Status Updates From Spider Eaters

Reading about the cultural revolution through the eyes of a young girl is so captivating. Such strong ideas & patriotism but she also experiences discomfort when seeing the outcome of such. Beatings & killings that make her sick (art teacher, train passengers, rapist) but is then rationalized because they were the enemy... right? A young mind only sees in black&white, a perfect palette for control and new order.

The cultural revolution has started. Students were beating & killing teachers that oppressed them, raiding homes & restaurants to establish the rules of new China. Eventually the new rules even affected the families of the red guards themselves: burning books, art, cutting hair, getting rid of the cat. I can imagine the gut wrenching feeling realizing that the rules are indeed harsh when you’re the “offender”.

The chapter about the third layer of thoughts reminded me of the moment I knew god wasn’t real. When I was young in cayman, I remember being in my room and wondering if god was real. I was praying in my head, being all nice to him. Then it clicked, how TF is anything or anyone able to hear my inner thoughts, literally impossible. I’ve always been impressed with this realization I had. It felt like a spark

No wonder Chinese are so anal on academics. In China they were studying to get into the best schools in MIDDLE SCHOOL. It starts so early.

I appreciate the perspective I’m getting from reading this book. Life was difficult and common for parents to outlive their children due to illness or to be the only one that survived in your family. I cried hearing about Aunty and her last child dying and how young Rae said she would be the one to take care of her in old age. Makes me think,, my life could be worse.

I think of my popo when I read this book. It gives more insight on what her life was like growing up in China. I’ve asked her about it (via mom’s translation) but her answers are always too vague to picture it. Either she doesn’t want to share details or can’t describe it. I feel the author had a similar exp: comfortable life and was taken away. I now have specific q’s to ask popo and get detailed answers!

I bought it a few years ago at the rec of a friend. Based on my bookmark I didn’t get far. I know I was not able to appreciate this book when I was younger. Now, as a mid 20s adult, I find this more interesting than before & leans into my curiosity of Chinese history & my roots. As I read this book, I feel gratitude for the comfortable life I have and what parallels are happening in the current thinkspace of 2026

ts is making me cry🥲🥲🥲