Red Azalea [Paperback]

 

 

Create your own review

I think I walked around in a daze for days after reading this book.
I found Anchee's first part is a little choppy as I grew accustomed to her style. From part two on, I was her captive - unwilling to put the book down for a moment. I fell into her beautiful language and wept for the emotions that rose in me, especially during her experiences with Yan in the labor camps. I ached for her sadness and was uplifted by her hope. The book changed me - the mark of a truly wonderful author. You owe it to yourself to read this book.

Red Azalea, Anchee Min, Anchor Books, 2006, pp. 306

This is her own biography! Even as an elementary school student she was brainwashed with communist slogans, books, teachings and opera. The only texts were teachings of Mao. The influence was strong, to the point when asked to become the head of the Little Red Guard, she proudly accepted. Later, the communist secretary demanded she denounce her own kind, warm, helpful teacher as an American spy. With great reluctance and guilt, but influenced by lies and shouting of 2000 supporters, she completed the task with tears. An example of the blind loyal following of Mao is given by the secretary who is dying of a liver infection but rather than be hospitalized and lose precious moments to further this worship, he endured the pain. Many followers, as the secretary, had suffered under other rulers and only found relief when the communists took over. Their gratitude along with a regular dose of propaganda, twisted their minds into believing and performing any task demanded of them. Life was very difficult, death didn't stop but the ignorant people believed everything they were told. Chapter One details her experiences growing up in poverty and how the Party governed every movement of their lives. Of course, there was always the threat of death, labour camps and torture to change ones thinking.

The unfortunate seventeen year old is assigned to the Red Fire Farm, not because she is need or has special skills, but due to the fact that policy stipulates one member of a family must go work on a farm, to be re-educated. This farm contains 13, 000 former city dwellers, all unhappy but most prepared to continue the struggle for the communist bosses. Millions are displaced all throughout rural China, and will contribute to the later suffering. She meets the Party Secretary and commander, Yan Sheng who slowly becomes her best friend. It is a real eye-opener to learn some of the techniques used to instil absolute devotion and obedience. After working 5am to 9pm they meet nightly for self criticisms and listen to more propaganda, and to get 'rid of incorrect' thoughts.

They were not even permitted to think of men or girls until their late twenties and if caught in shameful acts, one or both could be sentenced to death. Interesting, when one examines Chairman Mao's private life. He was known to have many women selected by dedicated loyalists, and not just one at a time. Even while married to Madame Mao he carried on unashamedly. Anchee is arriving at that age when her hormones are raging. She knows nothing about relationships, sex or dating. A large section of this novel describes the relationship with Yan and the author seems to have no hesitation in admitting how they performed. You will read how Yan becomes her heroine, saving her life.

If you have read 'Becoming Madame Mao' by this author, you will know Jiang Ching is obsessed with the idea of producing operas and movies glorifying Mao. Through a series of regional contests, Anchee is actually chosen to train and possibly play the part of Red Azalea, the most highly revered opera. Red Azalea was recreated and produced by Madame Jiang Ching. She is the heroine represented by the purity of a young peasant who idolizes Mao as her saviour. Millions would recognize her easily as the new saviour of China after her husband's passing. This is the role Anchee must flawlessly portray on stage. 'I am Comrade Jiang Ching and the Supervisor's physical substance. I display their thoughts. I am my ambition....I am the embodiment of Red Azalea. I am my role.' (p, 295)

This novel is very much about a woman who misunderstands what true love is about, misdirects her affections and finally becomes involved with an idealist ' about communism, about artistic expression and about love itself. 'Romantic love does not exist among proletarians....It is a bourgeois fantasy.' (p. 238)

Her advancement towards her ultimate goal of playing Red Azalea is fraught with danger, as she steps over people who can now criticize or denounce her. A powerful friend today may not even exist tomorrow. As she hurdles obstacles, wins new respect, I become suspicious we may have moved from the biographical to fantasy. If this material is all fact, she has accomplished the impossible in a communist world.

A powerful, beautiful, achingly honest book. I was blown away when I first read this book. Beauty and pain co-exist side by side in this firsthand account of growing up under the Mao revolution. An extremely moving account of essentially what it's like to live under oppression. This book stayed in my memory for a long time.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 41 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

4.0 out of 5 stars Mysteries seem just under the surface
Anchee Min's book is very subtle and I am impressed not only by what she reveals about China in the Maoist era, but also by what she hints at throughout the book. Read more

Published on May 25 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars A better understanding of life under Mao.
I bought this book after I had read Memoirs of a Geisha. I was looking to find another book that was just as good. Read more

Published on April 22 2003 by Nicole D. Sollman

4.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, joltingly honest account of life under Mao
Anchee Min has created a powerful sense of life in China during its darkest period: the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. Read more

Published on Feb 28 2003 by Matthew M. Yau

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!
I normally avoid dramas and books about people who emerge from adversity, but this book was SOMETHING ELSE. I was so fascinated I couldn't put the book down. Read more

Published on Dec 26 2002 by L. Look

3.0 out of 5 stars Yet another "I survived the Cultural Revolution" whine-fest
Anchee Min could be a somewhat decent writer if only she was so self-conscious and self-indulgent. This shows in the early parts of the book, where Min casually portrays the grand... Read more

Published on April 10 2002 by Elisabeth W. Movius

4.0 out of 5 stars A Touching Autobiography
In Red Azalea, Anchee Min creates a vivid image of growing up in China at the height of Communist rule under Mao. Read more

Published on Mar 27 2002 by Diana

4.0 out of 5 stars An oddly dreamlike memoir
Red Azalea is not difficult to read - it is a book easily consumed in one or two sittings. However, when it comes to the digestion of what's been read, that's a different story... Read more

Published on Jan 27 2002 by karolinatx

4.0 out of 5 stars Made in USA
Essentially this is a book written for the Americans. While the narrator's account of her struggle in the Communist society hits close to a home-run, the graphic portrayal of the... Read more

Published on Jan 18 2002 by Ying Lu

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely powerful
I have read many, many good books on the Cultural Revolution in China, but Red Azalea has captured my imagination, has brought me to the depths of truth in the time period under... Read more

Published on Jan 11 2002 by Liz

4.0 out of 5 stars Kevin Duggans Review
Book had great momentum,... at the end it slowed a bit. But was a great book,... some of the romance was a bit too much for me. Read more

Published on July 5 2001

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 41 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!