What do you think?
Rate this book
Light on China
My China Years
The author recounts her years in China and records her observations and thoughts on the revolutionary birth of modern China
- GenresChina
349 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 8, 2016
Helen Foster Snow's ex-husband Edgar Snow is very famous in China, along with his book "Red Star Over China", which is quite a shame actually for I haven't read it yet.
However, having read a couple of books all written during Chinese revolution years, though seen from various foreign perspectives, I am truly perplexed about what really happened back then. You see, it is undoubtedly clear that each author would only write from his/her personal ground with mixed feelings. For example, Milly Bennet has expressed her pro-Kuomingtang tendencies in her book "On Her Own", so has John Leighton Stuart.
However, Helen Foster Snow and Edgar Snow are somehow pro-Communist Party of China. They maintained a friendly relationship with many Chinese leaders, and spoke highly of Communist ethics. This book also includes some life details of their life in China that unfortunately don't appear too interesting to me. However, I do love the precious picture pages very much and it seems that they are able to bring me back to the old times.
Overall, it is worth a shot if you are really interested in China's situation from 1931 to 1940, and simply wouldn't want to miss one single opportunity to learn more about it. Other than that, it is pretty much "okay-ish", just a personal opinion.
However, having read a couple of books all written during Chinese revolution years, though seen from various foreign perspectives, I am truly perplexed about what really happened back then. You see, it is undoubtedly clear that each author would only write from his/her personal ground with mixed feelings. For example, Milly Bennet has expressed her pro-Kuomingtang tendencies in her book "On Her Own", so has John Leighton Stuart.
However, Helen Foster Snow and Edgar Snow are somehow pro-Communist Party of China. They maintained a friendly relationship with many Chinese leaders, and spoke highly of Communist ethics. This book also includes some life details of their life in China that unfortunately don't appear too interesting to me. However, I do love the precious picture pages very much and it seems that they are able to bring me back to the old times.
Overall, it is worth a shot if you are really interested in China's situation from 1931 to 1940, and simply wouldn't want to miss one single opportunity to learn more about it. Other than that, it is pretty much "okay-ish", just a personal opinion.
December 13, 2022
I have been working on a semester long project about Helen Foster Snow's life and more specifically her involvement in the Chinese Industrial Cooperative Movement. She was a remarkable woman who does not get the credit she deserves. Both a prolific writer and a deep thinker, Helen tells her unique story of a young girl living in one of the most pivotal times of Chinese history beautifully. This manages to be an inspiring read while still reminding us that even the most accomplished among us have very human moments. Would recommend this book to anyone!
Read
April 16, 2008My grandfathers sister wrote this book!! She is pretty well known in china and she even has a college named after her there!!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews