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RED POPPIES
A lively and cinematic twentieth-century epic, Red Poppies focuses on the extravagant and brutal reign of a clan of Tibetan warlords during the rise of Chinese Communism. The story is wryly narrated by the chieftain's son, a self-professed "idiot" who reveals the bloody feuds, seductions, secrets, and scheming behind his family's struggles for power. When the chieftain agrees to grow opium poppies with seeds supplied by the Chinese Nationalists in exchange for modern weapons, he draws Tibet into the opium trade -- and unwittingly plants the seeds for a downfall. Red Poppies is at once a political parable and a moving elegy to the lost kingdom of Tibet in all its cruelty, beauty, and romance.
444 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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1014 people want to read
About the author
Alai
21 books27 followersAlai (Chinese: 阿来; pinyin: Ālái; Tibetan: ཨ་ལེ་, Wylie: a-le, ZYPY: Alê, Lhasa dialect IPA: [ɑ́lè]; born 1959 in Sichuan province) is a Chinese poet and novelist of Rgyalrong Tibetan descendent. He was also editor of Science Fiction World.
Alai's notable novel Red Poppies (The Dust Settles - Chen'ai Luoding), published in 1998, follows a family of Tibetan chieftains, the Maichi, during the decade or so before the liberation of Tibet by the People's Liberation Army in 1951. Their feudal life in the Tibetan borderlands, narrated by the youngest "idiot" son, is described as cruel, romantic, and full of intrigue (with the incorporation of Tibet into the People's Republic of China presented as a great advance for the Tibetan peasantry). Red Poppies was selected as a finalist for the Kiriyama Prize in 2002 and won the 5th Mao Dun Literary Prize in 2005.
(from Wikipedia)
Alai's notable novel Red Poppies (The Dust Settles - Chen'ai Luoding), published in 1998, follows a family of Tibetan chieftains, the Maichi, during the decade or so before the liberation of Tibet by the People's Liberation Army in 1951. Their feudal life in the Tibetan borderlands, narrated by the youngest "idiot" son, is described as cruel, romantic, and full of intrigue (with the incorporation of Tibet into the People's Republic of China presented as a great advance for the Tibetan peasantry). Red Poppies was selected as a finalist for the Kiriyama Prize in 2002 and won the 5th Mao Dun Literary Prize in 2005.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
September 8, 2016
This is a novel of Tibet, but not the idealized Western version. There are no mandalas, and what lamas appear are barely disguised shamans. The petty despots who run this land, still feudal in the twentieth century, own slaves and give them away, employ executioners and have maids whose bodies are theirs for the asking. At least until China intervenes, first in its Republican era by introducing machine guns and opium poppies, then by overrunning the place in the form of the People's Army. The narrator describes himself as an idiot, and other characters debate whether he is or not, but idiocy in this case seems to arise from thinking unconventionally. Son of one of the local lords, he is less interested in making war than in creating markets, less interested in starving his enemies than in earning their gratitude by feeding them. He is the only, fleshed-out character; the rest are surface portraits, even when they behave in contradictory ways. It is a sad tale, this one of Tibet's demise, but it almost seems that this Tibetan author thinks that much was lost.
did-not-finish
January 29, 2023Despite my memories of traveling through Tibet and my affinity for the Tibetan people*, I could not finish this book about a feudal warlord prince growing up in 1930s Tibet. My first clue should have been that it was published by the Chinese "People's Literature Publishing House" which struck me as disconcerting since this more than likely means that it's been sanctioned by the Chinese government, who have ruled Tibet and watered down and misrepresented its culture for the past half century or so.
Does this story represent a "typical" and "realistic" view of traditional Tibetan culture? Who knows. Regardless, the writing is stilted and this could be due to the translation or just the author's writing style and/or Chinese language conventions -- but the very idea that a book by a native Tibetan who now lives in China and who writes in Chinese should have been a red flag, as it were, to me as well.
The proletariat PR machine that published this book, made it a "bestseller" and then had it translated are sure good at what they do. How else would this have made it onto a library bookself in Lexington, KY (I bought this from Alibris, which sells castaway library books from around the country).
*Two weeks, a smidgen illegally, backpacking through Tibet in the mid 90s led my friend and I to meet many nice and good-hearted Tibetans. My favorite story is of two Tibetan nuns who offered us (more than a smidgenly illegally) their straw bed and cauliflower soup during a rain storm. In the middle of the night, we heard them up on the roof fixing leaks so that we wouldn't get wet.
Does this story represent a "typical" and "realistic" view of traditional Tibetan culture? Who knows. Regardless, the writing is stilted and this could be due to the translation or just the author's writing style and/or Chinese language conventions -- but the very idea that a book by a native Tibetan who now lives in China and who writes in Chinese should have been a red flag, as it were, to me as well.
