Wolf Totem: A Novel by Rong Jiang (2009-03-31) Paperback

by Rong Jiang

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Amruth PANDIRAJAMANICKAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, I believe the author has depicted the feelings and life of nomads very realistically,spiritually , philosophically, politically and socially. The best part of the book is imagining ourselves in the terrains and Greenland of the olanbulag. The way people show respect to the wolf totem is very eastern view of spirituality to which I was able to connect with very much.( I am from south india). We can also feel the pain and cruelty that these people go through due to globalization. There are parts when bilig,the head of the community, talks to Chen zhen about their traditions and teaches him the practices of their community. Here the interesting part is bilig is also open to learn new things from Chen but the Chinese authorities doesn’t care about any of these nomadic traditions and practices. The war techniques and the strategies the wolf packs follow is the most interesting part of the novel. There are lot of things about this novel, which are eye opening specifically when Chen tries to raise a wolf by himself ,the conflicts that happens between him and the people and bilig. It was a pleasure living in olanbulag with these nomads and getting the virtue of the balance between nature and human by bowing down to the wolf totem.

[Noelle G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned so much about Chinese and Mongolian culture and tensions between the two cultures. The author’s passion for wolves was abundantly apparent in every page. There are many layers to this story. Both about the literal characters and the spiritual totems of the animals, people, and nation of China. I was able to draw connections between these characters and the wolves, Native Americans, and advancements of agricultural practices here in America. At the end I can’t help but ask, what can we do to right the wrongs the pride of humanity has caused? Can we get back to a place of balance between man and nature?

[Michael Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is emotional and excellent if you are able to survive the “filler” in-between chapters. The best comparison is when you’re watching bleach. hollow ichigo is about to fight ulquiorra but then you have to endure 3 seasons of filler before the actual fight.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting window onto the life of the steppe, and strong criticism of the "progress" brought by Han influence in Mongolia. Despite that, the writing can be very clunky at times, not sure if that is due to translator or author.