Books/movies set in China
Dec 28th, 2001, 08:48 PM
#21
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In april I go to China, (si Dios Quiere!) so in preparation I have been doing much reading! Most<BR>of these titles I did get off this board and this is what I think. Now remember this is only MY<BR>opinion....so no flames please. I only want to read and prepare so I will be a somewhat<BR>intellegent visitor. <BR> <BR> Wild Swans Jung Chang If you can read only one book before you go this should be it.<BR>Good history of China and a quick and interesting read.<BR> <BR> The Soong Dynasty Sterling Seagrave Also excellent for a good history of how the rulers<BR>of the revolution rose to power. Easy to read and full of good gossip! He also has a 2nd book<BR>on the last Dowager Empress that is also excellent and gives new insight to her. <BR><BR> Everything by Amy Tan.....read them all......good fiction, good writing and history.<BR><BR> Spring Moon & Middle Hearts Betty Bao Lord......I already forget what they were<BR>about..sigh!..but I know I enjoyed Spring Moon more.<BR><BR> A Certain Smile..romance modern and I thought rather silly<BR><BR> The Language of the Threads & Women of the Silk Gail Tsukiyama Both excellent books<BR>and gave good insight into the women of the silkworms and what that kind of life is like. <BR><BR> An Empire of Women...could not get into sorry!!! <BR><BR> The Judge Dee Mysteries Robert Hans VanGulik fun mysteries, ancient China and he is<BR>rather like an oriental Sherlock Holmes. Read about 6 of them, out of order but still enjoyed<BR>them. <BR><BR> Falling Leaves, The story of an unwanted Daughter Adeline Yen Mah Good story but<BR>something rang untrue to me...have no reason why? <BR> <BR> A Single Pebble John Hershey Novella....and poetic account of the men who used to pull the<BR>boats up the Yangtze<BR><BR> Rape of Nanking Nicholas Kristof checked it out....and did try to read it. But the pictures<BR>were so gruesome I just decided I didnt want to know all the details. It was a horrid event....that I<BR>know.....and that is enuff to know for me!<BR><BR> A Woman Warrior ??? could not get into<BR><BR> The Good Earth Trilogy The good Earth, Sons & House Divided. As the story progressed I<BR>lost interest and ended up scanning the last book. But still....the style of the first should be read<BR>and appreciated I think Also by PS Buck: Imperial Woman about the last Dowager<BR>Queen.....read it first then read the Seagrave book for more truth than fiction! Pavillion of<BR>Women ....again....glad to see the end I do like PS Buck....really I do!!!<BR><BR> Tai Pan & Noble House James Clavell......Enjoyed Tai Pan..did not finish Noble<BR>House.....liked the history more I guess. <BR><BR> In China w/ Harpo and Karl Sibyl James Fun novella of a teachers year in Shanghai <BR><BR>Still have a huge list to read and will continue. I find most the stuff Im reading sad and gray in<BR>tone. But I have developed such an appreciation for China and what the country has been thru<BR>w/ their history. Much of it is tragic to this westener!!!.......now to travel there and appreciate<BR>what is! <BR><BR>Also have read and made notes on what I”ll be seeing from Foders, Lets go China and Small<BR>Planet. <BR><BR>Ok...just wanted to report back as to what I have discovered and read....so far!<BR><BR>
Jul 6th, 2002, 07:30 PM
#24
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So glad to see this thread pop up again. I did my trip....and can only say that I'm soooo glad I did all the reading I did. I was so much smarter! I just seemed to have a greater appreciation of what I was seeing. I always read like this...but for China it just seemed like a greater return.<BR><BR>I also watched every single movie made in China I could get my hands on.....and loved them all. They are making some excellent films I think.<BR><BR>OK Dave!...."To Live" Got it and will see if its at the video stores!!! Thanks!!! <BR><BR>
Jul 7th, 2002, 07:01 PM
#26
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I know I sounded like a commercial but I really did love my trip. We talked before about Uniworld right? I debated long and hard between them and PD....but was very happy w/ my choice. We had only 9 on our tour, and that was fun cause we could dart and move so quickly. I did see a Uniworld Bus along the way...and thought..hey that coulda been me!!! <BR><BR>Now I"m going to search out your post if I can find it.....I must say by the time we got to HK I dont think I appreciated it the way I should have....I really was homesick for mainland China and the peace I found there!!! Great trip!!!
Jul 8th, 2002, 05:40 AM
#27
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We just watched "China, A Century of Revolution", the definitive six-hour history of China as seen on Public Television. We purchased the DVD set on the internet and it was a real eye-opener and very interesting with actual news footage, etc. We'll watch it again before our trip to China in October.
Jul 8th, 2002, 09:25 PM
#29
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I just think that when you know some of China's history it makes you more tolerant of how far they have come in a short time. <BR><BR> When our guide in Guilin talked about his time on a work farm as a young student....I KNEW what he was talking about. When I saw the freshly woven straw sandals they still wear I remembered how they wore them on the Long March thru the snow and swamps ...and was amazed how anyone arrived w/ feet still attached. Also as I read and talked to the few Chinese people I know.....I formed opinions and listened to theirs so it was interesting to hear opinions from the locals...sometimes they differed and sometimes they were ever so gracefully glossed over....and sometimes I had to listen between the lines!!!! <BR><BR> There were tons of things like this. I am 58 and consider myself somewhat well read....but I was not familiar w/ the history of China and how much they have suffered, so for me this has been a year of growth on lots of levels. <BR><BR> Now this is just my opinion.......
Jul 9th, 2002, 05:25 AM
#30
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What, no "Crouching Tiger, hidden dragon"? I went to Huangshan and Anhui province last year where some of the scenes of this film was filmed. It was breathtakingly beautiful.<BR><BR>A friend let me a book by Simon Winchester "A river at the centre of the World". I read it while I was doing the Yangtze River. Some fascinating insights by the author. I used it my guide book for the cruise.<BR><BR>Update on films from China:<BR><BR>Suchou River, Beijing Bicycle both films are about life in modern China. Worth watching.
Jul 9th, 2002, 08:10 PM
#31
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Hi Carrie, thanks for the update on China movies......I can see I have a good weekend in store soon!!! Also the book you mentioned is one I did not read...had it on the list...just ran out of time. Should try to read it......but I'll probably start on Greece stuff soon...that is the next travel location for me!