The proletariat PR machine that published this book, made it a "bestseller" and then had it translated are sure good at what they do. How else would this have made it onto a library bookself in Lexington, KY (I bought this from Alibris, which sells castaway library books from around the country).
*Two weeks, a smidgen illegally, backpacking through Tibet in the mid 90s led my friend and I to meet many nice and good-hearted Tibetans. My favorite story is of two Tibetan nuns who offered us (more than a smidgenly illegally) their straw bed and cauliflower soup during a rain storm. In the middle of the night, we heard them up on the roof fixing leaks so that we wouldn't get wet.
October 8, 2014
Red Poppies by Alai, is an interesting piece not least because it is one of the few literary works that has passed the censors of China to make it’s way from Tibet to the western world. Because of this, I have suspicions that the writer, who is Chinese, though has Tibetan heritage, portrayed the Tibetan people within the novel in a way the censors would approve of.
The story takes place in twentieth century Tibet, and the narrator is the second, and youngest son of a Tibetan warlord, the Maichi family. He tells us with nearly the first sentence of the books (certainly the first paragraph, I don’t recall the book is somewhere in the house but I am lazy) that he is an idiot. Everyone thinks so. His older brother the heir, his mother, his nanny (who is also his first lover), his father… everyone.
However, it became apparent to me pretty early on that the narrator is not an idiot at all, he’s actually very perceptive. People only think he’s an idiot because he sometimes says things that are socially and politically inept. The plot follows “The Idiot’s” moves and sexual exploits, his good and bad fortune as his father falls ill. The book is filled with hinted magic, or magical realism. Think One Thousand Years of Solitude by Garcia Marquez, so the magic could be coincidence… but could also be magic.
Though the book is interesting, I also feel like it dragged on a bit. Certain things were brought up throughout the book that I thought would have a profound impact, only to be cast by the wayside later. An interesting read if you’re interested in what kind of literature makes it past the Chinese censors, but not my favorite read of the year, that’s for sure–despite the book being deep and nuanced.
If you’re interested in this book, check out your local bookstore, please, please, please, before looking on amazon.
The story takes place in twentieth century Tibet, and the narrator is the second, and youngest son of a Tibetan warlord, the Maichi family. He tells us with nearly the first sentence of the books (certainly the first paragraph, I don’t recall the book is somewhere in the house but I am lazy) that he is an idiot. Everyone thinks so. His older brother the heir, his mother, his nanny (who is also his first lover), his father… everyone.
However, it became apparent to me pretty early on that the narrator is not an idiot at all, he’s actually very perceptive. People only think he’s an idiot because he sometimes says things that are socially and politically inept. The plot follows “The Idiot’s” moves and sexual exploits, his good and bad fortune as his father falls ill. The book is filled with hinted magic, or magical realism. Think One Thousand Years of Solitude by Garcia Marquez, so the magic could be coincidence… but could also be magic.
Though the book is interesting, I also feel like it dragged on a bit. Certain things were brought up throughout the book that I thought would have a profound impact, only to be cast by the wayside later. An interesting read if you’re interested in what kind of literature makes it past the Chinese censors, but not my favorite read of the year, that’s for sure–despite the book being deep and nuanced.
If you’re interested in this book, check out your local bookstore, please, please, please, before looking on amazon.
Read
May 22, 2009I am not loving this book. Maybe it has to do with the translation. Okay, I admit it. I did NOT finish this book. It's terrible. I know it will end in tragedy and I refuse to torture myself for the next three hundred pages just to find out that Tibet gets the shitty end of the stick. I already know that. If you are intrigued by entitled behavior, like to read about slaves being badly treated and are attracted to the effects of opium -- this book is for you. Oh, there is SOME little bit of history that is also sort of interesting.
July 7, 2008
I wanted to like this book. In fact the reason I gave it 2 stars instead of one is that I loved the setting and the feel of the book. And I liked the presentation of the main charachter (an "idiot"). But I felt the book was very negative (this is coming from someone who loves depressing books), and did nothing to bring the reader into the culture.
January 10, 2015
A lush, gritty portrait of Tibetan feudal life told by the 'idiot' son of the second wife of a minor chieftain. Our unreliable narrator steadily learns the mechanics of governing an isolated fiefdom as it is buffeted by the changes of the 20th Century. From slavery to opium to Buddhism to Christianity to Communism, we get an unvarnished examination of the forces competing for the Tibetan soul.
January 29, 2015
This is a wonderfully written book. It is bold, extravagant and shocking in parts. It has the feel of authenticity although who knows what the world of chieftains in pre-revolutionary Tibet was really like. The author speaks frankly about slaves and the freedoms a chief exercises over the bodies of "his" women.
It is weak on plot, following instead a timeline with developments as appropriate. Making the voice, the main character, an "idiot" seems to be a device to avoid the logic of literary development. Things happen and sometimes the idiot deals brilliantly and some advancement is made in the fortunes of his ruling class family. If things go badly, well he is an idiot.
