Gang of One: Memoirs of a Red Guard

American Lives

by Fan Shen

In 1966 twelve-year-old Fan Shen, a newly minted Red Guard, plunged happily into China’s Cultural Revolution. Disillusion soon followed, then turned to disgust and fear when Shen discovered that his compatriots had tortured and murdered a doctor whose house he’d helped raid and whose beautiful daughter he secretly adored. A story of coming of age in the midst of monumental historical upheaval, Shen’s Gang of One is more than a memoir of one young man’s harrowing experience during a time of terror. It is also, in spite of circumstances of remarkable grimness and injustice, an unlikely picaresque tale of adventure full of courage, cunning, wit, tenacity, resourcefulness, and sheer luck—the story of how Shen managed to scheme his way through a hugely oppressive system and emerge triumphant. Gang of One recounts how Shen escaped, again and again, from his appointed fate, as when he somehow found himself a doctor at sixteen and even, miraculously, saved a few lives. In such volatile times, however, good luck could quickly turn to a transfer to the East Wind Aircraft Factory got him out of the countryside and into another terrible trap, where many people were driven to suicide; his secret self-education took him from the factory to college, where friendship with an American teacher earned him the wrath of the secret police. Following a path strewn with perils and pitfalls, twists and surprises worthy of Dickens, Shen’s story is ultimately an exuberant human comedy unlike any other.

Genres: China, Nonfiction, History, Biography, Memoir, Asia, Autobiography

282 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[Karina Padureanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am citit-o pe nerasuflate.
Fara a avea o scriitura remarcabila, dar relatata cursiv si coerent, povestea de viata a lui Fan Shen m-a impresionat tare, o lupta continua pentru a-si realiza visul, pentru a trai asa cum isi dorea, infruntand piedici aparent imposibil de trecut ale regimului dictatorial din China, in perioada lui Mao si dupa. Nu s-a lasat calcat in picioare, a crezut in libertate si a stiut cum sa pacaleasca sistemul. Si a avut tot dreptul sa foloseasca mijloace viclene pentru a jongla cu cei care manipulau vieti si calcau in picioare demnitatea umana.
Incredibil inca si mereu ce forta malefica sunt aceste regimuri opresive ! ☹

[Titi Coolda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dacă n-aș fi știut că citesc memorialistică aș fi zis c-am dat peste o distopie care combină armonios Poveste slujitoarei cu Fahrenheit 451 din 1984. Dar nu. Sunt amintirile unui copil/tânăr din epoca Marelui Cârmaci, "revoluționarul cultural" al Chinei, Mao Zedong pe-al său nume. O recomand tuturor celor care mai au nostalgii față de vremurile roșii sau a celor mai tineri care trăiesc cu miturile și legendele comunismului. O carte foarte bine scrisă, cu ritm susținut, un page turner, cu mult umor, grotesc pe-alocuri dar tragică în esență.

[Andrei Cioată · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memorabilă carte! Scrisă asemănător unui roman, cu o voce narativă aparte, cu o efervescență stilistică neașteptată; în același timp, un document istoric viabil și convingător! Recomand cu mare drag!

[Charles Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary story and enjoyable reading. Fan Shen had a true revolutionary spirit that he turned against the subjugation and persecution of the Cultural Revolution in China. He succeeded where many of his friends and tormentors failed. Story ends in January 1985, begs an epilogue (at least) be written to know what has happened to author in the last 30 years. CSB

[toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

“De unul singur” și cu toate acestea, o voce a unei lumi întregi. O perspectivă atât de clară și, în același timp, colorată de trăiri ce ating limita ficțiunii, dar se amintește câtă suferință a răsărit din ele. Dintr-un punct de vedere literar, narațiunea este o forță și o luptă anti-sistem în sine, pură și fascinantă. Astfel, vedem cum Fan Shen a avut o ambiție arzătoare într-o lume în care pământul îi scăpa de sub picioare, confruntându-se cu un sistem rigid, metalic, în care a putut să observe așchii și crăpături, toate generând lacrimile libertății.

