In
1956, Mao Tse-Tung wrote, “Let a hundred flowers bloom; let a hundred schools
of thought contend,” thus inviting intellectuals to offer their ideas about and
critiques of the Communist Party. Those
who did fell into a trap and soon found themselves being “reeducated” in
far-off labor camps. This is why
seven-year-old Tao’s father Sheng has disappeared. Tao lives with his mother, Kai Ying,
scholarly grandfather, Wei, Auntie (in name only) Song, and another couple in
the subdivided villa which had been his family’s ancestral home. This gentle tale covers a short period in
the family’s story when Tao falls from a tree and breaks his leg; a homeless,
pregnant girl shows up on their doorstep; and grandfather Wei, holding a
terrible secret, sets off alone on a 1,000 mile journey to find his son. I enjoyed the book, but found it episodic and
ultimately wondered why the author had
written it. Not one of her best. 288 pp.
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