The references to the Red and White Hans towards the end are obvious. But one would have liked to learn more about the Tibetans in Tibet as opposed to those in the story. Did they live under similar conditions? Did they face similar choices between cash crops and food and trade?
Withal, this is a book that represents a people who were truly alive.
It is weak on plot, following instead a timeline with developments as appropriate. Making the voice, the main character, an "idiot" seems to be a device to avoid the logic of literary development. Things happen and sometimes the idiot deals brilliantly and some advancement is made in the fortunes of his ruling class family. If things go badly, well he is an idiot.
The references to the Red and White Hans towards the end are obvious. But one would have liked to learn more about the Tibetans in Tibet as opposed to those in the story. Did they live under similar conditions? Did they face similar choices between cash crops and food and trade?
Withal, this is a book that represents a people who were truly alive.
September 13, 2017
One of the bests from Tibet.
December 5, 2025
feudal tibet historical novel that is violent and lurid in a strange, matter of fact sort of way that reminds me a little bit of some socialist realist texts, although i'm not really clear if this similarity might be ironic or parodic. a lot of the book is interesting because of the ambiguity as to whether the chieftain's son narrator really is an 'idiot'(nice to have a book that caters for its readers eh folks, haha) and what he'll do next, and the various harsh realities of life in a brutal feudal society ruled by chieftains. at the end the communists show up and righteously obliterate the chieftains, serves them right imo
January 20, 2017
My copy (it is 2002 edition of the english translation) has 433 pages, not 448.
It's a really fun book. At first I was enjoying it mildly. At a certain point the characters and story really captured me. Takes place in Tibet in the decades leading up to the communists taking over China. It tells a very interesting story of what life was like in Tibet, what the customs were and what people were like. From the point of view of a member of a ruling family. The men of the ruling family get to sleep with all kinds of women, which is kind of obnoxious. It tells some interesting history. I'm glad it pretty much stopped short of Red China period, because stories about Red China tend to be so depressing.
I really don't think I started this book on January 2nd. Oh well, what can I do? I need to start keeping better track of when I start and finish books. At least I know I finished this one on January 19th.
It's a really fun book. At first I was enjoying it mildly. At a certain point the characters and story really captured me. Takes place in Tibet in the decades leading up to the communists taking over China. It tells a very interesting story of what life was like in Tibet, what the customs were and what people were like. From the point of view of a member of a ruling family. The men of the ruling family get to sleep with all kinds of women, which is kind of obnoxious. It tells some interesting history. I'm glad it pretty much stopped short of Red China period, because stories about Red China tend to be so depressing.
I really don't think I started this book on January 2nd. Oh well, what can I do? I need to start keeping better track of when I start and finish books. At least I know I finished this one on January 19th.
February 21, 2019
Historical novel about Tibet.
As told by the idiot son of one of the last chiefs who ruled vast land and serfs, the novel follows the son from 13 years old to the fall of Tibet to the Chinese. Very interesting historical novel!
As told by the idiot son of one of the last chiefs who ruled vast land and serfs, the novel follows the son from 13 years old to the fall of Tibet to the Chinese. Very interesting historical novel!
March 2, 2010
Awkward translation, obscure subject matter, whiffs of magical realism, and plenty o' syphilis and opium. What's not to like?
June 29, 2013
The only thing i had to say: this book was not for me and very confusing and gross!!
October 28, 2023
Frankly bizarre artifact, the most melodramatic and sadistic thing I’ve ever read. Not without its charms.
“I touched my chest; the hurt I’d felt when she’d slept with my brother wasn’t there. I whistled, summoning our horses, and we set out. I’d heard that a man will die young if he sleeps with a woman with dry private parts. I didn’t know if that was true, but she was wearing me out.”
“I touched my chest; the hurt I’d felt when she’d slept with my brother wasn’t there. I whistled, summoning our horses, and we set out. I’d heard that a man will die young if he sleeps with a woman with dry private parts. I didn’t know if that was true, but she was wearing me out.”
July 19, 2021
“How can flesh and blood live forever, young master? We all knew that our souls would continue to reincarnate. What we meant by Death was obliteration of the body in the present incarnation. Who really knew what happened in previous and future lives?”.
- Alai, Red Poppies : An epic saga of Old Tibet.
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I rarely abandoned my books in the middle of reading. Some would just DNF and felt life is too short to read bad books. As much as i would like to do the same thing, i just felt sort of guilty for doing so. Thus, I persevered and continued reading this book even though i did not enjoyed it all. Granted that it did give me a glimpses of Tibetan Culture and customs, but i find it hard to grapple the plot because the main character is just plain annoying. On top of that, the female characters were written in a crude manner that it really depicted of how lewd a male gaze can be. Don’t get me started on how the author is obsessed with breasts and the state of his own pee - up to the point describing it smell like a ripe cheese or how frothy his urine is ? 👀 I just can’t. I also has a suspicion on how Tibetan was depicted in the story and eventually the region falls under China. When the book itself has won China’s top literary prize - is it because they passed the censorship, or is the author has tone down his writing in a way it can fit the standard sets by China to show that in the end Tibet gets the shitty ending. These questions linger on my mind while finished reading the book.
