A Small Town Called Hibiscus

I had to read this book for a college course in Modern China in Fiction and I thought it was really well crafted! I read it over the weekend, so it was pretty easy to follow. Some of the characters seemed to have the same names, so I wrote a "character analysis" chart that I kept referring to. This novel was definitely applicable to the class, otherwise I don't know if I would've read it for "fun." A Small Town is reflective of anti-rightest movement to the cultural revolution and how it affected the relationship of the town, government, and specific people. Although, you might have to research 20th century China a little more, the characters and situations were really well developed and resolved; it was a plausible novel and will remain on my bookshelf!

Although not his best book (World HIstory Accourding to the Basque; novel - Bugaloo on 2nd Avenue) it is much better than his worse (Salt). Very important 9th Chapter about how the environmentalists really rely on weak science without taking either the whole ecological system into account or the rights of fishermen. The story of Glouster itself is interesting if a little over detailed. I recommend it.

This book is well known in China. It MAY be available directly from China. It tells the important story about how the changes in government policy impinge upon the lives of the people and espeically one woman who owns an inn. She has a special recipe for noodles; she sells the noodles and becomes wealthy under capitalism. BUT, capitalism becomes a CRIME after the communists take over. She is brought to trial as an ENEMY of the PEOPLE. Convicted, all her possessions are confiscated; she survives as a street sweeper in the town. After 20 years of suffering, the government policy changes to favor capitalism and entrepreneurship. She is reinstated but only after 20 years of hardship. It is a moving and important story. Email me if you wish to discuss this book. Thanks.

This is a very moving and well written book about the struggle of a young couple/woman to survive in a society which fights individualism and being different.