This slim novel tells the tale of two teenage boys sent from the city to a Chinese mountain village to be re-educated by peasants in the time of Chairman Mao. The boys embark on several adventures which lead them to the beautiful tailor's daughter known as the Little Seamstress and to a secret suitcase filled with Western novels.
Dai Sijie examines the dichotomous societies of this period in Chinese history, a village of workers who know nothing of books or music or learning but are revered by the government and the city boys, educated and interested but outcast for their father's deeds. Sijie looks at the love of knowledge and beauty and the insatiable thirst of a parched mind for more of everything.
The story was too short, beautifully simple and very thought-provoking. I haven't read a novel that inspired me to read more in a long time and this one certainly did.
Dai Sijie examines the dichotomous societies of this period in Chinese history, a village of workers who know nothing of books or music or learning but are revered by the government and the city boys, educated and interested but outcast for their father's deeds. Sijie looks at the love of knowledge and beauty and the insatiable thirst of a parched mind for more of everything.
The story was too short, beautifully simple and very thought-provoking. I haven't read a novel that inspired me to read more in a long time and this one certainly did.
No comments:
Post a Comment