.
.
The story takes place in twentieth century Tibet, and the narrator is the second, and youngest son of a Tibetan warlord, the Maichi family. The narrator whom people called ‘idiot’ by those around him is not really an idiot after all. I would say it is more of a facade. He has shown in few part of the stories that he is very perceptive and if given a chance can outshine his elder brother. However, the book did challenge the readers in guessing whether he truly is the fake idiot or just a genius in disguise. While poppies might be the title of the stories, i felt it only explored partially in the book. We have seen through the perspective of Tibetan’s Chieftain second son on how poppy production took place in their land. They exchanged the poppy with guns in order to guard their land but generally a really big mistake of doing so. The element of Feudal society is strong in the story demonstrated by the normalcy of the family rivalry among the tribes and the formation of alliance via marriage among tribes. The chieftain reign on their area eventually comes to an end with the the Red Chinese takeover and their invasion into Eastern Tibet. Overall, given it did pass China censors, i don’t t think this can be considered a great reference for Tibetan history and Culture. I would consider searching for other books. Read at your own risk if this is in your TBR.
- Alai, Red Poppies : An epic saga of Old Tibet.
.
.
I rarely abandoned my books in the middle of reading. Some would just DNF and felt life is too short to read bad books. As much as i would like to do the same thing, i just felt sort of guilty for doing so. Thus, I persevered and continued reading this book even though i did not enjoyed it all. Granted that it did give me a glimpses of Tibetan Culture and customs, but i find it hard to grapple the plot because the main character is just plain annoying. On top of that, the female characters were written in a crude manner that it really depicted of how lewd a male gaze can be. Don’t get me started on how the author is obsessed with breasts and the state of his own pee - up to the point describing it smell like a ripe cheese or how frothy his urine is ? 👀 I just can’t. I also has a suspicion on how Tibetan was depicted in the story and eventually the region falls under China. When the book itself has won China’s top literary prize - is it because they passed the censorship, or is the author has tone down his writing in a way it can fit the standard sets by China to show that in the end Tibet gets the shitty ending. These questions linger on my mind while finished reading the book.
.
.
The story takes place in twentieth century Tibet, and the narrator is the second, and youngest son of a Tibetan warlord, the Maichi family. The narrator whom people called ‘idiot’ by those around him is not really an idiot after all. I would say it is more of a facade. He has shown in few part of the stories that he is very perceptive and if given a chance can outshine his elder brother. However, the book did challenge the readers in guessing whether he truly is the fake idiot or just a genius in disguise. While poppies might be the title of the stories, i felt it only explored partially in the book. We have seen through the perspective of Tibetan’s Chieftain second son on how poppy production took place in their land. They exchanged the poppy with guns in order to guard their land but generally a really big mistake of doing so. The element of Feudal society is strong in the story demonstrated by the normalcy of the family rivalry among the tribes and the formation of alliance via marriage among tribes. The chieftain reign on their area eventually comes to an end with the the Red Chinese takeover and their invasion into Eastern Tibet. Overall, given it did pass China censors, i don’t t think this can be considered a great reference for Tibetan history and Culture. I would consider searching for other books. Read at your own risk if this is in your TBR.
November 3, 2023
Автор став для мене відкриттям. Залюбки почитаю його інші книги. Стиль написання дуже сподобався: він споглядально-філософський і епічний водночас. Як і сам сюжет в ньому є мудрість століть з одночасною історією маленької людини. Цей прийом показати історію цілого народу через життя однієї родини завжди чудово спрацьовує. Хоча в книзі немає конкретних дат, але історичні події чітко проглядаються. Книга сприймається як міфічна історія чи казка, й водночас вона реалістична хроніка подій того часу.
Окреме задоволення отримала від мальовничих описів побуту та культури Тибету. Перед очима прямо малювалися всі ці пейзажі та поселення. Автор не ідеалізує, а саме оповідає. Жорстокість звичаїв та дивні для нас традиції місцями шокують, але сприймаються органічно, як частина оповіді.
Книга порушує складну тему - що значить бути лідером і як ним стають? Які риси характеру й уміння потрібно мати щоб бути гарним керманичем? Історія головного героя бурхлива ріка життєвих подій та несподіваних поворотів долі. Вона показує нам, що не варто оцінювати людей поверхнево, адже дурень може виявитися найрозумнішим серед мудреців.
Окреме задоволення отримала від мальовничих описів побуту та культури Тибету. Перед очима прямо малювалися всі ці пейзажі та поселення. Автор не ідеалізує, а саме оповідає. Жорстокість звичаїв та дивні для нас традиції місцями шокують, але сприймаються органічно, як частина оповіді.
