The Lily Theatre

I'm still reeling after reading this book about a young girl's experience of the Cultural Revolution. Unlike the commonly held view that Mao's revolution was about turning the unfair class structure on its head, Wang reveals that it was more firmly in place than ever despite accusations of "class enemy" and its condemnation of "bourgeois culture".On top of which, the book is fun to read, with Chinese flair and shockingly outspoken, arresting language. If this was indeed translated from Dutch and not Chinese, my hat goes off to the translator for putting it in such a form that you are constantly reminded that you are in China, not the Occident.Even though I found the ending just a little over the top, it did not detract for me from a very good read, almost as informative,in my opinion, though from a slightly different perspective, as Wild Swans.

I read about this book in the NY Times Book Review section and it intrigued me because I loved Wild Swans by Jung Chang. This is a different view of growing up under the cultural revolution, emphasizing the class system that Mao was trying to dismantle but which seems to have survived despite his efforts to raise up the peasants and suppress the intellectuals. The book is very affecting, its young heroine (the only child in a reeducation camp for top intellectuals) does not seem to be able to adapt to the cruelty around her, and for this reason finds herself at odds with her country's culture. It's also funny in places. I found it highly worth reading.

The life the book describes is shocking. The political pressure and discrimination. The pursuation and brainwashing of intellectuals. The complete disregard of human life. But still Lian, the maincharacter can find the little joys in her life, and friends. She looks through the politics and sees China as it really was in the seventies.

the lily theatre is a really good book about life in China. It's easy to read and very moving.

The lily theatre is a really good book about life in China.It's easy to read and very moving