De unul singur: memoriile unui membru al Gărzilor Roșii

American Lives

by Fan Shen, Mugur Zlotea (trad.)

În 1966, Fan Shen, în vârstă de 12 ani, devine membru al Gărzilor Roșii, fiind antrenat astfel în tăvălugul Revoluției Culturale din China. Entuziasmul inițial este urmat foarte curând de dezamăgire, dezgust și teamă, când înțelege că devine complice la torturarea și uciderea dușmanilor politici. De unul singur nu este doar relatarea experiențelor unui tânăr care se maturizează într-o epocă a terorii, ci și o neașteptată poveste picarescă: Shen reușește, prin curaj, viclenie, istețime, tenacitate și inventivitate, urmând un drum presărat cu pericole și capcane, să evadeze dintr-un regim opresiv și să iasă învingător în lupta cu sistemul.

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

344 pages, Paperback

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...

[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.

[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.

[Dwight]

http://bookcents.blogspot.com/2011/07...

A memoir that lives up to its billing, Gang of One relays some of Fan Shen’s experiences during the Cultural Revolution and his struggle to leave China. His disillusionment and reaction leads to a triumph of the will and intellect. One aspect of his book I though might resonate with blook bloggers/readers was the recurring theme of the importance of literature in his life. A few examples of this theme in the book:

- The book opens with Shen’s participation in a book burning event at the start of the Cultural Revolution. Eager to participate, knowing it will earn admiration from his “revolutionary” parents, the rebuke he earns from his sister (whose books he took from her shelves) stings him.
- One of Shen’s childhood friends takes him to a house used for storage of confiscated “bourgeois” property, their target a room that includes stacks of books. Grabbing a set of world literature in addition to other books he becomes enamored with heroes in books such as The Red and the Black and Martin Eden. “Love of Life” is another London story that later provides symbolic importance to Shen.
- Shen’s interaction with Li Ling, an intelligent woman from a formerly privileged family, inspires him to read widely and deeply in order to understand and discuss the books she mentions. His chance meetings with Li Ling over the years sound like something out of Doctor Zhivago.
- Forced to report to state agents once a month, Shen spins tales designed to baffle and bore the investigators that include twists and turns from Maupassant and O. Henry stories.

When reading a history book’s sweeping, calculated acts of cruelty on this scale it’s easy to lose sight of the plight of individuals as the body count rises to the hundreds of thousands or millions. Shen’s book does not attempt to transcend his experience or try to explain what happened from 1966 until his escape in 1985 on a national level, instead choosing to relay his experiences as well as that of the individuals whose paths he crossed, whether it was someone who strove to escape or tried to succeed in the administrative games. Those who stumble through their assigned life or attempt to escape through suicide provide some of the most poignant moments in the book.

Shen’s thoughts as he flies from China to the U.S. summarize the lengthy struggle it took to escape:
Through my blurred vision, I looked at the crystal water in my hand and thought of the bittersweet victory that I had won. After trying to escape for so many years—four years in the countryside, six years in the aircraft factory, four years in college, and two years in Tanggu and Tianjin—I had finally done it; I had beaten the Great Leader and I did not have to pretend to be a revolutionary anymore. … I took a sip of the salted water [from his tears], and for the first time in my life, I let my heart laugh.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really a great book. I have never read a book that has helped me to understand how people operate in a communist/dictatorship society as well as this book. I did wonder if the author was truly honest about his experience. He seems to observe lots of atrocities, but always be an innocent bystander who is much more sympathetic to western morality than the perpetrators. In the end, it doesn't really matter, because he is so insightful to the communist machine.

Something I learned from the book that doesn't have anything to do with the book is that I will be MUCH MORE cautious about trusting teachers' judgments about what my children should read in school. I thought very carefully before I wrote what follows, but I share it in the hopes that my friends will be more critical of the books their children bring home. I read this book because my 6th grade daughter read this for a class several years ago. It disturbed her, but because I really liked the teacher and trusted him, I brushed off her concerns and figured I would read the book sometime down the road. 4 years later I was shocked to read language and situations that have no business being assigned to a 6th grader. In my mind, 6th graders should not read about sex abuse between men and boys, have the f-word multiple times in books they are assigned, or read about someone's wedding night. None of these were overused, or written in a way that was explicit or offensive to me as an adult, but I don't recommend this book to the 11 and 12 year olds I know! The benefits of this book make it a must read for an adult, but I'm sure the teacher could have accomplished the same thing with a selection from the book or a different book.