Da Chen's memoir describes his boyhood and adolescence during and after China's Cultural Revolution in the 1960's and 70's. It is a book about growing up in a heated political environment, and keeping hope alive.

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If you are interested in Communist rule, or China, or Mao, this book provides a first hand account of the struggles of the peasantry under Mao's rule. Really touching book. I dig it, but I'm also a China-file, so I am definitely biased.

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This guy was born the same year I was. What a different life we lived! You find yourself really rooting for this guy.

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Excellent memoir! I read "Brothers"--Da Chen's novel and loved it so much I wanted to read his memoir. He's a great storyteller.

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great book by the man who grew up as an outcast in China during the Cultural Revolution, and how he persevered and overcame great odds to gain the opportunity to go to college. Written with pathos and humor.

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Wonderful read. An engrossing book. Chens family belongs to the despised landlord class, as he grows up Chen remembers his father and grandfather routinely beaten and sent to the labor camps. Rich with the scent of rural life, catching frogs, working the rice fields, feasting on oysters and fried peanuts. This book is an exhilarating account of sucess in the life of adversity. Not one moment wasted reading this novel.

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Such a pleasure to read! One of my favorite books set during the Cultural Revolution I have read so far!

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