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The Wedding Party
In this sprawling, award-winning novel, celebrated Chinese writer Liu Xinwu cordially invites you to an epic, riotous, and moving neighborhood feast.
On a December morning in 1982, the courtyard of a Beijing siheyuan—a lively quadrangle of homes—begins to stir. Auntie Xue’s son Jiyue is getting married today, and she is determined to make the day a triumph. Despite Jiyue’s woeful ignorance in matters of the heart—and the body. Despite a chef in training tasked with the onerous responsibility of preparing the banquet. With a cross-generational multitude of guests, from anxious family members to a fretful bridal party—not to mention exasperating friends, interfering neighbors, and wedding crashers—what will the day ahead bring?
Set at a pivotal point after the turmoil of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Liu Xinwu’s tale weaves together a rich tapestry of characters, intertwined lives, and stories within stories. The Wedding Party is a touching, hilarious portrait of life in this singular city, all packed into a Beijing courtyard on a single day that manages to be both perfectly normal and utterly extraordinary at the same time.
On a December morning in 1982, the courtyard of a Beijing siheyuan—a lively quadrangle of homes—begins to stir. Auntie Xue’s son Jiyue is getting married today, and she is determined to make the day a triumph. Despite Jiyue’s woeful ignorance in matters of the heart—and the body. Despite a chef in training tasked with the onerous responsibility of preparing the banquet. With a cross-generational multitude of guests, from anxious family members to a fretful bridal party—not to mention exasperating friends, interfering neighbors, and wedding crashers—what will the day ahead bring?
Set at a pivotal point after the turmoil of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Liu Xinwu’s tale weaves together a rich tapestry of characters, intertwined lives, and stories within stories. The Wedding Party is a touching, hilarious portrait of life in this singular city, all packed into a Beijing courtyard on a single day that manages to be both perfectly normal and utterly extraordinary at the same time.
399 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1984
132 people are currently reading
2824 people want to read
About the author
Liu Xinwu
131 books12 followersLiu Xinwu (Chinese: 刘心武; born June 1942) is a Chinese author, and one of the earliest proponents of the post-Maoist wave of Chinese literature.
Born in the province of Sichuan, his family moved to Beijing, a city that figures prominently in his work, in 1950. Liu spent most of his life in Beijing, except for a brief period during the Cultural Revolution, when he was sent to work in rural China.
His short story, "Class counsellor" (also translated as "The Class Teacher"; Chinese: 班主任; pinyin: bān zhǔrèn) published in 1977 was one of the earliest examples of prose condemning the excesses of the Chinese government during the Cultural Revolution. His work has sometimes been referred to as scar literature, though this assessment is disputed.
Liu filled editorial positions in a number of prominent government-sponsored publications throughout most of the 1980s. In 1987, however, he was removed as editor of the publication People's Literature after a story published failed to meet government approval. He left all his government positions after the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 because of continual harassment from the government for his pro-demonstrator stance. Since then, he has devoted himself entirely to his writing.
Liu's work, which includes novels, short stories, and children's literature, focuses on the common people of Beijing and people who live on the margins of society.
Since the early 1990s Liu has also been engaging in Redology, also known as studies of the famous 18th-century Chinese novel Dream of the Red Chamber. Liu takes on the controversial stance that in studying this famous Qing novel, the researcher's point of departure should be the figure of Qin Keqing, thus authoring the branch of Qin studies (Chinese: 秦學; pinyin: qínxué) within redology. In 2006 Liu gave a talk at Columbia University introducing this concept. Liu has also published on The Dream with the famous redologist Zhou Ruchang.
(from Wikipedia)
Born in the province of Sichuan, his family moved to Beijing, a city that figures prominently in his work, in 1950. Liu spent most of his life in Beijing, except for a brief period during the Cultural Revolution, when he was sent to work in rural China.
His short story, "Class counsellor" (also translated as "The Class Teacher"; Chinese: 班主任; pinyin: bān zhǔrèn) published in 1977 was one of the earliest examples of prose condemning the excesses of the Chinese government during the Cultural Revolution. His work has sometimes been referred to as scar literature, though this assessment is disputed.
Liu filled editorial positions in a number of prominent government-sponsored publications throughout most of the 1980s. In 1987, however, he was removed as editor of the publication People's Literature after a story published failed to meet government approval. He left all his government positions after the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 because of continual harassment from the government for his pro-demonstrator stance. Since then, he has devoted himself entirely to his writing.
Liu's work, which includes novels, short stories, and children's literature, focuses on the common people of Beijing and people who live on the margins of society.
Since the early 1990s Liu has also been engaging in Redology, also known as studies of the famous 18th-century Chinese novel Dream of the Red Chamber. Liu takes on the controversial stance that in studying this famous Qing novel, the researcher's point of departure should be the figure of Qin Keqing, thus authoring the branch of Qin studies (Chinese: 秦學; pinyin: qínxué) within redology. In 2006 Liu gave a talk at Columbia University introducing this concept. Liu has also published on The Dream with the famous redologist Zhou Ruchang.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
November 25, 2023
Keep in mind that at the northernmost point of central Beijing stand the ancient Bell and Drum Towers. The Drum Tower in front, red walls and gray tiles. The Bell Tower behind, gray walls and green tiles.
The Drum Tower is squat, the Bell Tower slender. They no longer chime and boom at dawn and dusk, but to those who know, they remain majestic markers of time’s passage.
Là tác phẩm của nhà văn Liu Xinwu (Lưu Tâm Vũ), người đi đầu cho thể loại văn chương được gọi là Scar Literature (Văn học vết sẹo), xuất hiện sau Cách mạng văn hóa ở Trung Quốc. The Wedding Party hay tựa gốc 钟鼓楼 (Tháp chuông và tháp trống) là một cuốn sách đồ sộ với tầng lớp nhân vật dày đặc, bản thân mình không thích cách viết dài dòng của tác giả này, nhưng qua tác phẩm này ông ấy cho mình thấy rõ Scar Literature là thế nào cùng với những dấu ấn thời gian, đổi mới của xã hội Trung Quốc mà ông ấy nói đến cùng tháp chuông và tháp trống.
The Wedding Party lấy bối cảnh vào ngày 12/12/1982 tại Bắc Kinh, Trung Quốc. Tại một siheyuan (tứ hợp viên) nọ diễn ra buổi tiệc cưới, thông qua buổi tiệc cưới, mối quan hệ của những con người ở siheyuan và Bắc Kinh bắt được được lột tả cùng với những hoài niệm, đấu tranh, tình yêu, công việc và gia đình của họ trong một Trung Quốc đổi mới.
