today's China. Forget about the corrupt officials and lavishly spoiled little emperors. The news from international mainstream media outlets only make China's image more obscure. I mean yes, Huawei, President Xi, Jack Ma... they are all integral parts of China, but understanding a country from the bottom up is more essential. At least it's my way to learn about other countries.

Say, if I learn about the USA based solely on what Trump tweeted, I would think how arrogant this nation is. On contrary, if I learn about the USA by reading 'Travels with Charley' by Steinbeck or 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac, I would say they greatly complement what the macro-descriptions lack. The US is not a monotonous country. There are great varieties from state to state. What happened in the 1960s? What is the so-called Beat Generation? Historical events ripple through generations. What happened in the past shapes the status quo. Personally, I hope China and the US could have more mutual understanding. As the two great powers, misunderstanding seems to dominate current interactions.

'Under red Skies' fills the gap. The story line lasts over three generations. It begins approximately at the time when the Communist Party took over China in 1949. Karoline's grandparents were the most tragic generation that lived through one of the most tumultuous times in modern China. They encountered events like The Cultural Revolution and The Great Famine, etc. The ordeal was so strong that it made Chinese people felt insecure all the time. Even after China's opening door to the world in 1978, this kind of mind-set persists to this day. The economic reforms paved the way for China's meteoric ascent to become an economic powerhouse. However, institutional deficiency still made common people's life not so easy. Karoline's parents' generation worked hard to give their children better lives. It's Karoline's generation that enjoys some privileges and freedoms. Finally, young people may pursue and realize their dreams. It's been a long journey, and many more challenges wait ahead for Chinese millennials. Karoline's family and personal stories are inspiring and encouraging. She is a brave person.

In summary, this book is a great read for everyone interested in China. Personally, it makes me understand my 'counterparts' better. Apart from the Chinese elements, readers could easily take it as a memoir of an aspiring young lady. Her growth stories are truly immersive. Wish her best lucks hereafter.

Rating: 5 stars.
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