To the Edge of the Sky: A Story of Love, Betrayal, Suffering, and the Strength of Human Courage

by Anhua Gao

To the "Edge of the Sky" is the harrowing account of a remarkable woman's life in communist China-a tale of human courage in the face of shocking inhumanity and hardship. Anhua Gao (her name means Tranquil Flower) was born in 1949, the year that Mao Tse Tung declared the foundation of the People's Republic of China. "To The Edge of the Sky" is, like Jung Chang's "Wild Swans," an inspiring and heartrending story of life under communist rule and, at the same time, a compelling and detailed history of China's political upheaval through the twentieth century.
Gao's early childhood is idyllic-both of her parents are highly respected workers in the Communist army and the family lives in comfort, with many privileges. By the time Anhua is eleven, however, both are dead-and their reputation proves a fragile shield from the horrors of communist China. With an assured and deliberate voice, and from the perspective of her new and hard-won safety of a new life in Britain (her mother once pointed out the island country to her on a Chinese world map, located on the far left "on the edge of the sky"), Gao interweaves a picture of calamitous Maoist policies with her own story of shocking family betrayal, cruel imprisonment, and bureaucratic absurdity. "To the Edge of the Sky" is a powerful and evocative autobiography-the story of a woman who, against unbelievable odds, survived to find a happiness she had not dared hope for.

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

398 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This autobiography can be quite dense at times as it is chock full of history, but Gao’s life was so intertwined with the rise of and rule of the People’s Communist Party that there was no way around it. (Both of her parents played major roles in the party and even though they died when Gao was young, their service benefited her in some ways.)

Although it took me a while to read because of this, I still found it informative and enjoyable. I read books like this and realize how little I know of how people in other countries live(d). I’m sure I’ve said that before and will probably say it again, but it is one of the reasons I love reading biography and history books. You get a glimpse into a part of the world you would have never seen otherwise.

I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in China around 1940s-1990s. I learned a lot and came away with a better understanding of what China was like, both during and after the Chinese Revolution and Cultural Revolution.

[Evelina | AvalinahsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that I look back, I realize I should have read To The Edge of the Sky much sooner. But for some reason, it took me a year to get to it. I got it after I read a great review by a friend, but reading real stories from 20th century China is usually quite depressing, so maybe I just wasn't ready. Now I realize that reading about real life hardship can sometimes even help when you're down, because it puts things into perspective. And this book really does that. To the Edge of the Sky explores the depth of human existence in hardship, and it does it in such a down to earth way that you won't be able to pry yourself away. I stayed up to read it.

It's hard to fathom these things that happened while most of our parents were already alive, somewhere in another part of the world. It's hard to understand how or why such deliberate destruction of its own people, its own society made sense to the ruling class of China at that time. Its tragic, painful and hard to believe, but it has to be witnessed. And it can be witnessed by learning the stories of these people. To the Edge of the Sky is one of them. So if you think you've been suffering, read To the Edge of the Sky – it will humble you. It will make you see what happens, when basic kindness and empathy is removed from the equation. What seemingly little deeds may do, change in the long run – for the better or worse. History can be a warning to us. Let it be the warning.

There’s a whole bunch of other reasons why you should read this book, and you can read them all on my blog here in the full review. Triggers also included there (this book has a lot of them.)



Read Full Review on the Blog | Themed Bookstagram | Quick Update Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter

[Sourojit Das · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will probably the last book I complete this year, and I am grateful to have ended on a sobering note. There is a lot that we take for granted. And a lot more plans are made on the basis of sweet future assumptions. If you need a jolt of reality to bring you back to level, please read Anhua Gao's wonderful memoirs about life under "The Great Helmsman". A very balanced and detailed look into the life and times of ordinary Chinese post the communist takeover of the Middle Kingdom, it is a must-read.

[Sadie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing and inspiring, very often shocking, story of life in communist China. An absolute must read.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most outstanding books I have read. The way this woman writes, her vivid memories of her life. Absolutely wonderful. The slightly bittersweet twist to the story, makes you want to just shake your head. This is right up there and should be read!!!

[Ly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir from start to end was one poignant story.

The book, to a Vietnamese reader like me, did not come as a great surprise or a revelation into the life under communism, like it might have been for people who had never experienced / had relatives who went through it However, it is still a great story of that sheds light on the deep, long-lasting and yet, extremely personal impact the years under Mao's Communism was for Chinese people and how some have survived, but many didn't.

It's one thing to read up on the Cultural Revolution through history books & online articles, it's another to see these same events that scholars talk about, in a memoir, changing the life course of real people. This book further fortifies my belief that memoir is the best lens to peer into history.