Các nhân vật trong cuốn sách vô cùng đa dạng, từ những tầng lớp lao động cho đến trí thức. Mình thích cái cách Liu Xinwu lồng ghép những yếu tố Lịch sử, chính trị, tâm linh, văn hóa và ẩm thực vào câu chuyện - xuyên suốt cuốn sách luôn tràn ngập những thông tin lịch sử - văn hóa Trung Quốc. Thông qua tiệc cưới của gia đình Xue, những hộ gia đình của siheyuan là mình có thể thấy rõ những tư tưởng cũ và mới đối lập và mâu thuẫn ra sao, từ quan niệm mê tín dị đoan, cổ hủ và truyền thống dần đổi mới, hiện đại hơn; không tránh khỏi những xung đột trong tư tưởng của hai thế hệ cũ và mới.
Mình thích nhất câu chuyện của gia đình Xun Lei và cô gái quê, Guo Xinger, nó hay và ý nghĩa, lột tả rõ thể loại Scar Literature. Xun Lei là một trong những người trẻ thuộc tầng lớp trí thức nghèo trong thời buổi khó khăn bị ảnh hưởng bởi Cách mạng văn hóa, nhưng không vì thế mà quyết tâm được học của Xun Lei mất đi; qua câu chuyện về quyết tâm của Xun Lei tác giả lột tả một xã hội mà tầng lớp trí thức nghèo bị đàn áp, quan tham thì đi cửa sau, tham ô hưởng lợi, nhưng sống tốt và đúng thì không sai - Xun Lei là minh chứng cho sự cố gắng, lòng yêu nước của cậu. Xinger, một cô gái nông thôn bị mắc kẹt giữa tư tưởng cổ hũ dành cho phụ nữ, với lòng dũng cảm và nhân hậu thì Xinger là một nhân vật đặc biệt với mình.
Những nhân vật khác cũng đặc biệt họ đầy đủ loại người, qua họ tác giả nói đến tình người, khi đọc về cuối truyện mình càng thấy ấm lòng vì sự cao thượng, nghĩa tình mà những con người Bắc Kinh dành cho nhau. Giữa hai thế hệ già và trẻ cùng chung sống không khỏi tránh được những xung đột trong tư tưởng của nhau, từ đó họ học cách đồng cảm và yêu thương nhau.
The years go by slowly. Time flows on without a pause. We arrive in this world, and the first thing we are aware of is the space that surrounds us. Its length, breadth, and height, how it’s filled with shapes, colors, and sounds. Then we realize there’s something alongside this space, something we can’t touch or hold or stop—time. Time moves constantly through the space we’re in, and that constitutes our life. It contains our joy, sorrow, rage, and pleasure, our lives, deaths, celebrations, and tears.
No one can possibly exist alone—we share our space with many, many others. This is what makes up society. In a single society, people have different ideas about class, political inclination, finances, mindsets, morality, education, personality, goals, physiology, competition, and opportunity, so they end up clashing, colliding with each other, trading blame, separating, sneering at or envying each other. At the same time, they must also rely on each other, come together in love or admiration, respect each other. All these fluid changes across society, looked at as a whole, make up our history. Yet from our individual viewpoints, they seem like destiny.
In the rush of time passing, how many people have felt or will feel this sacred sense of history, this solemn sense of fate?
Mình chỉ không thích cách viết quá dài dòng, đôi lúc mình cũng chẳng theo kịp những chi tiết mới và cũ trong chính trị mà tác giả nói đến, thậm chí cái kết khá là hụt hẫng. Nhưng để mà nói thì The Wedding Party giống như một dấu ấn của tác giả để lại, để mình thấy những đổi thay, đấu tranh của một Trung Quốc nói chung hay Bắc Kinh nói riêng. Những con người trong câu chuyện này như tháp chuông và tháp trống - chúng là dấu ấn thời gian của Bắc Kinh và từng báo thời gian cho tất cả mọi người, theo thời gian ai cũng có cho riêng mình một chiếc đồng hồ - đồng nghĩa cho việc họ có thời gian, tư tưởng và mơ ước cho riêng bản thân. Trong mắt của người già hay trẻ tháp chuông và tháp trống vẫn là dấu ấn đặc biệt của Bắc Kinh.
November 17, 2021
Set in 1982 Beijing during the cultural revolution, The Wedding Party is as an immersive read like no other about a lively and bustling day as Jiyue is set to marry, and the melange of characters - from meddling families and neighbors, to the anxious bride to be and all sorts imaginable like wedding crushers too. As an #ownvoice reviewer for this book, I can’t help but relate to the story, but the brilliance in this writing is the incredible back stories of each of the characters that everyone will relate to - it is a very human story - it will make you laugh, cry, cringe, and most of all enjoy this amazing story!
This is a must read!
This is a must read!
November 23, 2021
“The Wedding Party” (钟鼓楼), by Liu Xinwu, translated into English by Jeremy Tiang, is a Chinese literary classic, published originally in 1985. Set in Beijing, on December 12th, 1982, the story follows multiple characters living in a traditional siheyuan courtyard, in the neighborhood where the ancient Bell and Drum Towers stand watch over generations. The main event of the day that brings all the characters together is a wedding, as chaotic and hectic as weddings can get. In the chaos, the lives of multiple, ordinary Beijingers intersect, in positive and not so positive ways. What makes this book stand out though, is the detailed life accounts of these ordinary characters. In less than 400 pages, Liu Xinwu manages to bring to life an impressive cast of characters, each with a fully fleshed out personality and life story.
Winner of one of the most prestigious literary prizes in China, the Mao Dunn Literature Prize, this novel is profusely character driven and infused with Chinese history. Time and perspective play a great part in the story, and the author strives to show how the same amount of passing time and historical events affect individual lives in different ways. The point of view of the omnipresent narrator worked perfectly well in this story. From the enticing chapter subtitles, aimed at stirring the reader’s curiosity, to the openly asked questions in the chapters posed by the narrator, this was a different way of storytelling than what I am used to, but I loved every moment of it. I am a big fan of novels where characters’ lives become intertwined in unexpected ways, and I felt this book delivers amazingly in that respect. I became very invested in all the characters’ stories, and I can wholeheartedly say that I didn’t want this book to end. I would have happily read another 400 pages about these characters, or other people living ordinary lives in Beijing. I also must say that the cover illustration, illustrated by Xinmei Liu, is one of the most beautiful covers I’ve seen, and encompasses the spirit of the book perfectly.
If you love character driven stories, and like peeking into people’s lives, then this book is definitely for you. There are few books out there that upon finishing I immediately thought I want to reread, but this is one of those. I am very happy and grateful this book is now accessible to the English speaking world, and I hope to read more of Liu Xinwu’s works in translation soon.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, OTPR & Amazon Publishing for the gifted copy and for inviting me to be part of their virtual blog tour. All opinions are my own, honest, opinions.