Книга порушує складну тему - що значить бути лідером і як ним стають? Які риси характеру й уміння потрібно мати щоб бути гарним керманичем? Історія головного героя бурхлива ріка життєвих подій та несподіваних поворотів долі. Вона показує нам, що не варто оцінювати людей поверхнево, адже дурень може виявитися найрозумнішим серед мудреців.
June 23, 2013
Cuốn sách này đã cuốn hút tôi ngay từ những trang đầu tiên. Tôi bắt gặp Bụi Trần Lắng Đọng của A Lai trong phần mềm Truyện Audio trên điện thoại của tôi, một phần mềm mà truyện 18+ chiếm hơn phân nửa số sách.
Cái giọng đọc của người đàn ông, chậm, trầm và ề à mang cả cái lạ lẫm của buổi sáng mùa đông của vùng đất người Tạng vào tâm trí của tôi. Và khi tôi quyết định tắt ngay audio để tìm bản ebook đọc thì tôi đã bị cuốn hút hẳn vào vùng đất của những Thổ ti, của những thung lũng lộng gió bạt ngàn, của cây hoa anh túc, của máu, của những cái đầu rơi, lưỡi cắt, ái ân... Tôi thật sự thích những mẫu đối thoại và cốt truyện lạ lẫm của tiểu thuyết này, khi mà tiểu thuyết ngày nay gần như đã bí đề tài và dần cạn kiệt thì quyển sách này với vẻ lạ lẫm của nó như một loại hương mát lành thổi vào lòng người đọc. Thật đáng đọc làm sao!
Cái giọng đọc của người đàn ông, chậm, trầm và ề à mang cả cái lạ lẫm của buổi sáng mùa đông của vùng đất người Tạng vào tâm trí của tôi. Và khi tôi quyết định tắt ngay audio để tìm bản ebook đọc thì tôi đã bị cuốn hút hẳn vào vùng đất của những Thổ ti, của những thung lũng lộng gió bạt ngàn, của cây hoa anh túc, của máu, của những cái đầu rơi, lưỡi cắt, ái ân... Tôi thật sự thích những mẫu đối thoại và cốt truyện lạ lẫm của tiểu thuyết này, khi mà tiểu thuyết ngày nay gần như đã bí đề tài và dần cạn kiệt thì quyển sách này với vẻ lạ lẫm của nó như một loại hương mát lành thổi vào lòng người đọc. Thật đáng đọc làm sao!
August 30, 2021
I thought my problem with this book was going to be that it towed the Party line by portraying the Tibetan people as barbaric and subject to despotic theocracy. While it certainly did portray Tibetan people as barbaric and subject to despotic feudal power, my main issues lay elsewhere. All of the characters are so unlikeable and the protagonist - who is either an "idiot" or very smart - is quite repulsive. I pushed my way through the book to the end, but only because I was trying to recall whether it was a different novel than one I read 15 years ago about Tibetans being liberated by the CCP. It wasn't. I also wonder whether the translation of the book does a disservice. I have heard excerpts of the Chinese original spoken by Alai, and it read quite poetically. In this translation, the more stylistic passages are jarring given the crudeness and cruelty of the characters.
January 9, 2025
a terrific journey to the heart of the tibet - from the pov of an idiot prince.
beautiful writing to describe the most horrid and vulgar elements - some of the most abhorrent scenes have succesfully evoked sort of a physical uneasiness in me.
will always love some magical realism sprinkled here and there.
some characters more well written than others. hated every single one of them - which i believe is what the author intended.
the final five chapters or so make the entire read worth. the dilapidated empire, fate inexorably bringing everything to its own place, the dust finally settling down. was lucky to read the original piece (in chinese) and i believe no other translated work would have ever captured its ambience of decay and death so well.
overall, not an entirely enjoyable read but certainly worth.
beautiful writing to describe the most horrid and vulgar elements - some of the most abhorrent scenes have succesfully evoked sort of a physical uneasiness in me.
will always love some magical realism sprinkled here and there.
some characters more well written than others. hated every single one of them - which i believe is what the author intended.
the final five chapters or so make the entire read worth. the dilapidated empire, fate inexorably bringing everything to its own place, the dust finally settling down. was lucky to read the original piece (in chinese) and i believe no other translated work would have ever captured its ambience of decay and death so well.
overall, not an entirely enjoyable read but certainly worth.
June 30, 2015
Beware of "Bargain" Books or Audio books. You get what you pay for. I often pick up these at library sales or odd lots shops to listen to in my car. I can usually make it through most as they are a great diversion while driving, but this one was awful. The reader's different voices were terrible (I will hear him crying "Doma" in my sleep for weeks) and the story itself was drawn out way too long and boring even with it's brutal "action". To quote Shakespeare:
"It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."