One quote in particular stays with me:

In a land empty of justice that tiny bias towards a semblance of a fair trial was a huge and dangerous step for the judge to take. And it proved beyond a shadow of doubt that, despite all the years without a shred of human right, bravery and decency were not dead in China, pp 340

I share the same hope for Vietnam ... in a land deeply scarred by wars, separation, propaganda, distrust, shortages, moral erosion & increasingly, corrupt obsession with wealth ... I hope that my people's "bravery" & "decency" will not die.

[Jill Dobbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical books are not really my thing. However, I picked this one up because I enjoy memoirs and reading about China. The book is an excellent account of life during and before the reign of Mao Tse-Tung. The author gives an account that is well-written and interesting. Her story of the brutality, inhumane treatment, poverty, and countless and unnecessary deaths caused by a ruling monster is shocking and horrifying, while her accounts of the strength of the Chinese people and the hunger, hardships, and horrible life they live, but somehow survive, is daunting.

To the Edge of the Sky is a beautiful book and should be read by everyone interested in Chinese history and culture.

I received this book through Netgalley.

[Georgia Heeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A memoir of life under China’s communist regime and growing up during the Cultural Revolution, of which her parents were ‘revolutionary martyrs’. Scary to think what people are capable of when brainwashed and living in fear. Unbelievable what Mao got away with. Can’t believe how easily everyone murdered or forced each other into suicide.

The writing wasn’t amazing but it’s a good book to read if you don’t like nonfiction yet want to learn about China’s history.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true story of Anhua's life in Communist China from the 40s to the 90s.

This was an interesting book, written well with insights into Chairman Mao's reign. I really enjoyed her story along with finding out more about China in the 1900s.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I'm not a big fan of autobiographies, and I'm not really very interested in modern China, but nonetheless I found myself reading this quite quickly. The book followed the path of one family, whose parents joined the Communists in the 30s and saw the revolution take shape, and the fate of their daughter, and her siblings after they died. It was quite interesting to see the Cultural Revolution from the perspective of one person. It was also interesting to see the changing state of politics. Clearly Gao blamed Mao for nearly all of the problems with Communist China. He had been made into her idol while growing up and he was to blame for all the problems. The politics within this book were interesting, there was a great sense of the fear or the terror that was caused by the Cultural Revolution and it was interesting to see how people survived for those ten years. Gao herself, despite being the daughter of two communists, seemed to have little political beliefs herself. She never talked about what she believed, beyond what they had been told Mao wanted from them. It was an interesting insight into the indoctrination of school children. Gao's only goal seemed to be to study well and get into university, to please her mother. It was sad to see that she couldn't get on with her family and had few lasting relationships. She seemed to only be happy towards the end once China had opened up and she was getting to a more comfortable "western" life style. It seemed that besides from the human rights abuses her next biggest concern was always physical comfort and there was a great deal of descriptions of unpleasant smells and pain, and bug bites. (I started to wonder a little if perhaps her siblings were right and she did have bourgeois pretensions). In the end it seemed a little sad that she was leaving China and just wasn't able to see any hope or change. Her arrest which came after the end of the Cultural Revolution when things were supposed to be opening was quite shocking. I did enjoy this book. It reminded me a lot of the film Xiu Xiu the Sent Down Girl, which is by far the most dramatic and saddest portrayal of Communist China that I've seen. While not an area I ever want to study fully it's good to go and read about occasionally.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book totally drew me into a world I have known about from twentieth century history reading, but the thoughts, observations and personal experiences of the author Anhua Gao impacted me enormously.

Anhua and I are only 2 years apart in age, but my life and hers could not have been any more different. I admire her greatly for her love of parents and siblings, even when so badly treated by two of them. She devoted herself to working hard in what she believed for a number of years to be a wonderful system: that is Communism under their god-like leader Mao Tse tung.
The cracks in Communism began to filter into Anhua's thinking during her late teens as she witnesses the opposite happening in China to what, under Communism, the people are told. Anhua is well educated, and at 17 is selected for the Foreign Language Institute of Beijing. The year is 1966 and Mao's Cultural Revolution began. All schooling ceased and The Little Red book of Mao quotes became the Bible of the young and the violent Red Guard. It is during this 10 year period of violence and tearing down of anyone seen as even slightly capitalist, including land lords, teachers and wealthy bourgeois, that Anhua realises she hates Mao's Communism. This knowledge she must keep to herself. Her description of the Cultural Revolution is a heartbreaking expose of innocent people victimized and killed with even factions of the Red Guard turning on each other in violent clashes. Anhua herself is betrayed by her sister who she has confided in, but avoids jail because of her hard working ethic and the respect of her work unit.

As the years pass Anhua enters a disastrous marriage although her daughter gives her comfort during this time.Her life is starting to look up as she gains better work, only to crash down when her employer accuses her of betraying State secrets. She is arrested by the State Security and violently taken to jail. Denied access to her daughter upon her release from the unfounded accusations, it was the friendship of the Judge that saved her from starvation and returned her daughter.