Winner of one of the most prestigious literary prizes in China, the Mao Dunn Literature Prize, this novel is profusely character driven and infused with Chinese history. Time and perspective play a great part in the story, and the author strives to show how the same amount of passing time and historical events affect individual lives in different ways. The point of view of the omnipresent narrator worked perfectly well in this story. From the enticing chapter subtitles, aimed at stirring the reader’s curiosity, to the openly asked questions in the chapters posed by the narrator, this was a different way of storytelling than what I am used to, but I loved every moment of it. I am a big fan of novels where characters’ lives become intertwined in unexpected ways, and I felt this book delivers amazingly in that respect. I became very invested in all the characters’ stories, and I can wholeheartedly say that I didn’t want this book to end. I would have happily read another 400 pages about these characters, or other people living ordinary lives in Beijing. I also must say that the cover illustration, illustrated by Xinmei Liu, is one of the most beautiful covers I’ve seen, and encompasses the spirit of the book perfectly.
If you love character driven stories, and like peeking into people’s lives, then this book is definitely for you. There are few books out there that upon finishing I immediately thought I want to reread, but this is one of those. I am very happy and grateful this book is now accessible to the English speaking world, and I hope to read more of Liu Xinwu’s works in translation soon.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, OTPR & Amazon Publishing for the gifted copy and for inviting me to be part of their virtual blog tour. All opinions are my own, honest, opinions.
dnf-lost-interest
June 15, 2021Dnf at 23%.
I don’t think this book was for me. I had expected it to contain a funny story about how chaotic a wedding is with eccentric characters adding to the confusion. It clearly is not only that. Don’t get me wrong, it does present a picture of a chaotic wedding with an apprehensive mother of the bridegroom, scared for her son’s big day. She wants everything to go well and is taking it out on her other daughter in law. All fun and frolic, but my main issue was the tangents the author goes on.
The book is not focused on one point and goes to talk in detail about each character’s life. After reading about multiple characters and their lives in detail, even spanning few generations above them I really got bored. I did not see the point of reading thoroughly about each characters life. Was it necessary for the story, idk, I couldn’t wait to find out as my patience wore thin. I think if it would’ve been done a little more cohesively and I would’ve been able to see the connection of it to the main plot, I would’ve definitely read ahead, as I’m always all ears to know more about a character. This is not fleshing out of characters, this is simply going on and on about something and then not adding what substance it’s providing to the story as a whole.
I did not feel the plot as a whole and just as if I’m reading big chunks of information in the vicinity of the main plot but not really connected. An example would be of how the author talks about a fable in which a wastrel princeling kidnaps a girl and then when a supposed hero comes to know about it through her parents, goes and wounds the Prince by gouging out his eyes. Whether she’s saved is not written and I really didn’t see how this tale contributed to the story. There are many such instances and stories around characters lives which I did not see the point of.
Also, now having read multiple translations of different languages, I feel this one really lacked the finesse of pulling a reader into the book. The tenses in some parts really felt off and the overall tone of the book didn’t really click with me.
Also being a non-Chinese person, remembering so many names became a tad bit difficult but I would rather consider it my fault than the author’s. I was really hoping to enjoy this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher AmazonCrossing for this ARC.
I don’t think this book was for me. I had expected it to contain a funny story about how chaotic a wedding is with eccentric characters adding to the confusion. It clearly is not only that. Don’t get me wrong, it does present a picture of a chaotic wedding with an apprehensive mother of the bridegroom, scared for her son’s big day. She wants everything to go well and is taking it out on her other daughter in law. All fun and frolic, but my main issue was the tangents the author goes on.
The book is not focused on one point and goes to talk in detail about each character’s life. After reading about multiple characters and their lives in detail, even spanning few generations above them I really got bored. I did not see the point of reading thoroughly about each characters life. Was it necessary for the story, idk, I couldn’t wait to find out as my patience wore thin. I think if it would’ve been done a little more cohesively and I would’ve been able to see the connection of it to the main plot, I would’ve definitely read ahead, as I’m always all ears to know more about a character. This is not fleshing out of characters, this is simply going on and on about something and then not adding what substance it’s providing to the story as a whole.
I did not feel the plot as a whole and just as if I’m reading big chunks of information in the vicinity of the main plot but not really connected. An example would be of how the author talks about a fable in which a wastrel princeling kidnaps a girl and then when a supposed hero comes to know about it through her parents, goes and wounds the Prince by gouging out his eyes. Whether she’s saved is not written and I really didn’t see how this tale contributed to the story. There are many such instances and stories around characters lives which I did not see the point of.
Also, now having read multiple translations of different languages, I feel this one really lacked the finesse of pulling a reader into the book. The tenses in some parts really felt off and the overall tone of the book didn’t really click with me.
Also being a non-Chinese person, remembering so many names became a tad bit difficult but I would rather consider it my fault than the author’s. I was really hoping to enjoy this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher AmazonCrossing for this ARC.
June 28, 2022
I didn’t like this book. I thought it would be a great book with a chaotic wedding but somehow I felt disappointed. Don’t get me wrong. I liked that some parts were funny and chaotic but I just couldn’t bring myself to like this book as a whole.
Mostly because of the followings
1. Too many characters
2. Too long paragraphs. Too much of info dump
3. The plot is messy. Like it’s all over the place
However, I liked that I learned a thing or two about Chinese culture and their wedding.
Thank you Times Reads for sending me The Wedding Party in exchange for an honest review.
Mostly because of the followings
1. Too many characters
2. Too long paragraphs. Too much of info dump
3. The plot is messy. Like it’s all over the place
However, I liked that I learned a thing or two about Chinese culture and their wedding.
Thank you Times Reads for sending me The Wedding Party in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2022
I thought this was simply marvellous. I was hooked from the first page. Set on a single day, 12th December 1982, it centres around a wedding party arranged by Auntie Xue for her son Jiyue. In spite of her meticulous planning, things soon begin to spiral out of her control. Although the wedding is the central conceit of the novel, it develops into something far more panoramic and all-embracing. People come and go throughout the day and we learn about each of them. Their backstories, their present circumstances, their hopes and desires. Yes, there are a lot of characters, but each is described in such detail that it’s not difficult to remember who’s who – although naturally the names need concentration. They are sometimes quirky, sometimes unsympathetic, but always human. Set in a specific time and place, the novel refers back to the recent past and looks forward to a changing future as modernity begins to creep in and affect the inhabitants of this siheyuan. (Look up siheyuans, I had to, and it’s worth it….)We learn how the Cultural Revolution upended people’s lives and how the generation who grew up during it has been forever affected. The past is still present but all the characters have somehow adapted to the new China. We learn about the intricacies and details of everyday life. There’s satire here, but gentle satire, humour, but gentle humour. All the characters are treated with equal insight and empathy. Much Chinese history is referred to but lightly, and it’s never didactic. The reader simply absorbs it all and thus becomes absorbed in Beijing life just as the characters do. An entertaining, enjoyable and informative read.