I will pick up a real history book of Tibet in this period as I would love to know more.
"It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."
I will pick up a real history book of Tibet in this period as I would love to know more.
June 10, 2016
This book was truly awful in just about every way that it could be. The story is told in first person from a man who is mentally handicapped, which makes the writing choppy and awful. The phrases used are not accurate to the time period depicted. Finally, the content is awful with murder, adultery, fornication, torture, mutilation, and drug use just to name a few. It was just awful all the way around.
August 27, 2025
My heart- now I felt your existence. You were filled half with longing and half with torment.
Red Poppies is a beautifully written, deeply atmospheric novel set in the final years of Tibet’s chieftain system. Though slow-paced, it offers a glimpse into a culture I knew little about, which made it all the more compelling. Told from the perspective of a Chieftain’s idiot son, the narrative is both detached and unexpectedly perceptive, creating a unique storytelling.
September 4, 2012
A wonderful novel that compares favorably with Graves's I, Claudius. Alai takes you into the corrupt heart of early 20th Century Tibet with the surety of a master storyteller.
May 2, 2021
Der Sohn des Fürsten Maichi erscheint als recht zukunftsfähiger Idiot. Jedenfalls gelingt es ihm inmitten der luxuriösen Rechte feudaler Herrschaft im tibetisch-chinesischen Grenzgebiet über sein Leben als Fürstensohn hinaus, eine Perspektive auf die sich abzeichnenden gesellschaftlichen Veränderungen und die Brüchigkeit der alten Einrichtungen zu haben. So gelingt es einen tibetischen Roman zu schreiben, der nicht sentimental und idyllisierend einer alten tibetischen Kultur verhaftet bleibt, sondern diese mit ihrer von Leibeigenschaft, Sklaverei und herrschaftlicher Willkür geprägte Zeit angemessen darzustellen vermag und die gesellschaftlichen Brüche in viel Humor und Sprachwitz, der Perspektive des Idioten sei Dank, in einem lesenswerten historischen Roman abzubilden vermag.
In der deutschsprachigen Rezension verwundert ein wenig die mit dem Erfolg in China ausgedrückte Überraschung, einer der renommiertesten Literaturpreise wurde dafür vergeben, ob der "heiklen" Thematisierung eines Tibet-Themas, obgleich sich das Buch ohne weiteres in Anlehnung selbst an einen verkürzten Historischen Materialismus lesen lasse. Schließlich stellt er nicht nur als Träger der "traditionellen" tibetischen Kultur eine schmale Herrschaftsschicht und damit eben nicht die unzähligen Leibeigenen und Sklaven dar, sondern orientiert sich am Rahmen des gesellschaftlichen Zeitenbruchs, der Auflösung der Feudalgesellschaft auch als innertibetische Tendenz, die der Bürgerkrieg nur beschleunigte. Und die Gesellschaft über die ersten zarten Ansätze der Herausbildung einer bürgerlichen Gesellschaft, in der Perspektive angedeutet durch den Sieg der Roten über die Weißen, hinaus in die gemeinsame chinesische Zukunft führt. Der Agrarkapitalismus, die Monopolisierung, die Kriege zwischen Nachbarn erscheinen somit als Verschwendung von Ressourcen, als bereits zur Zeit ihrer Entstehung überholte Ereignisse und somit als vollauf gerechtfertigtes und notwendiges Ende der Feudalgesellschaft. Der vom idiotischen Fürstensohn angeheuerte Geschichtsschreiber fast entsprechend die sich verflüchtigenden Handlungsoptionen der Fürsten ganz hellsichtig: In der ersten Zeit der Fürsten hatte alles, was sie taten, Hand und Fuß, doch nun ist das, was sie beschließen, entweder falsch oder sinnlos" (392)
In der deutschsprachigen Rezension verwundert ein wenig die mit dem Erfolg in China ausgedrückte Überraschung, einer der renommiertesten Literaturpreise wurde dafür vergeben, ob der "heiklen" Thematisierung eines Tibet-Themas, obgleich sich das Buch ohne weiteres in Anlehnung selbst an einen verkürzten Historischen Materialismus lesen lasse. Schließlich stellt er nicht nur als Träger der "traditionellen" tibetischen Kultur eine schmale Herrschaftsschicht und damit eben nicht die unzähligen Leibeigenen und Sklaven dar, sondern orientiert sich am Rahmen des gesellschaftlichen Zeitenbruchs, der Auflösung der Feudalgesellschaft auch als innertibetische Tendenz, die der Bürgerkrieg nur beschleunigte. Und die Gesellschaft über die ersten zarten Ansätze der Herausbildung einer bürgerlichen Gesellschaft, in der Perspektive angedeutet durch den Sieg der Roten über die Weißen, hinaus in die gemeinsame chinesische Zukunft führt. Der Agrarkapitalismus, die Monopolisierung, die Kriege zwischen Nachbarn erscheinen somit als Verschwendung von Ressourcen, als bereits zur Zeit ihrer Entstehung überholte Ereignisse und somit als vollauf gerechtfertigtes und notwendiges Ende der Feudalgesellschaft. Der vom idiotischen Fürstensohn angeheuerte Geschichtsschreiber fast entsprechend die sich verflüchtigenden Handlungsoptionen der Fürsten ganz hellsichtig: In der ersten Zeit der Fürsten hatte alles, was sie taten, Hand und Fuß, doch nun ist das, was sie beschließen, entweder falsch oder sinnlos" (392)
February 15, 2025
On suit l'enfant d'un chef de clan du Tibet et, par extension, sa famille, esclaves, ennemis, querelles etc. J'ai trouvé le style décousu, plein de sous-entendus peu compréhensibles pour moi. Le récit est parcouru de scènes cruelles d'humiliations et de tortures, d'hommes à qui on donne une femme pour la nuit, de meurtres. Pas très agréable. Par contre j'ai regardé des photos de quelques lieux Tibétains mentionnés et ça à l'air d'être une région splendide.
