Helpful Score: 1
Before I begin, I would like to explain a few things... I have grown up under the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia, and even though the transition to communism was over by the time I came to be, the regime was no less strict about its control of the masses. My parents never discussed politics at home so it was some time before I realized that my father's stubborn refusal to join the party and ties to people in the west marked my whole family as 'tainted by the imperialist dogs of the west and enemies of the people'. My personal crime (at 8 years of age) in the eyes of the people was my failure to join the pioneers (like scouts club for kids) This shortcoming was seen as a serious taint. No one was willing to believe that the 8 pages long pledge, which had to be flawlessly recited from memory was the problem. So I had been assigned pre-class correction. Which if one is lucky meant tutoring by bright members of the Party's youth leaders before the classes started (daily 6-8AM), or if one was unlucky it meant bullying, shaming and self criticism. I was rarely lucky. So by 9 years of age I learned how to navigate safely in the highly charged political climate at school with Father's not so helpful interference. My Brother joined me in the shame club for 'challenged' students after he clapped one extra time after the president's Husak annual speech on the school radio. He was 10, honor student, and leader in his class and ended up with permanent record of mocking the great leader, that could have one day prevent him from applying for the profession of his dreams. Our punishment was labour... collecting and drying medicinal plants, and surrendering them to our school which in turn sent them to the factories manufacturing medicine. If any of you think of dry herbs say in your tea-bag, think how many you need to pick, to collect 20lb of the stuff... dried.
I'm not writing this to compete with 'Wu' or to gain your sympathy. I want to establish reference point for those of you reading my review. As I said in the title I love the book, the writing, the accuracy of the events, places and political turmoil described with fantastic detail.
The issue I do have with this book, is that I had my political shake up at 8, my shy brother at 10. I know my 'minder' a girl whose father was a catholic priest and her mother was a Professor kicked out of Charles University (think Harvard) for marring a priest (communists are atheists) was raised with knowing her place on the socialist ladder. How is it that Wu/Harry have managed to be so ignorant as to cut the branch he was sitting on when he was ...21! He was well past the age of naiveté to recognize and analyze the danger he was facing. His stubborn refusal to join the party and give small criticism of his failings as a capitalist and save his family from further scrutiny. Also separating him self from group works (which were considered the foundation of ones moral education outside family and school...) was to cut off any possibility for decent job placement, and future pay. To not just generally criticize abstract failings of the party, but pass judgment on party politics so publicly and with high party officials present. And who would in his/her right mind verbally attack his/her minder accusing her of violating his rights when it is obvious the minder is not a person but the extended arm of the party ready to flex its muscles.
He committed political suicide not once or twice, but hundred times every day. His naiveté has cost not just him but his extended family their lives. Just for example.... My great uncle emigrated to west Germany. My parents, uncles, cousins, siblings and I were all banned from higher education. We were also banned from jobs where we could taint others with our capitalist/imperialist thoughts. To be accepted in his third choice dream job (steel/metal worker) my brother had to attend political classes, and dissociate him self from the taint of my uncle. My cousin passed the complex university tests as only one of only 35 accepted students but was belatedly turned down based on her unsuitable political profile. This is what was called collective punishment. You were minded by your family and you were minding them. One of you slips, ALL of you pay. 'Wu' does not speak much of his family's hardships, based on the reprisals in the form of the party's 'collective punishment policy'.
Over all this is fascinating story, told in an amazing detail, that everyone should read. But having said that, I also need to say, even if that sounds a little harsh, that I find Wu to be presented as a bit of simpleminded fool for almost 1/3 of the book, and largely responsible for being arrested as a couter-revolutionary rightist. I just do not understand how is it that he could live in a complete political ignorance for 7 years before getting arrested. Especially since he have been the victim much of the 7 years and jet he still remained politically ignorant to a point of self destruction. I think he must have made a conscious choice to disassociate him self from the party (and consequently be seen as snubbing the People's party) and either refused to acknowledge or was willing to pay the price. But then he did know he could be shot for deserting to Hong Kong so I'm assuming he knew the risks. He should have been able to see, to understand, that the party could be defied, but not for long and never without reprisals.
I would also recommend the RED SCARF GIRL. It is written in a simple narrative of a young politicaly ignorant girl (whose parents were landlords), growing up during the revolution. Her account is truly well described and heart felt like Wu's Bitter Winds, but suitable for kids/teens as well.
I'm not writing this to compete with 'Wu' or to gain your sympathy. I want to establish reference point for those of you reading my review. As I said in the title I love the book, the writing, the accuracy of the events, places and political turmoil described with fantastic detail.
The issue I do have with this book, is that I had my political shake up at 8, my shy brother at 10. I know my 'minder' a girl whose father was a catholic priest and her mother was a Professor kicked out of Charles University (think Harvard) for marring a priest (communists are atheists) was raised with knowing her place on the socialist ladder. How is it that Wu/Harry have managed to be so ignorant as to cut the branch he was sitting on when he was ...21! He was well past the age of naiveté to recognize and analyze the danger he was facing. His stubborn refusal to join the party and give small criticism of his failings as a capitalist and save his family from further scrutiny. Also separating him self from group works (which were considered the foundation of ones moral education outside family and school...) was to cut off any possibility for decent job placement, and future pay. To not just generally criticize abstract failings of the party, but pass judgment on party politics so publicly and with high party officials present. And who would in his/her right mind verbally attack his/her minder accusing her of violating his rights when it is obvious the minder is not a person but the extended arm of the party ready to flex its muscles.
He committed political suicide not once or twice, but hundred times every day. His naiveté has cost not just him but his extended family their lives. Just for example.... My great uncle emigrated to west Germany. My parents, uncles, cousins, siblings and I were all banned from higher education. We were also banned from jobs where we could taint others with our capitalist/imperialist thoughts. To be accepted in his third choice dream job (steel/metal worker) my brother had to attend political classes, and dissociate him self from the taint of my uncle. My cousin passed the complex university tests as only one of only 35 accepted students but was belatedly turned down based on her unsuitable political profile. This is what was called collective punishment. You were minded by your family and you were minding them. One of you slips, ALL of you pay. 'Wu' does not speak much of his family's hardships, based on the reprisals in the form of the party's 'collective punishment policy'.
Over all this is fascinating story, told in an amazing detail, that everyone should read. But having said that, I also need to say, even if that sounds a little harsh, that I find Wu to be presented as a bit of simpleminded fool for almost 1/3 of the book, and largely responsible for being arrested as a couter-revolutionary rightist. I just do not understand how is it that he could live in a complete political ignorance for 7 years before getting arrested. Especially since he have been the victim much of the 7 years and jet he still remained politically ignorant to a point of self destruction. I think he must have made a conscious choice to disassociate him self from the party (and consequently be seen as snubbing the People's party) and either refused to acknowledge or was willing to pay the price. But then he did know he could be shot for deserting to Hong Kong so I'm assuming he knew the risks. He should have been able to see, to understand, that the party could be defied, but not for long and never without reprisals.
I would also recommend the RED SCARF GIRL. It is written in a simple narrative of a young politicaly ignorant girl (whose parents were landlords), growing up during the revolution. Her account is truly well described and heart felt like Wu's Bitter Winds, but suitable for kids/teens as well.