January 8, 2022
[2.5/5 stars]
December, 1982 - Aunt Xue's younger son Jiyue is getting married and this is the event which THE WEDDING PARTY revolves around.
WHAT I LIKED:
- the whole book is laden with social commentary on Beijing society regarding classism and poverty. The decent characterization smartly portrays the life of beijingers, providing the impact of Chinese Cultural revolution on the characters
- spanning a few generations, we witness how the characters' (guests and hosts) background justifies their decision and behavior
- funny and chaotic at times, I enjoyed Xinwu's fluid prose
- I most appreciated the cultural elements in this book, such as "siheyuan", a historical type of residence commonly found in China, most famously in Beijing. It was a good way to understand urban society in the late feudal period.
- I found the epilogue more interesting, bringing philosophy about time and its association with some characters
NOT SO MUCH:
- the huge cast of characters was confusing and it would be easier if there was a "family tree" (as a Chinese reader, I would also have loved to see the names written in Chinese)
- the long paragraphs felt dense and distracting
- the plot often felt all over the place, needing a better cohesion
- there were many moments which I thought something is missing - I would try to read this book in its original language
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Amazon Crossing - in exchange for an honest review ]
December, 1982 - Aunt Xue's younger son Jiyue is getting married and this is the event which THE WEDDING PARTY revolves around.
WHAT I LIKED:
- the whole book is laden with social commentary on Beijing society regarding classism and poverty. The decent characterization smartly portrays the life of beijingers, providing the impact of Chinese Cultural revolution on the characters
- spanning a few generations, we witness how the characters' (guests and hosts) background justifies their decision and behavior
- funny and chaotic at times, I enjoyed Xinwu's fluid prose
- I most appreciated the cultural elements in this book, such as "siheyuan", a historical type of residence commonly found in China, most famously in Beijing. It was a good way to understand urban society in the late feudal period.
- I found the epilogue more interesting, bringing philosophy about time and its association with some characters
NOT SO MUCH:
- the huge cast of characters was confusing and it would be easier if there was a "family tree" (as a Chinese reader, I would also have loved to see the names written in Chinese)
- the long paragraphs felt dense and distracting
- the plot often felt all over the place, needing a better cohesion
- there were many moments which I thought something is missing - I would try to read this book in its original language
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Amazon Crossing - in exchange for an honest review ]
December 18, 2021
I just upped my star rating for this from 3 to 4 because, although it was at times a bit slow going, this book has stayed with me over these past weeks. It is really quite an extraordinary achievement and I want to kudos that (if kudos can be verbed).
The tapestry of interlinked stories can be bewildering, especially if you have name recognition issues (like me) which are then exacerbated by unfamiliar name conventions (i.e. Chinese). But I sketched a diagram of the house they all live in on the back on an envelope (literally) and wrote in all the people who live in the various apartments or visit there, and that made it much easier. And they are a wonderful tapestry indeed: a stressed opera singer, a jealous factory worker, a beleaguered editor, a shy technical report writer, a kindly cobbler, a handsome scholar, a diffident but astoundingly skillful cook, a bully boy who then repents, a sales clerk at a photo studio who is also a bride, and a host of other characters. Each character is a rounded individual, and each character comes with a history. And I loved the fact that they all had professions and that this was important.
It is the history that makes this book. It is like a real-life version of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings with its palimpsest of histories but instead of the First and Second Ages and so forth, we have the time of the emperor, the war, the liberation, the famine, the cultural revolution. We have party cadres and we have ordinary people. And everybody has lived through some of these historical events. Everyone is marked, traumatised, shaped by them.
The city of Beijing is a main character in this story of a day in the life. And the day in the life includes preparations for a party, much like Virginia Woolf's day in the life of Mrs Dalloway.
The vision of humanity is generous in this book.
Prompted to read this by the #readtheworld21 challenge: Greater China. Thank you, @end.notes and @anovelfamily for this challenge (now in its last month).
The tapestry of interlinked stories can be bewildering, especially if you have name recognition issues (like me) which are then exacerbated by unfamiliar name conventions (i.e. Chinese). But I sketched a diagram of the house they all live in on the back on an envelope (literally) and wrote in all the people who live in the various apartments or visit there, and that made it much easier. And they are a wonderful tapestry indeed: a stressed opera singer, a jealous factory worker, a beleaguered editor, a shy technical report writer, a kindly cobbler, a handsome scholar, a diffident but astoundingly skillful cook, a bully boy who then repents, a sales clerk at a photo studio who is also a bride, and a host of other characters. Each character is a rounded individual, and each character comes with a history. And I loved the fact that they all had professions and that this was important.
It is the history that makes this book. It is like a real-life version of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings with its palimpsest of histories but instead of the First and Second Ages and so forth, we have the time of the emperor, the war, the liberation, the famine, the cultural revolution. We have party cadres and we have ordinary people. And everybody has lived through some of these historical events. Everyone is marked, traumatised, shaped by them.
The city of Beijing is a main character in this story of a day in the life. And the day in the life includes preparations for a party, much like Virginia Woolf's day in the life of Mrs Dalloway.
The vision of humanity is generous in this book.
Prompted to read this by the #readtheworld21 challenge: Greater China. Thank you, @end.notes and @anovelfamily for this challenge (now in its last month).
December 5, 2021
Originally published in 1985, Liu Xinwu’s prize-winning The Wedding Party has finally been translated into English by Jeremy Tiang. With this translation, the post-Mao world of slowly rising middle-class China is open to new readers. Set on a winter day in the courtyard of what was once a wealthy person’s huge home but is now subdivided into many middle-class residences, this is the story of a shifting kaleidoscope of Beijing folks who come and go throughout a day-long wedding party thrown by retired grocery clerk Auntie Xue for her son Jiyue and his bride.
Don’t think for a moment that this is a comic Chinese version of The Big, Fat Greek Wedding. Xinwu provides humorous moments, yes. However, Liu Xinwu focuses not only on the Auntie Xue’s efforts to throw an impressive party but on the array attendees—family, friends, neighbors, and party crashers—and on their backstories, relationships, and thoughts about life, all rooted in and shaped by the oppressive Cultural Revolution under Mao Zedong and the Gang of Four. This is the story of the common people comprising 1980s Beijing. Readers will laugh a bit, but mostly they will learn.
My thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Crossing of an advance reader copy of this outstanding, complex look at Chinese life in the aftermath of Mao.
Don’t think for a moment that this is a comic Chinese version of The Big, Fat Greek Wedding. Xinwu provides humorous moments, yes. However, Liu Xinwu focuses not only on the Auntie Xue’s efforts to throw an impressive party but on the array attendees—family, friends, neighbors, and party crashers—and on their backstories, relationships, and thoughts about life, all rooted in and shaped by the oppressive Cultural Revolution under Mao Zedong and the Gang of Four. This is the story of the common people comprising 1980s Beijing. Readers will laugh a bit, but mostly they will learn.
My thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Crossing of an advance reader copy of this outstanding, complex look at Chinese life in the aftermath of Mao.
March 7, 2022
This book was a bit more sprawling and heftier than I thought - it took me longer to get through than I had intended, but I’m really glad I took the time to read it. This book taught me about Chinese culture, but also exposed me to some very poetic writing.
First, I learned so much about culture. Having lived in China and a life-long learner of Chinese culture and history, this book taught me so much! I love that he listed a timeline at the back of the book to explain key cultural events. In a post-Mao Beijing, there is so much happening in everyone’s lives, no matter the age or generation. Knowing so much detail of everyone’s lives I think, is key to capturing the collectivist idea of how many pieces can create a whole. The original publication of this book was 1984, I think, and I feel like that gives incredible insight into a Beijing life at that time in history.
I also love how he used the myth at the beginning of the book to tie the entire narrative together. The Bell & Drum towers have been in place for hundreds of years, yet while they remain, the people, places, and culture around them change and evolve. Liu Xinwu poetically ties this all together, showing how ancient myths and a 1982 Beijing can relate in regards to time.
Keeping in mind that this is a translation, I enjoyed the actual translation itself! Sometimes those aren’t always the easiest to follow, and I also loved the cultural aspect of a brief summary of each chapter.
Finally, I loved the last page of this book when he asks a series of questions that the reader is probably asking. To me, that just feels like a good writer. He didn’t answer a lot of questions or resolve a lot, if any, of the stories, but he uses the idea of time to demonstrate how the reader doesn’t need to know the perfect ending. Isn’t that the whole idea of the book? Time keeps moving forward despite what happens in our lives.
Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in Chinese culture and a great story!
First, I learned so much about culture. Having lived in China and a life-long learner of Chinese culture and history, this book taught me so much! I love that he listed a timeline at the back of the book to explain key cultural events. In a post-Mao Beijing, there is so much happening in everyone’s lives, no matter the age or generation. Knowing so much detail of everyone’s lives I think, is key to capturing the collectivist idea of how many pieces can create a whole. The original publication of this book was 1984, I think, and I feel like that gives incredible insight into a Beijing life at that time in history.
I also love how he used the myth at the beginning of the book to tie the entire narrative together. The Bell & Drum towers have been in place for hundreds of years, yet while they remain, the people, places, and culture around them change and evolve. Liu Xinwu poetically ties this all together, showing how ancient myths and a 1982 Beijing can relate in regards to time.
Keeping in mind that this is a translation, I enjoyed the actual translation itself! Sometimes those aren’t always the easiest to follow, and I also loved the cultural aspect of a brief summary of each chapter.
Finally, I loved the last page of this book when he asks a series of questions that the reader is probably asking. To me, that just feels like a good writer. He didn’t answer a lot of questions or resolve a lot, if any, of the stories, but he uses the idea of time to demonstrate how the reader doesn’t need to know the perfect ending. Isn’t that the whole idea of the book? Time keeps moving forward despite what happens in our lives.
Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in Chinese culture and a great story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2022
Don’t expect a plot or any character’s struggle being put to rest in the one day in which this novel is set. But to make up for that lack of a traditional story, we get to explore the many twists and turns each character’s personal journey has taken leading up to this point, just like we might like to meander and get lost in Beijing’s few remaining hutongs. So many personal stories bring color and authenticity to the Chinese experience from the Revolution to when it started to open up.
And the references to time that are interwoven in the story also mark the passage of time between the past and the fast-approaching, modern future — old-fashioned ways of marking time with the Drum and Bell Towers, the watches that are Chinese-made (and stop working soon after they’re purchased), and the foreign-made watch that not only tells time but marks status.
The list of characters and the map of the siheyuan at the start of the novel are essential references, as is a timeline of the major events in China 1949 - 1982. Also check out a few pictures of the Drum and Bell Towers to get an idea of how they loom over the sprawling hutong neighborhoods surrounding them.
For those who have visited/lived in Beijing this also is a rich history of places you’ve wandered. When I lived there 2008-2013 people were wondering what the fate would be of the hutong communities as the city modernized. Apparently people have been wondering about that fate since at least 1982.
And the references to time that are interwoven in the story also mark the passage of time between the past and the fast-approaching, modern future — old-fashioned ways of marking time with the Drum and Bell Towers, the watches that are Chinese-made (and stop working soon after they’re purchased), and the foreign-made watch that not only tells time but marks status.
The list of characters and the map of the siheyuan at the start of the novel are essential references, as is a timeline of the major events in China 1949 - 1982. Also check out a few pictures of the Drum and Bell Towers to get an idea of how they loom over the sprawling hutong neighborhoods surrounding them.
For those who have visited/lived in Beijing this also is a rich history of places you’ve wandered. When I lived there 2008-2013 people were wondering what the fate would be of the hutong communities as the city modernized. Apparently people have been wondering about that fate since at least 1982.
May 30, 2023
While I initially found this difficult to get into, the various perspectives layer and build into an immersive and intimate portrait of an 80s neighbourhood in Beijing. More than just an evocation of place, this is an intricate exploration of the community experience of history as much as a comedy of manners and record of contemporary social expectations and rituals. I maintain that it is tricky to follow at times due to the large cast of characters/relationships at play which, although unavoidable considering the scope of the work, can prove irksome when a new seemingly unrelated and uninteresting characters enter the frey.
Finally, Zhan Liying is an icon and I would read hundreds of pages about her horrible personality.
Finally, Zhan Liying is an icon and I would read hundreds of pages about her horrible personality.
October 15, 2022
Intricate read: All events occur during a single day with the character's backgrounds and subplots tied in well together without the need for plot closure, leaving the reader feeling a deep sense of reflection upon finishing. I enjoyed the Chinese cultural aspect of the book too! While the book is set in post-Mao China (the 1980s), the underlying theme renders the book timeless.
September 7, 2025
In the introduction the author compares this novel to the scroll painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival and I think that's spot on. A rich tapestry of life.