Le visage d'Aryi pâlit plus que jamais quand nous gagnâmes le pied de l'escalier en bois qui menait à la pièce. « Jeune maître, s'il te plait, ne montons pas... »
J'avais peur moi aussi, alors je lui dis oui. Mais Sonam Tserang s'écria : « Tu as peur, jeune maître, ou bien tu es stupide ? Nous y sommes presque et maintenant tu décides de ne plus aller voir. Si c'est comme ça, je ne jouerai plus avec toi. »
Il me traitait d'idiot, mais je me dis que c'était lui, le véritable idiot. Pensait-il réellement que c'était à lui de choisir s'il jouait avec moi ou pas ? Alors, je lui lançai : « Je me rappellerai ce que tu viens de dire. N'oublie jamais que tu ne joues pas avec moi, mais que tu me sers. »
Je fus ravi de le voir stupéfait. Cet imbécile en resta bouche bée.
Je savais qu'ils ne faisaient pas exprès de déranger un homme aussi bon que moi ; si cela avait été le cas, ils n'auraient pas, en marchant, noué leurs bras autour de leur estomac.
Le troisième jour, quand ils descendirent au ruisseau, certains d'entre eux tombèrent dans l'eau. Incapables de se relever, ils se noyèrent dans les bas-fonds. Il fallut moins d'une journée pour qu'ils enflent comme des sacs et soient emportés par le courant. Les gens qui n'allaient pas boire au ruisseau mouraient également; on les ramassait pour les jeter dans la rivière, où ils dérivaient en flottant jusqu'à l'entrée du paradis.
January 3, 2023
I read Red Poppies for my popular literature class and I thought it was fantastic.
I was expecting not to like it but I was pleasantly surprised. The story was well paced and had some seriously enjoyable characters, although many of them lack names.
I usually am not a big fan of historical books as they tend to be boring and I lose interest very quickly, but this one had sex and drugs so I was hooked. Jokes aside there were many parts of this book I found exciting and I got lost in reading this book many times. As I said I read this for my high school popular literature class and I often kept reading until the bell pulled me out of my book.
I also liked the idea of the main character being told he was an idiot his entire life, likely due to some kind of developmental disorder so he was a shame to his family until they notice that he has a kind of ingeniousness to him. This shined through the most when his father let him choose which crop to grow, which led to them making like 10x the normal profit on their grain harvest.
Overall I gave this book a 4 because it was not some life changing piece of literature, but it was a good book that I enjoyed reading the entire way through.
I was expecting not to like it but I was pleasantly surprised. The story was well paced and had some seriously enjoyable characters, although many of them lack names.
I usually am not a big fan of historical books as they tend to be boring and I lose interest very quickly, but this one had sex and drugs so I was hooked. Jokes aside there were many parts of this book I found exciting and I got lost in reading this book many times. As I said I read this for my high school popular literature class and I often kept reading until the bell pulled me out of my book.
I also liked the idea of the main character being told he was an idiot his entire life, likely due to some kind of developmental disorder so he was a shame to his family until they notice that he has a kind of ingeniousness to him. This shined through the most when his father let him choose which crop to grow, which led to them making like 10x the normal profit on their grain harvest.
Overall I gave this book a 4 because it was not some life changing piece of literature, but it was a good book that I enjoyed reading the entire way through.
January 6, 2023
"Rossi fiori del Tibet" di Alai è un romanzo che racconta di un Tibet dei primi del '900, raramente presentato, attraverso gli occhi di un "idiota" (così tutti lo chiamano), membro della più potente famiglia di "capi" tibetani: i Maichi. È infatti dalle parole del più giovane figlio del capo Maichi - l'"idiota" - che assistiamo a mutamenti che, non solo hanno luogo all'interno della stessa famiglia, ma che coinvolgono il Tibet nel suo complesso. E saranno proprio i "rossi fiori del Tibet" a innescare una catena di eventi che porterà a un totale cambiamento.
