Kevin Kang’s Reviews > Sounds of the River: A Young Man's University Days in Beijing – A Poetic Coming-of-Age Memoir of China's Cultural Revolution > Status Update

representation of the ways that China could improve. (Continuing from last post.)

The end of the book, to me, is a perfect way to wrap up Chen's story in China. His story is one of corruption, lies, money, hard work, and a lot of luck, but since he achieved his goal in the end, he must be praised and put on a pedestal, because apparently it does not matter how you got there, it just matters that you did. This book was one of the most relatable books that I have read this year, and it serves as a

in his university treat their last year like they are in retirement, refusing to study, and having fun at all times. I can sense a similar atmosphere here with the 9th graders at Cardigan, since many of us have already gotten into a school, so we do not need to worry as much about classes anymore, which in my opinion is the wrong attitude to have. (Continuing from last post.)

As Chen spends more time with those basketball players, he starts to pick up a little of their language, and we can see his use of words start to "Americanize," if that is a word. We also see that Chen's english has gotten considerably better, even earning praise from those players. I think that Chen will eventually make it to America, and come into contact with those players again. Also, I notice that many seniors

These point out the reason China had been a center for international people to use as a resource, and why America was the dream destination for a lot of people. (Continuing from last post.)

As the book nears Chen's return to his university, I notice several old traditions that highlight ancient Chinese culture. One is the notion that the man and the woman that are marrying each other do not have to love each other, and that the only thing important about their marriages is the money. Another is how back in the 80's, Chinese people used fen as a form of currency, which is worth a lot less than yuan.

deserved to die, that he was a disgrace for going against the rules and taking his own life, as opposed to reflecting on what could have made him commit suicide. I feel like the illness that Chen endured was a reflection of the school's inability to help their students. It was lucky that Chen had his friends, otherwise the unhelpful doctor could have caused a lot more pain for Chen. (Continuing from last post.)

I find it strange that Mrs. Li, the mother, is the one who finds a suitable husband for her daughter. Even though this still happens in China, I do not agree with it, for it can go against the daughter's wishes. I was shocked at Bo's death. He seemed revolutionary, like someone who led the way, and promised new things for China. It was appalling the way the school treated the situation, talking about Bo as if he

Chapter thirteen starts off with Da Chen referencing the situation of China at the time, comparing a dog's litter of thirteen fighting over each other for milk, to China's situation, where Chinese people fight over each other and climb over others to the road of success, in a world of business and lies, and the author made sure we were aware of this, even in the quiet and peaceful village of Yellowstone. Chen

As I get further into the book, I find examples of the issues of the Chinese government back then, and some issues that still exist now. It is ironic that Chinese people aren't allowed in a shop in their own country, albeit selling foreign items, and have to stoop to pretend to be anything but Chinese to get into the foreign shop. I also noticed that just like America, China has a lot of characteristics that make it