July 7, 2024
Wherever you are, weddings are a big deal. Families pull out all the stops to keep up appearances (and mostly within the constraints of their budget). The bride and groom are feted with good food and gifts. Guests, too, partake in the bounty so that they can spread the word about what a good time was had by all. And I imagine that, once it’s all over, the hosts breathe out a huge sigh of relief. Given the cultural importance of such an event, it’s not surprising that Liu Xinwu uses a wedding in a cramped siheyuan in Beijing to not only explore the push and pull of wedding traditions in The Wedding Party, but also the tangled relationships of the siheyuan‘s inhabitants, friends, relatives, and coworkers. This brilliant novel—excellently translated by Jeremy Tiang—is a whole world in 400 pages...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
November 24, 2021
DNF @ 77%
I expected this book to be a funny story about a chaotic wedding and how people are in that time, but it wasn`t that. Sadly. It was too much info dump and things happening… I was just bored most of the times, I really wanted to try to finish it but I could not.
I expected this book to be a funny story about a chaotic wedding and how people are in that time, but it wasn`t that. Sadly. It was too much info dump and things happening… I was just bored most of the times, I really wanted to try to finish it but I could not.
December 30, 2023
3.5
Definitely a love letter for Beijing. I think this was endearing and I liked going through the history of Beijing especially when the Communists started getting into power, and I enjoyed it more seeing the story unfold through the common people's eyes - that experience made it more charming in a way. I think I would have preferred to read this than to listen to it, so I will hunt down a copy of the physical version cause I think this was interesting.
I also am confused if a wedding did happen, as I was more interested in the rise of the Communist Party and it didn't help that the characters were also just as interested in the Communist Party than they were their own weddings. But I still enjoyed the story. I did mark this down because I think it was too long at times, and I couldn't understand where the characters are related, so it felt more like a series of short stories than a complete novel.
Definitely a love letter for Beijing. I think this was endearing and I liked going through the history of Beijing especially when the Communists started getting into power, and I enjoyed it more seeing the story unfold through the common people's eyes - that experience made it more charming in a way. I think I would have preferred to read this than to listen to it, so I will hunt down a copy of the physical version cause I think this was interesting.
I also am confused if a wedding did happen, as I was more interested in the rise of the Communist Party and it didn't help that the characters were also just as interested in the Communist Party than they were their own weddings. But I still enjoyed the story. I did mark this down because I think it was too long at times, and I couldn't understand where the characters are related, so it felt more like a series of short stories than a complete novel.
July 31, 2021
***Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review***
This book provided so much more than what was promised. At first, I was expecting it to be a comedic story about a wedding and all the shenanigans of the various people involved, but instead I was met with extremely detailed character sketches, political commentary, mythology, history, sociology, and so much more. Liu Xinwu packed an incredible amount into this one book, and I could see it being used as a text from which to learn more about Chinese culture and history. That's not to say that it's dry, though. Each character is fully fleshed out in terms of back story, motives, and inner conflict. Throughout the chaotic day, they fluctuate in their moods and stances in a very real way. I'm really glad to have stumbled upon this!
This book provided so much more than what was promised. At first, I was expecting it to be a comedic story about a wedding and all the shenanigans of the various people involved, but instead I was met with extremely detailed character sketches, political commentary, mythology, history, sociology, and so much more. Liu Xinwu packed an incredible amount into this one book, and I could see it being used as a text from which to learn more about Chinese culture and history. That's not to say that it's dry, though. Each character is fully fleshed out in terms of back story, motives, and inner conflict. Throughout the chaotic day, they fluctuate in their moods and stances in a very real way. I'm really glad to have stumbled upon this!
January 2, 2022
This is definitely not your Crazy Rich Asians book! The book takes place over the course of one day-Dec 12, 1982 in China. Families living in one of the Siheyuan courtyards in Beijing is getting ready to celebrate the marriage of the youngest son of Auntie Xue. The book revolves around the wedding but also has an entire cast of other characters that have their own sub stories that happen throughout the course of the same day. I loved reading about the wedding customs of the Chinese culture. There were many characters in the book with similar looking names that it was really helpful that at the beginning of the book there is a page with all the characters names and what their roles are. I learned a lot about the history of China pre and post cultural revolution.
August 6, 2023
A bubbling hot pot of a story with multiple characters, all residents of a small housing building in Beijing. The novel takes place over the course of a day when a wedding is being held for the son of one of the residents. As the hours pass, we learn several individual histories and how they intersect with their neighbors. There is a good deal of humor in the book (Nanny Zhan !!) and a fabulous glimpse into everyday life and culture in Beijing of thirty years ago. I found the book quite enjoyable, though by the end, there were just too many characters and I was losing track of who was who. Of course the fact that I am unfamiliar with Chinese names didn't help - so many Xs and Zs had me muddled. Overall, an excellent and enjoyable read.
September 27, 2022
I think this novel manages to be too polyphonic and too panoramic to really function well as a novel for me. Too many characters with too many non-intersecting storylines telling too diffuse of a story to really hold together, no matter how many literary tricks Liu throws in.
It's fascinating for its depiction of 1980s Beijing, though. This is the real character of the novel and the only one that matters, which is why there are so many voices doing so many disparate things throughout this single day in the novel. But, I don't know. It just hangs too roughly together for me.
Your mileage may vary.
It's fascinating for its depiction of 1980s Beijing, though. This is the real character of the novel and the only one that matters, which is why there are so many voices doing so many disparate things throughout this single day in the novel. But, I don't know. It just hangs too roughly together for me.
Your mileage may vary.
April 17, 2024
Book club selection- learned a lot about China’s history from 1940s through 1980s and how the Cultural Revolution affected ordinary people. Author describes very likable human people; however, I had to make a list of all the characters. The Wedding Party held the book together, which was really more about the people who lived in and visited the Siheyuan during the day of the wedding.
February 21, 2024
truly has never seen SO many characters with in-depth background dive cramped into one book (which im kinda amazed by)
the chinese communism parts-which are also in great lengths-are not for me tho 😴😴😴
the chinese communism parts-which are also in great lengths-are not for me tho 😴😴😴
November 30, 2021
Netgalley provided me with this novel in exchange for an honest opinion.
This book that I'd never heard of is apparently a Chinese classic about the lives of modest Chinese people living in the 1980s and before.
I can understand why it's a classic because it's basically a photograph of China at that time and all that took place during and after the revolution. The author begins with a wedding party (of course) and tells us a little about what are or have been the lives of the people attending it. Then, the wedding taking place in a sihehyuan (see picture below), we learn about the past and present of the people living there too.
[img]
My personal problem with this book is that there were so many characters that I had trouble remembering who was who and did what. I remembered some of them - and maybe the names didn't matter much, only the recounting of history did. This is a novel best read in one or two sittings, not putting it down and picking it up as I had to do. You should give it a minimum concentration, something I was not able to do at this moment, so I DNFed it at 40% approximately.