Ci sono, in questo romanzo, poeticità e crudezza, momenti alti e bassi, violenti e sereni. Non c'è dubbio che sia un romanzo bello (con un finale, a modo suo, delicato), eppure qualcosa trovo manchi a quest'opera, sebbene tuttora io non abbia capito che cos'è questa cosa che manca. Forse non riuscirò mai a definirla, ma ne sentivo l'assenza; un'assenza che mi ha impedito sino alla fine di innamorarmi perdutamente di questa lettura: ogni tanto, non ne venivo attratto; ogni tanto, mi sentivo lontano da essa; ogni tanto, la sensazione di quella mancanza era più forte della potenza di quanto veniva raccontato...
Ci sono, in questo romanzo, poeticità e crudezza, momenti alti e bassi, violenti e sereni. Non c'è dubbio che sia un romanzo bello (con un finale, a modo suo, delicato), eppure qualcosa trovo manchi a quest'opera, sebbene tuttora io non abbia capito che cos'è questa cosa che manca. Forse non riuscirò mai a definirla, ma ne sentivo l'assenza; un'assenza che mi ha impedito sino alla fine di innamorarmi perdutamente di questa lettura: ogni tanto, non ne venivo attratto; ogni tanto, mi sentivo lontano da essa; ogni tanto, la sensazione di quella mancanza era più forte della potenza di quanto veniva raccontato...
October 8, 2017
Finally, I managed to get around to reading this. A college professor of mine recommended it a few years back.
While I found it to be rather slow, the thing which kept me going was the main character. The "idiot" as he is called by everyone around him. His powers of observation, inquisitive nature, and reasoning make him something of a black sheep in that he does not always see the point in strictly adhering to the traditions, norms, and values which his family and society prescribe. He calls things like he sees it and this, in turn, garners him the label of "idiot."
The novel does an interesting job of articulating the Chinese invasion of Tibet towards the end, but mostly it is just a survey of Tibetan society from the perspective of our lovable idiot. Would recommend for anyone interested in Tibetan literature/culture with an ability to endure an often slow read.
While I found it to be rather slow, the thing which kept me going was the main character. The "idiot" as he is called by everyone around him. His powers of observation, inquisitive nature, and reasoning make him something of a black sheep in that he does not always see the point in strictly adhering to the traditions, norms, and values which his family and society prescribe. He calls things like he sees it and this, in turn, garners him the label of "idiot."
The novel does an interesting job of articulating the Chinese invasion of Tibet towards the end, but mostly it is just a survey of Tibetan society from the perspective of our lovable idiot. Would recommend for anyone interested in Tibetan literature/culture with an ability to endure an often slow read.
December 27, 2020
One of my goals for the coming year is to read more works in translation, as I feel that I have a generally poor awareness of world literature. Though it’s not 2021 yet, I kicked off this goal by reading “Red Poppies” by Alai, a Tibetan novel.
I would describe this book as a coming-of-age epic. The story takes place in the War of the Poppies, and mostly follows the life of a chieftain’s son as his people engage in various conflicts with neighboring chieftains. The narrator is supposedly the “idiot” younger son of the chieftain, but whether he is an idiot or a genius is constantly challenged throughout the book.
This novel takes on a supernatural quality at times, and some parts of the novel downright feel like a fever dream. Interesting exploration of developing globalism (trade, conflict, etc) and Tibetan independence. I would recommend.
I would describe this book as a coming-of-age epic. The story takes place in the War of the Poppies, and mostly follows the life of a chieftain’s son as his people engage in various conflicts with neighboring chieftains. The narrator is supposedly the “idiot” younger son of the chieftain, but whether he is an idiot or a genius is constantly challenged throughout the book.
This novel takes on a supernatural quality at times, and some parts of the novel downright feel like a fever dream. Interesting exploration of developing globalism (trade, conflict, etc) and Tibetan independence. I would recommend.
October 28, 2024
A remote land stuck in a feudal period. The son of a chieftain who is considered an idiot, a label that instead of hindering his future allows him to break free from the conventions and the obligations of his society. An engaging story set in the first half of the 20th century, when the wind of changes was sweeping their land. Interesting as an historical novel, but also a beautifully narrated tale.
While under the pressure of opium trade and the Chinese invasion modernity invades his land the main character, free from the restraints of the tradition, is the one who better than anybody else is able to adapt to the changing world, in his office he is successful, but still cannot escape the harsh reality of a brutal land.
While under the pressure of opium trade and the Chinese invasion modernity invades his land the main character, free from the restraints of the tradition, is the one who better than anybody else is able to adapt to the changing world, in his office he is successful, but still cannot escape the harsh reality of a brutal land.
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