[Monza · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been over 9 years since I read this book. I remember I started with a chapter a day before bed. And by the third or fourth nights I couldn't stop reading it and ended up finishing the whole book. It was the morning then when I finished it and I was full of emotion and tears. It is still the best book I have read since.

Gang of One reminded me of what hard work and dedication and persistence are, which I think I forgot after years working for a big corporation. This book is about survival: when you cannot change the environment, what can you do to find a better future for yourself. This book is an inspiring story about a person's struggle to free himself from a dark side of human nature and a dark time/place in human history.

I was surprised to see some reviews skeptical about Dr. Shen's recount of events or saying that his actions were selfish and self centered. But then I could see a few reasons why so. I think I believe his story because I have read a few memoirs about different people's struggles during the cultural revolution, and their recounts of how it's like at that time are very similar. And also I came from Hong Kong. So I grew up in a culture similar enough to China to know how things work there. However, I do also see other non-Chinese who have no problem understanding the beauty of the story and the strength of this gang of one.

I was fortunate to have met Dr. Shen in person when I was still living in Rochester MN. He gave a workshop about book publishing and I vividly remember him telling us that what sells a book is not marketing but a real good book. It is about editing and editing and editing and rewriting and editing and rewriting... He is just like what I saw in the book - hardworking, dedicated, and persistent to what he believes.

Maybe this book will change you too.

[David Marxer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I've read a seemingly mountian of books, both fiction and non-fiction, about the Cultural and post Cultural Revolutionary China this was the best! This memoir is so filled with humor, tragedy, silliness and deadly seriousness of coming of age in the midst of historical upheaval that it's sometimes difficult to believe it's not fiction. Every stage of the author's journey is first hopefull for the promise of escape to a better life, then the realization that he only escaped to another, different trap...With the author's seemingly never ending battles with bureaucrats and the novel way of dealing with them to the humor of everyday people just trying to get by, the book is a gem that was hard to put down...

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelent de tragică. China lui Mao și China după Mao. China cu bucurii, tragedii, torturi, speranțe, ambiție, iubire și dorință de libertate. Povestea lui Fan Shen curge lin, dar este presărată cu multe, foarte multe, momente grele, așa era și viața în timpul Revoluției Culturale. O viață în care nimic nu era sigur, în care fiecare zi era un mers atent pe sârmă, iar ,,marele cârmaci’’ trebuia să ocupe cel mai important loc în mintea și sufletul omului. Cuvintele sunt de prisos, nu își au rostul, o carte care merită, chiar trebuie, citită de toată lumea.

,,După colț, am văzut imaginea spectaculoasă din mijlocul terenului de fotbal: o grămadă uriașă de cărți înaltă aproape cât o clădire de două etaje cuprinsă de flăcări și scânteile ce dansau și se răsuceau spre cer.’’

Pag. 17

,,Mai întâi revoluționară, apoi mamă’’

Pag. 23

,,Nu era nici căldură, nici neliniște protectoare, nici urmă de simpatie în vocea lui. Tonul îmi spunea că trăsese o linie între noi: dacă exista probabilitatea să fi comis greșeli, era gata să mă predea autorităților, să mă renege și chiar să mă condamne.[…]Așa ar fi procedat multe dintre familiile revoluționare chineze.’’

Pag. 232

,,Luptă cu ei, nu-ți fie milă de ticăloșii din partid, nu-s oameni.’’

Pag. 319

4.5/5

[AliG · Rating 5 out of 5]

O carte care mi-a amintit de copilărie, de comunism, deși ca nu am trăit nici pe departe experiențele lui Fan Shen. Dar acel spirit, îl întâlnim încă chiar și astăzi dar în “haine noi”. O carte dură, dar atat de reală.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone interested in twentieth-century Chinese culture and history, this read is, I believe, essential. A story of a Chinese man who moved to the USA after experiencing some of the most chaotic historical events in this century (for example the Cultural Revolution), in China, this story does not just depict the suffering of many but also the courage, luck and ability of many individuals to manouevre themselves through a period of great uncertainty. This book holds wider importance as a piece of fascinating historical non-fiction, a story into the events in a country we still, outside of China, know very little about, and will undeniably never understand the full story.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memorable.