However, it did not repell me in the least and I'd love to pick it back later and give it all the attention it deserves.
This book that I'd never heard of is apparently a Chinese classic about the lives of modest Chinese people living in the 1980s and before.
I can understand why it's a classic because it's basically a photograph of China at that time and all that took place during and after the revolution. The author begins with a wedding party (of course) and tells us a little about what are or have been the lives of the people attending it. Then, the wedding taking place in a sihehyuan (see picture below), we learn about the past and present of the people living there too.
[img]
My personal problem with this book is that there were so many characters that I had trouble remembering who was who and did what. I remembered some of them - and maybe the names didn't matter much, only the recounting of history did. This is a novel best read in one or two sittings, not putting it down and picking it up as I had to do. You should give it a minimum concentration, something I was not able to do at this moment, so I DNFed it at 40% approximately.
However, it did not repell me in the least and I'd love to pick it back later and give it all the attention it deserves.
November 4, 2024
2.5 stars
February 23, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
October 22, 2023
“You need to take a historical perspective. You can’t make sweeping statements about anything in the world, and there’s never been an ideal time when everything made sense—it’s just a question of how you look at the advancing tide and deal with remnants of the old order.”
Set in December 1982, The Wedding Party (written in Chinese by Liu Xinwu and translated into English by Jeremy Tiang) featured the lives and fates of a huge cast of characters which were impacted by Chinese communism, the Cultural Revolution, China's rapid modernization as well as the changing tides of the history in China. The story only covers one 12-hour day and the pivotal event is the wedding of Auntie Xue's second son, which would be held in the siheyuan (四合院, a courtyard surrounded by buildings on all four sides, which is considered a relic of China's feudal society). Readers were then introduced to multiple characters with their background stories and an ample of subplots were intricated in the main event. For instance, we have Lu Xichun (a young chef hired to prepare the wedding feast. Despite a complicated background and the hardships that the people were facing after the Cultural Revolution, he is optimistic, practical, tolerant and does not give up easily), Zhan Liying (a resident of the siheyuan and a busybody with a kind heart but was disliked by everyone despite her good deeds), Tantai Zhizhu (a resident of the siheyuan who was an opera singer and facing marital problems with her husband Likai), Lu Baosang (a beggar, with a passive attitude, vulgar and savage behavior), Xiuya (the bride-to-be, who has a lack of interest of what was going on in China, its basic history, the ideals of Socialism or Communism or the Cultural Revolution), Xun Lei (a British-educated translator, whose uneducated father, Xun Xingwang, disapproved of Xun Lei's intellectual fiance, Zhang Xiuzao). The Wedding Party depicts the lingering impact of the Cultural Revolution vis-a-vis the lives of commoners, particularly in a world full of uncertainties in view of China's ever-changing historical landscape.
The Wedding Party truly caught me by surprise as it is a literary masterpiece to me. Despite the cast of characters, there are 2 major characters that drive the overarching theme of the story: (1) the siheyuan (四合院); and (2) the Bell and Drum Tower (i.e. 钟鼓楼, which is also the original title of this book in Chinese). The nature and architectural design of the siheyuan form the basis of Liu Xinwu's choice of using multiple characters with different backgrounds to bring out the fusion of history and humanity. The Bell and Drum Tower on the other hand would be the metaphor for time and memory, the two main notions navigating the story and brilliantly executed by Liu Xinwu: "How should we think of time? Is it a circle? An arrow? A river flowing to the sea? A pair of dice? An accelerating spaceship? Can it really fold and bend? Time moves on, while the Bell and Drum Towers are eternal". With "time" and "memory" as his major tools, Liu Xinwu then explored the impact of the "past" on the "present" with reference to the Cultural Revolution: "To many adults, the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution feels like it happened just yesterday. Ten years of turmoil put a sudden stop to many developments that had been well underway. When the chaos was over and people tried to pick up the threads of the past as they righted themselves, they had no choice but to treat the last decade as a blank, as if time had frozen in the summer of 1966 and thawed in the fall of '76". And by setting out the different backgrounds for his characters without proferring any conclusion on the fates of his characters, Liu Xinwu amplified the uncertainties of his characters' destinies amidst the notions of "time", "memory", "past", "present" and the "future": "Everyone's experience of time is different" but "Time treats everyone the same" but "It would seem that everything contains a certain uncertainty. Still, there's one thing we can be sure of. Barring some unpredictable catastrophe, Beijing's Bell and Drum Towers will remain as eternal witnesses to history and destiny". Apart from social commentaries and philosophical discussions, The Wedding Party is infused with references to China's history, cultural and literary references, in particular, references to one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature, The Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦). Scholars have commented that several scenes and concepts in The Wedding Party are rather similar to the themes in The Dream of the Red Chamber, owing to the fact that Liu Xinwu himself is a researcher of the said classic literature. That said, The Wedding Party itself is a tour de force and its importance to the arena of Chinese literature cannot be undermined. Jeremy Tiang's translation is equally brilliant as he managed to capture the correct atmosphere, voice, and themes that the author is trying to relay. The Wedding Party is definitely a 5/5 star read to me. Thanks to Times Read for sending this review copy to me!
Set in December 1982, The Wedding Party (written in Chinese by Liu Xinwu and translated into English by Jeremy Tiang) featured the lives and fates of a huge cast of characters which were impacted by Chinese communism, the Cultural Revolution, China's rapid modernization as well as the changing tides of the history in China. The story only covers one 12-hour day and the pivotal event is the wedding of Auntie Xue's second son, which would be held in the siheyuan (四合院, a courtyard surrounded by buildings on all four sides, which is considered a relic of China's feudal society). Readers were then introduced to multiple characters with their background stories and an ample of subplots were intricated in the main event. For instance, we have Lu Xichun (a young chef hired to prepare the wedding feast. Despite a complicated background and the hardships that the people were facing after the Cultural Revolution, he is optimistic, practical, tolerant and does not give up easily), Zhan Liying (a resident of the siheyuan and a busybody with a kind heart but was disliked by everyone despite her good deeds), Tantai Zhizhu (a resident of the siheyuan who was an opera singer and facing marital problems with her husband Likai), Lu Baosang (a beggar, with a passive attitude, vulgar and savage behavior), Xiuya (the bride-to-be, who has a lack of interest of what was going on in China, its basic history, the ideals of Socialism or Communism or the Cultural Revolution), Xun Lei (a British-educated translator, whose uneducated father, Xun Xingwang, disapproved of Xun Lei's intellectual fiance, Zhang Xiuzao). The Wedding Party depicts the lingering impact of the Cultural Revolution vis-a-vis the lives of commoners, particularly in a world full of uncertainties in view of China's ever-changing historical landscape.