This book is a revelation of what happens to a society when terror reigns. However it also gives glimpses of courageous humanity and deep loyal friendships. Anhua experienced sacrificial friendships helping her to see there was a future for herself and her daughter.

The story leaves the reader when Anhua, through her own persistence and the help of foreign friends, pushes through to find love, and moves to the country her mother told her was To the Edge of the Sky: Great Britain.

[jeannette Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean38no

I loved this book. I had always wondered about China and its people. To hear the story of this brave women during the rise of Mao Ta Sung and the communists party in China is fascinating! I so well remember when I got to college everyone talking of his little red book. I had no idea how far China was behind other nations in technology and just decent treatment of their citizens. They were virtually slaves to the government! Anhua Gao parents were some of the people that were founders of the communist party in China . Their thinking that it would be better to get rid of the War Lords ,who treated the peasants like slaves . Socialism would help the people. From the lowest peasant to the highest person. All would be equal. Anthua sadly found this to not be true as she grew up. Her parents had died. They were considered Martyrs after their deaths. Anthua found there was still a system of hierarchy in the government . Mao was a dictator who kept his people behind a wall of deceit . Using lies of about the western countries and forcing them to use 18 century methods to do everyday living. While in western countries woman were using washing machines , vacuums, driving , working in high end jobs, dressing nicely. Mao used
A police force where one could be imprisoned on a whim. They used torture on many innocent people. Everyone was taught to spy on each other and tell the government about them. Millions of Chinese died under his regime . Anhua found herself in an abusive marriage. Stuck in a dead end job earning little pay. Woman were not as esteemed as men. Because she was a highly educated women she wanted better for herself and her child. Anhua went through many, many trials and tribulation. From jobs to imprisonment . She seemed get the strength to forge through them. In the end she did find true love .
I like how the author wrote about China you were drawn in from the first page to the last . As if you were living the times too. So many political incidents happened during the time I was growing up. I remember many of the incidents from reading about them and seeing them on tv. Especially the student massacre . A very good read!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was perhaps one of the most interesting biographies I have read. Anhua talks about the history of modern China through her own story. She tells us the roles her parents played in the revolution against Kuomintang, dreaming of a better future for China. Unfortunately problems continued after the Communist Party took over, eventually leading up to the Cultural Revolution where the aim was to be rid of the old but in fact, ordinary people were pitted against one another, their friends and family, instilling a deep sense of mistrust and suspicion in the community. Education and books were dismissed, intellectuals seen as traitors, unruly students and escalating violence led teachers to their deaths. After surviving through the Cultural Revolution, Anhua then suffered the injustice of a false accusation of being an enemy of the state. While many people were tortured and died in prison, a stroke of luck brought a kind judge to her case who stood firmly against the prosecution. I was so moved by this strangers kindness and his courageous stand for justice. There was absolutely no reason for him to bring danger upon himself and his family, and even less reason for him to continue providing help to Anhua after the trial. But thanks to his selflessness, Anhua and her daughter were able to stand on their feet again and did not starve to death in the days following her release from prison. Bless his beautiful soul. The world needs more kindness like this.

[Kate Southey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow. I have always categorised memoirs of living under Mao’s regime as ‘Wild Swans’ and ‘Not Wild Swans’ Anhua has changed all that. An incredible story that has joined my long time favourite on the top spot.
Anhua’s Story is told with such candour and yet always this spirit of knowing that something better is waiting for her. How anyone could cope with losing her parents is one thing, to then add blow after blow to one woman’s life and it is amazing that she carried on and still trusted other people.
This book really brought home to me that this was happening in my lifetime, a modern lifetime if you will, and how primitive life in China was when so much of the world was prospering, especially during the boom times of the 1980s.
I have only only a few small things that weren’t perfect for me. I felt the last 5 years rushed past so quickly and it felt a bit glossed over compared to all the day to day detail of the first 3/4 of the book. And the other thing was that there was no epilogue so that we could get a glimpse of her life at the edge of the sky. I am praying that this means a follow up book is planned. Please Anhua?

[Brigitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a well written vivid account of a communist family form the early communist years all the way up to the Deng reform years.The author describes in a factual way without bitterness what life in communist China authoritarian regime was like. Thus the story of Anhua Gao becomes a demonstration how dehumanizing life in communist China was/is. At the same time, it also shows that there are decent, supporting people found even in the most tenuous circumstances. This book is for everyone who wants to understand how life in communist China or any authoritarian regime functions, how it intrudes in every aspect of one's life and how one can not escape. It is different on two accounts, firstly it spans from the communist struggle for survival all the way up to 1989 the year of Tiananmen. Secondly, it is rare that a book gives the all-embracing rules and regulations which control the life of the citizen in the regime.