[Abdullah Almuslem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure whether to believe everything I read or not…

This is another book (a personal autobiography) about a Chinese citizen who lived through the Cultural Revolution, first embracing it and then hating it. The author (Fan Shen) was born to parents who were lifelong communist revolutionaries. They named their son Fan, meaning "ordinary" in Chinese, signifying that he was just one of millions of working people. Fan lived through the Cultural Revolution, burning books, including his own and his father’s. Fan’s rebellion against the Cultural Revolution began with reading books. However, like millions of other youths, he was exiled to a remote village to work as a peasant. There, he learned to work and eventually became a "barefoot doctor." His medical training was minimal, based on the party slogan that a "Red Heart" was more important than skill.

Fan eventually secured a job at a factory, escaping the remote area of the countryside. There, he spent his time in self-improvement inspired by a biography of Soviet aircraft designer Yakovlev. He began a rigorous plan of self-education to become an engineer. He studied by candlelight during power outages and used extreme measures to stay awake, such as stabbing his thigh, leaving permanent scars. During this period, he encountered a girl (who would later become his wife) who introduced him to Machiavelli’s book The Prince, as well as Nietzsche and other philosophical books. Eventually, he went to university after passing the tests and escaping the factory after six years of intense self-study.

He majored in English and began writing novels. Fan immigrated to the United States in January 1985, earning a Master degree and a Ph.D. within five years. Today, he is a professor in Minnesota.

This is the story of the book. Not sure what to make of it. There was too much discussion about how the Cultural Revolution is bad and how the Communist Party is evil and the like. Yet, it is a good window on how China changed in the last 60 years. Overall, I liked Out of the Gobi by Weijian Shan much more than this book!

[Colin Stepney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good storytelling. I would dispute just about every single claim in the book, and I believe it should be read much more as a historical fiction than a memoir. Too many happy coincidences and "right place, right time" occurrences. In the end, it is very educational, but I was just about ignoring his character by the end because of how absurdly fictional feeling it was. If he had evidence to prop any of it up, I would believe it, but it's a great way to learn about the last fifty years of China.

[Maren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended by Jay Nordlinger of National Review fame. Because he is one of my favorite columnists with vast knowledge of human rights I took him at his word that this was an incredible story of survival in communist China under the Red Guard. Fan Shen tells his own story of survival and triumph of his desire for freedom. This book is, without a doubt, one of the best books I've ever read.

[Shana Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in Korean translation. I think it is a very great book to read if you want to learn more about the Chinese and the modern history of China. The writer wrote it with his own experience and it's very real. This is a hidden treasure. Please read.. otherwise you would regret. I took 15 minutes to find its English title, his name in English to just make a review on it .. just because I really want others to have the chance to read it.

[Michelle Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a few years ago in college. Fan Shen was my professor and had the class read the book. Not knowing much about Chinese culture/revolution at all I remember this book being very enlightening and educational! Glad to have had the opportunity to know the author and read it. Great respect here!

[Calvin]