The Wedding Party truly caught me by surprise as it is a literary masterpiece to me. Despite the cast of characters, there are 2 major characters that drive the overarching theme of the story: (1) the siheyuan (四合院); and (2) the Bell and Drum Tower (i.e. 钟鼓楼, which is also the original title of this book in Chinese). The nature and architectural design of the siheyuan form the basis of Liu Xinwu's choice of using multiple characters with different backgrounds to bring out the fusion of history and humanity. The Bell and Drum Tower on the other hand would be the metaphor for time and memory, the two main notions navigating the story and brilliantly executed by Liu Xinwu: "How should we think of time? Is it a circle? An arrow? A river flowing to the sea? A pair of dice? An accelerating spaceship? Can it really fold and bend? Time moves on, while the Bell and Drum Towers are eternal". With "time" and "memory" as his major tools, Liu Xinwu then explored the impact of the "past" on the "present" with reference to the Cultural Revolution: "To many adults, the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution feels like it happened just yesterday. Ten years of turmoil put a sudden stop to many developments that had been well underway. When the chaos was over and people tried to pick up the threads of the past as they righted themselves, they had no choice but to treat the last decade as a blank, as if time had frozen in the summer of 1966 and thawed in the fall of '76". And by setting out the different backgrounds for his characters without proferring any conclusion on the fates of his characters, Liu Xinwu amplified the uncertainties of his characters' destinies amidst the notions of "time", "memory", "past", "present" and the "future": "Everyone's experience of time is different" but "Time treats everyone the same" but "It would seem that everything contains a certain uncertainty. Still, there's one thing we can be sure of. Barring some unpredictable catastrophe, Beijing's Bell and Drum Towers will remain as eternal witnesses to history and destiny". Apart from social commentaries and philosophical discussions, The Wedding Party is infused with references to China's history, cultural and literary references, in particular, references to one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature, The Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦). Scholars have commented that several scenes and concepts in The Wedding Party are rather similar to the themes in The Dream of the Red Chamber, owing to the fact that Liu Xinwu himself is a researcher of the said classic literature. That said, The Wedding Party itself is a tour de force and its importance to the arena of Chinese literature cannot be undermined. Jeremy Tiang's translation is equally brilliant as he managed to capture the correct atmosphere, voice, and themes that the author is trying to relay. The Wedding Party is definitely a 5/5 star read to me. Thanks to Times Read for sending this review copy to me!
Read
August 7, 2024It’s very rare for the skillful translation of a book to stand out to me, but in the case of The Wedding Party, that was what I appreciated most. It’s a very down-to-earth story and the conversational tone of the prose made it work very well. A lot of translated books I’ve read have been relatively flat because the focus is on conveying meaning rather than tone, so I really appreciated how well this translation did to convey both.
At times, the digressions were a bit tedious…but on the whole, a charming and wonderfully-translated account of daily life in an era of Chinese history I know little about.
At times, the digressions were a bit tedious…but on the whole, a charming and wonderfully-translated account of daily life in an era of Chinese history I know little about.
July 25, 2024
This was dense. At points, I really cared about the neighbors in the siheyuan. I also came into this knowing next to nothing about the cultural revolution, so it was really moving to learn about it while seeing the impact that it had on different people in different ways. But it was a slow-moving slog for me. Well written but just a lot. A lot of characters, a lot of names, a lot of plot…a lot.
August 28, 2023
The novel invites us to visit a traditional siheyuan in Beijing, on the morning when one of its residents is getting married. In the span of some 12 hours (from morning to afternoon) the author introduces us to the many myriad characters staying in the siheyuan, and through each of their stories paint a vivid depiction of the cultural zeitgeist of Beijing in the 1980's.
The story, told from the perspective of the lower classes, is meant to illustrate the impact of political decisions on the vulnerable who have little say in policy but are most impacted by it.
For some the change can be befuddling, like the editor of a poetry magazine, who was once lauded for printing poems of a certain genre and is later criticised for the same action. He hasn't changed but the world changed around him!
The little insights into the lives of the masses or little city folk (as the author calls them) is what makes this book truly stand out. For instance, Luo Basong, a local mafioso's most vivid memory of his grandfather is that he slept with his shoes on his hands. This is an indication towards his impoverished beginning because it is a habit inculcated among beggars.
The author insists that it is not only highbrow art and literature that forms the culture of a society, but also the smaller aspects of daily lives of its residents. It is not the elite of Beijing who get the final say on its history and culture, but the larger masses.
He also pokes fun at the moral high-handedness of the same elite who look down upon corruption and thievery, but yet expects to be treated better than the masses when it comes to allotment of housing or better schooling. The few who manage to rise up through the ranks - either through hard work or illicit ways - are treated with disdain and contempt for their impoverished lineage. This results in a system that systematically oppresses the masses with next to no hope of justice.
The books ends at sunset, with much of the plot still left unresolved. But the author seems to believe that that is not as important - after all the angst of private lives dim in the face of posterity. It doesn't matter how our characters' lives end up as long as we remember they exist.
The story, told from the perspective of the lower classes, is meant to illustrate the impact of political decisions on the vulnerable who have little say in policy but are most impacted by it.
For some the change can be befuddling, like the editor of a poetry magazine, who was once lauded for printing poems of a certain genre and is later criticised for the same action. He hasn't changed but the world changed around him!
The little insights into the lives of the masses or little city folk (as the author calls them) is what makes this book truly stand out. For instance, Luo Basong, a local mafioso's most vivid memory of his grandfather is that he slept with his shoes on his hands. This is an indication towards his impoverished beginning because it is a habit inculcated among beggars.
The beggars who owned shoes were afraid they would get stolen, so they never took them off to sleep. The credo of the beggars’ guilds was: If you snatched or stole something another beggar was holding or wearing, you’d be sentenced to death. But if they put down or took off that object, it was fair game.
The author insists that it is not only highbrow art and literature that forms the culture of a society, but also the smaller aspects of daily lives of its residents. It is not the elite of Beijing who get the final say on its history and culture, but the larger masses.
He also pokes fun at the moral high-handedness of the same elite who look down upon corruption and thievery, but yet expects to be treated better than the masses when it comes to allotment of housing or better schooling. The few who manage to rise up through the ranks - either through hard work or illicit ways - are treated with disdain and contempt for their impoverished lineage. This results in a system that systematically oppresses the masses with next to no hope of justice.
The books ends at sunset, with much of the plot still left unresolved. But the author seems to believe that that is not as important - after all the angst of private lives dim in the face of posterity. It doesn't matter how our characters' lives end up as long as we remember they exist.
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