Books/movies set in China
 

I always like to gear up for a trip by reading books (fiction or non-fiction) and/or watching movies set in the country we are visiting. We are heading to Beijing in October, I have everything booked and the guidebooks purchased and was hoping someone could recommend some good books/movies. I just finished reading "The Good Earth" by Pearl Buck and will probably finish up the trilogy. Thanks for any other suggestions!

I spent a year in China as a student quite some time ago, but I'd like to suggest a couple of things to you. I have found Pearl S. Buck to be pretty starry-eyed or idealistic about, some say an apologist for, the PRC... so to balance out her view you might want to read something like Jean Pasqualini's "Prisoner of Mao" which is about the laogai or labour camps. Just another side of what I found to be a fascinating country, and I love the people and the culture! I also suggest any videos from the "foreign films" section of your local video store that has Gong Li starring in it, e.g. where the director is Zhang Yimou. There are a number of videos in which she stars which I think really portray the Chinese worldview. Hope this helps, and have a great trip!

Kris....you are a person after my own heart. I spend the 6 mo. before I go reading any and all I can about a country. Probably Old Pearl is a bit dated now....but I can't imagine going to China and not reading a lot of her stuff. And I plan to. <BR> <BR>I leave for China, the Yangtze, Bangkok & Singapore next April....so Ive just started my reading w/ "Wild Swans" by Jung Chang. Its a autobio..but fast reading about 3 generations of women from before,during and after the rev. It is amazing and Im glued to it. <BR> <BR>Also check your local libraries catalogue...on line or at the site. Type in where you want to read about and tons of stuff will come up. If your branch does not have the book(s) they will order them for you and for a few pennies you can actually order a book from any lib system in the USA. Its amazing and I have saved $$$$ over the years of my travel!!! <BR> <BR>I have other books listed about China...so as I read I'll try to report back. If you find some thing good let us know..OK??? :) <BR> <BR>Susanne...thanks for your tip....its added to my list!!!! :) Sounds like a neat book..and like you say ....another view!

if you are going to cruise the Yangtze.i would recommand <BR>River town-two years on the Yangtze <BR>by peter hessler <BR>written by an american who spent two years teaching in China <BR>by chinese authors i recommand <BR>falling leaves <BR>by adeline yen mah <BR>a true story of an unwanted chinese daughter <BR>do not leave without reading <BR>Mao Zedong <BR>by jonathan spence <BR>a short bio that will help you understand all the changes that occured in China in the last century <BR>

There was a pretty recent posting about books related to China. I'll try to search for it to bring it to the top for you. In terms of movies I watched 'The Last Emperor" and "Empire of the Sun" (At least I think that is the second title, based on J.G. Ballards book about his experiences in China as a child during WWII). <BR> <BR>

For video - Raise the Red Lanterns. <BR>And for anyone going to the Yunnan area then the book Lost Horizons by ...gee, Ive gone blank..anyone help me out? Its a 1934? Classic where the concept of ShangriLa began.

Thanks for all the suggestions, keep them coming! We are just visiting Beijing on this trip but would like to return maybe next year to visit Shanghai and do a short cruise on the Yantgze River. <BR> <BR>I was thinking about picking up a copy of "Wild Swans" (recommended in the back of the Insight guide) so thanks for the personal recommendation, Leanna. I'll let you know if I pick up anything good.

I just read a very good book about China. Amy Tan, who wrote the Joy Luck Club, has written a wonderful multi-generational novel this year called The Bonesetter's Daughter. <BR> <BR>I recommend it heartily. <BR> <BR>Michael From New York <BR> <BR>

Here is a list of books and some movies that are very good. If you e-mail me I'd be glad to send you more information. <BR> <BR>“Falling Leaves” by Adeline Yen Mah <BR>“One Pebble”/”The Single Pebble” <BR>“The Dream of the Red Chamber” <BR>“Romance of the Three Kingdoms <BR>“Shanghai” <BR>“Red Star Over China” <BR> “Life and Death in Shanghai” Nien Cheng <BR>“The Soong Dynasty” Sterling Seagrove <BR>“Hungry Ghosts” Jasper Becker <BR>“River Town-Two Years on the Yangze” by Peter Kessler <BR>“The Wild Swans” <BR>“Farewell my Concubine” <BR>Life and Death in Shanghai, by Nien Cheng. <BR>'China Wakes' <BR>‘The Rape of Nanking’. It is a powerful book, shocking, depressing, etc. <BR>The Kitchen God by Amy Tan <BR>Spring Moon by Bette Bao Lord <BR>The River at the Centre of the World by Simon Winchester. <BR> <BR> Movies <BR> <BR>“King of the Masks” <BR>“Raise the Red Lantern” <BR>“The Last Emperor” <BR>

The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston <BR> <BR>The World of Suzie Wong by Richard Mason <BR> <BR>Hong Kong by Jan Morris <BR> <BR>Noble House by James Clavell <BR> <BR>

THIS IS FABULOUS!!!! I've copied all these lists etc. THANK YOU!!! I'd talk longer but I have to go read!!! :)

It'd be good if you have China Town near your home, you could hunt many books/videos of from worldwide Chinese communities. Besides, when you are in Beijing or any other major cities in China, you may wish to visit the "Frindship Store" that caters for oversea travellers, or "Foreign Language Bookstore". <BR> <BR>David Leung <BR>Escort Service in Beijing

Ok David..thanks for the tip!! I get up to San Francisco sometimes....I'll look around up there as that is a great China Town. The one in LA is limited to say the least!!! <BR>

Don't miss reading PETER JENKINS' "ACROSS CHINA". Copyright 1986 by Fawcett Crest/Ballantine Books. Jenkins is famous for his walk-across-america. In this book, he is part of the first team to mount Everest from the Tibet side; he then crosses CHINA! A great read!!!

If you would like some light reading, try the novel A Certain Smile by Judith Michaels. I was able to get it at the library.

Right now I am reading Jung Chang's WILD SWANS. It is the story of three generations of women in China from the Manchu Dynasty to the Cultural Revolution. Another interesting book is THE SOONG DYNASTY. It is the biography of the family of Madame Chiang K'ai-shek. Her sisters were Madame Sun Yat-sen and Madame HH Kung. This biography is a real eye-opener. It shows what a greedy, evil witch Madame Chiang K'ai-chek really was......Gong Li is my favorite film actress and she is spectacular in RAISE THE RED LANTERN. This movie depicts the role of women in Chinese society. Other good films about China: NOT ONE LESS; JU DO; RED FIRECRACKER, GREEN FIRE CRACKER; SHANGHAI TRIAD. PS About WILD SWANS: When I was in China last year my guide told me this book was banned by the government. JG

Ok heres my progress report: Wild Swans is amazing...and interesting that it was banned...I can see why. Tried "A Woman Warrior" but could not get into it. Right now Im reading "Spring Moon"...excellent. Also discovered a series of mysteries...The Judge Dee books by Robert Hans Van Gulik....Dee is rather like an ancient chinese Sherlock Holmes and I enjoyed the first book. Have the 2nd here and am almost ready to read it. Slowly I progress thru my list...and now wonder if any one will be going anywhere for the joy of travel and learning and sharing...ever again...sigh!!!

"Tai Pan" and its sequel "Noble House".

Just back from China. Absolutely watch The Last Emperor before visiting The Forbidden City. The tour will make so much more sense to you after seeing the movie. Loved "Two Years of the River" by Peter Hessler. Much insight into the minds of young people of China today.

ttt