[Tony Riches · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anhua Gao's To The Edge of the Sky is a vivid first-hand account of one woman's struggle to against impossible odds. For me, the examples of cruel injustice and betrayal by her own family and colleagues were the most shocking aspects of her story.

Amazingly, Gao and others learn to forgive, and there are many touching examples of people risking their own lives to protect others. In particular, she is helped by a senior judge, who could have so easily have turned his back but instead saves her life, and most probably that of her young daughter.

Gao's story is a 'must-read' for anyone who wishes to understand modern China. For the first time, I was able to see how the communist regime was able to develop and thrive. I also feel I have an insight into how anyone could live under such extreme oppression. I admire Gao's strength in adversity, although there were times when I wondered how she could possibly survive.

[Morag Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This autobiography tells the story of growing up in Mao’s China. Through Gao’s eyes we see the beginnings of communism in China and all the hope that came with that and then as time went on how much of that hope was shattered. This book definitely hit me emotionally and was hard to read at point. It showed me how much I don’t know about events like the Cultural Revolution and just how much hardship and loss there was. Gap’s personal journey and determination never to give up are inspiring.
My only negative, and this is more a reflection on me, is the way she talked about her siblings at points. It could feel lacking in empathy and I wondered how they might feel about how they have been portrayed in this book.

[Ron Matsu · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing view of Mao 's China by an insider

We hear so much about China and it's recent political history but often wonder what the people who experienced that history felt like and what is the true story. This beautiful story of a woman and her family is the most powerful description of the events and atmosphere during the eventful history from just before Mao through his time as the leader of the most populated country in the world to the post Mao era. I feel very comfortable about my understanding of China and it's people now.

[Noah Oanh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good read if you are interested in Chinese modern history.
It is a story about Gao's personal experiences with the broader historical context of China's tumultuous 20th century. Spoiler alert: You would witness her childhood innocence shattered by the Cultural Revolution, her family torn apart by political persecution, and her own harrowing journey of survival and resilience.
Her honesty about the suffering she endured, and the betrayal she experienced from those closest to her, is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

[Beth Younge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was enthralled by this book. The pacing and the way that Gao tells her story is incredible. My own knowledge of the history off China was patchy and Gao did an amazing job explaining about all the political changes. The way that this is written makes you feel for the hardships she goes through. It is a fascinating read as it shows the effects that the political situation in China from the 40s to the 90s had on the citizens there.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful memoir!
Anhua Gao depicts her life, growing up in a country who's government demand undying loyalty, regardless of whether you agree with their decisions or not. To go against their orders could mean loss of reputation, employment, home, family members turning their backs on you, imprisonment and even death!
A very educational and emotionally touching read.
Thank you for sharing your story.

[car · Rating 4 out of 5]

super dense bcs it also marked a lot of political events, because anhua’s life was during a time of political unrest. it rly shows how tumultuous life can be because of world events and that today’s peaceful life sometimes may be taken for granted given how these struggles faced did not happen that long ago! anhua’s story is truly heart-wrenching and it really gives insight of the human condition back then.

[Sharon K F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and aggravating. The story is fascinating, all that Anhua lived through is a story of the triumph of the human spirit. What she was put through by the cruel, harsh, and senseless actions of people in charge of the communist regime in China, especially in the 60s but also all the way through is aggravating. Important reading for everyone and well written, too.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing educational and uplifting

I have never left a review before I have read many books but this truly opened my eyes. I have done so much learning but was gob smacked that I did not know what had gone on in China. I have a new found respect and love for the Chinese people. The best book I have read

[Hannah Symonds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a moving story that I could not wait to delve deeper into Anhua's story. There are highs and lows, tears and laughter in this beautifully descriptive book. To find out what really happened in China in the 20 th Century and how it affected Anhua is incredible. A really touching read. 

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing autobiography, what an inspiration the author. I couldn’t put this story down once I started it, a very interesting read which gave huge insight into life in China. I just hope the author is now enjoying life still and settled in the UK still.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible. It is a scary read at this point in time because it is reflective at what is beginning to take place here in the US. Everyone should read this at least once, especially those that seem to think that socialism or communism are good ideas to implement (spoiler: They Aren't).

[Lucas Calestini · Rating 3 out of 5]

I eventually liked this book, and it was a really good way to understand a little more of China through the life of Gao Anhua. I had a bit of a hard time navigating the writing style. It felt repetitive and a bit tiring.

7/10. Recommend for the power of the story.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent autobiography of living in Communist China.

[Patrice Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was great sorry but just went on and on. Just not my thing so I didn’t finish it.