This book as in the summary talks about his experience as a red guard during the cultural revolution going around China in the 1960's. At the start of the book it talks about him growing up here. He talks about seeing parts of violence go around the country. But never seen them as off. Since this was normal around this time. He then goes into the main part of the story. His life as a red guard. At first he was initially happy with his life, as he got plenty of food, recognition, and lived a good life. But this was quickly changed when the house who had a daughter who he liked. Had their father tortrued and murdered for speaking against Mao. Shortly afterwards he notices problems with this system. noticing the constant questioning by upper red gaud officials, mass killings of those who disagree. Such as his friend who went by Fountain Pen. Who was killed for speaking against Maoism and its policies. He attempts bit by bit to try to escape this country for the west. With methods including those of air travel and an escape to Taiwan. But the party would notice his efforts and send him west towards the east wing aircraft factory. A factory made for the government for all their air needs. In the factory the failures of the government system are only more noted. With people dying each day whether it's off starvation or of suicide thanks to the conditions they must live in. While in this factory he teaches himself very needed skills. He uses his already existing health skills he needed to learn as a red guard to learn more about doctor things and alike. He learns other skills such as to speak English well enough so he can pass in the USA. Through all of this when he was done with his sentence to this factory. The first thing he did was enroll in a college to be able to get the education on how to get out of here. He goes to a college in Tianjin. In which he studies more of his degree in health. But while there he meets with a teacher known as Perkin. Perkins tells him of the US and ways to get out. But the red guards would take note of this. And would try their hardest to separate them. Whether that is through separating them in classes or through more physical things such as making sure they don't see each other through lacing Shen's food. But after 2 years in Tianjin and another 2 in Tanggu. He completes his degree. With enough money to to get a flight to the US and live a stable life. With the help of Perkins. He gets the flight to San Francesco. While on the way there, he reflects on his life in China. Of all the good things that have happened to him. But how happy his new life in the US will make him.

Overall this was a great book. It offered a great insight to life during the mid cultural revolution and his own escape from it all. Would recommend if your interested in this autobiography storytelling stuff

[Anson Cassel Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir is simply great story telling, a Chinese Horatio Alger tale where pluck and luck win out in the end. (Shen admits his admiration for Stendal’s The Red and the Black and Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography, but it would be ungracious to push the analogies too closely.) For some reason Chinese culture permits a more casual, even humorous, treatment of the inhumanity and stupidity of the man-centered ideological system profiled here. If Shen’s memoir doesn’t have the moral weight of, say, something by Solzhenitsyn, it’s at least more enjoyable reading. Hats off to Shen, who (like Jacob Riis at the beginning of the twentieth century) can write so vigorously in a second language!

[Laurence · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding memoir of the Chinese Cultural Revolution and sadly relevant to America today under Biden. I first learned about this book from Col. Lohmeier’s expose of Communist influences in the US military when he cited it as an example of what lies ahead for the USA unless the current situation is turned around quickly. I see why he mentioned this book, which reads like a novel...I couldn’t stop until I got to the end. Fan Shen was lucky he could escape to America..but where can Americans go?

[SMaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It is very well written, easy to read, easy to empathise with the main character and gave me a perspective about the revolution in China.
I gave it 4 stars because the title created other expectations for me. The author was barely a member of the red guards and although he did some despicable actions none were at the level that the introduction implied.

[Kimmyshin · Rating 5 out of 5]

despite the weight of the story, it was such an easy read following the eyes of Fan Shen.
I am at awe at the story of his life. Hope newer generation of other Asian countries can have a voice like this.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not much of a memoir guy, but this was so worthwhile. Fan Shen’s story was fascinating - intensely sad and eye-opening - but also quite motivating. His life is a testament to the human will and spirit, and I’ll be recommending this to anyone who needs that kick in the pants.

[Julie Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating real story! We are so blessed to live here. Got to meet the author, he’s a humble man.

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, amazing life and determination in a terrible time.

[torque · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's like reading fiction. It's hard to believe this was people's reality.

[Pernes Arin · Rating 5 out of 5]

O carte care te tine n priza

[Alex Sola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe it can be better written, but I found the story super interesting and insightful. I really liked how Fan goes through the story, how he faced adversities and the details he added.

[Agui · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredible story of persistence. Crazy to read the conditions in which people grow up in the Communist China. Very glad I read the book and learned about the author’s story.

[Cristina Cuconasu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foarte fain scrisa în ciuda dramatismului poveștii reale. Curge pur și simplu, și e impresionanta că experiențe dramatice, dar și că rezilienta din partea autorului. Recomand oricând.

[Julie Curwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting. Should be mandatory reading for every college student who thinks Marxism/Maoism seems like a good idea.