Anybody read the book Red Azalea by Anchee Min?

Question

I chose to read if for a Society And Self Class and am wondering if anyone can collaborate on its contents to give me a spark of enthusiasm about reading it!

Answer 1

well i don't think i could tell you anthing about it that you can't read on the back cover. it's about Mao and communist China and the effects on the people; it's a kind of rough, working class version. Red Azalea, if i remember correctly, is the name of an "opera" created during those times. Mao's wife promoted a certain sort of "opera" or theater at that time, in replacement of more "intellectual" opera and theater. it was part of the communist program. anyway, enjoy. it's a fairly uncomplicated read, but somewhat disturbing.

Answer 2

You can perhaps also read Wild Swans by another Chinese woman Jung Chang. Its an autobiographical work running through the lives of three women - the grandmother, mother and the daughter. It is set in the same time period as Red Azalea. But is quite a contrast in many ways. So a comparitive reading might tell u how the Cultural Revolution that revamped the lives of many chinese men and women influenced different people in different ways. For me Red Azalea was more vibrant, full of life and yet disturbing.