April / China Reading Poll

[Scheherazade]

In April 2008, we will be reading a book by a Chinese author.

Please nominate the books you would like to read

(one nomination per member, please)

by February 29th.

* Only those books which are available on amazon in English will be included in our poll. *

Note: Only the first 10 books will be included in the poll.



* * * This poll will be closed on April 1st. * * *

[Virgil]

Oh April is China month. Hey can I nominate Pearl Buck's The Good Earth? She lived in China for decades, most of her life I think. Just looked it up. Her family moved to China when she was 3 months old. It seems that Chinese was her first language and learned English as a second language. And she lived in China when she wrote the book. Here's a brief bio: http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/Buck/biography.html. I leave it to the mods.

[hellsapoppin]

China Men by Maxine Hong Kingston.

A few years ago this was one of the most popular writers around. Today, for some unknown reason, she has been largely forgotten.

I have heard two radio interviews of Mrs Kingston. Never in my life have I ever heard or witnessed so much love for the human race. Her voice just exudes love for humanity. She yearns for universal peace and reconciliation for the entire world. This is in evidence throughout China Men and in her other writings.

[Virgil]

China Men by Maxine Hong Kingston.

A few years ago this was one of the most popular writers around. Today, for some unknown reason, she has been largely forgotten.

I have heard two radio interviews of Mrs Kingston. Never in my life have I ever heard or witnessed so much love for the human race. Her voice just exudes love for humanity. She yearns for universal peace and reconciliation for the entire world. This is in evidence throughout China Men and in her other writings.

Yeah, but she was born in the US and has lived here all her life. Her parents may have been immigrants from China, but what makes her a Chinese novelist?

[JBI]

Does Ezra Pound's Poetry translations Cathay count? If not can we read some other book of Chinese poetry?

[thelastmelon]

"Red Dust: A Path Through China" by Ma Jian will be my nomination.
I've wanted to read it for quite some time and heard it was good. I would've wanted to nominate "Stick out your tounge" by the same author, a book that was banned in China, but I couldn't find it on Amazon, unfortunately.

[papayahed]

I nominate:

Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio by Pu Songling


Strange Tales (http://www.amazon.com/Strange-Chinese-Studio-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140447407/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201963201&sr=1-10)

[bouquin]

I propose Gao Xingjian's short stories compiled in the volume entitled Buying a Fishing Rod for My Grandfather (some translations carry the name A Fishing Rod for My Grandpa).

[Pensive]

Oh April is China month. Hey can I nominate Pearl Buck's The Good Earth? She lived in China for decades, most of her life I think. Just looked it up. Her family moved to China when she was 3 months old. It seems that Chinese was her first language and learned English as a second language. And she lived in China when she wrote the book. Here's a brief bio: http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/Buck/biography.html. I leave it to the mods.

I liked The Good Earth even though it's one of those few books whose abridged version I read (as I couldn't find the original unabridged one).

By the way, can Hanging Waters by Keith West be considered? Loved reading it!

[ntropyincarnate]

The Good Earth was a forced read in school last year. I don't think I'll ever be able to enjoy it after that.

Also, it was one of the most depressing books I've ever read.:sick:

[NickAdams]

I propose Gao Xingjian's short stories compiled in the volume entitled Buying a Fishing Rod for My Grandfather (some translations carry the name A Fishing Rod for My Grandpa).

That is what I was going to nominate, so you'll have my vote.

[Scheherazade]

Hey can I nominate Pearl Buck's The Good Earth?
China Men by Maxine Hong Kingston.
Does Ezra Pound's Poetry translations Cathay count? If not can we read some other book of Chinese poetry?The nominated books should be written born and bred Chinese authors.

Nominations so far:

1. Red Dust: A Path Through China by Ma Jian

2. Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio by Pu Songling

3. Buying a Fishing Rod for My Grandfather by Gao Xingjian


I am torn between Three Swans and A Many-Splendoured Thing .

[Hira]

I am not very much familiar with Chinese authors. Is 'Soul Mountain' by Gao Xingjian good?

[hellsapoppin]

``Yeah, but she was born in the US and has lived here all her life. Her parents may have been immigrants from China, but what makes her {Kingston} a Chinese novelist?``


What makes Pearl Buck Chinese?

I thought the category was one of inclusionism, not exclusionism. The fact is both writers write of Chinese people and culture. Additionally, both were greatly imbued with Chinese culture throughout their lives. Therefore, in theory, both should qualify.

But if the definition must be narrow, so be it.


BTW, for those who don't know it, according to Chinese culture, Mrs Kingston is classified as ''overseas Chinese''. This is because according to the culture one does NOT lose identity because they are born or raised overseas.

I know this for a fact because I studied Mandarin Chinese at one time (and failed miserably). Therefore, our failure to recognize her as a Chinese is an affront to their cultural standards.

[Scheherazade]

Even though I understand your arguments, Hellsapoppin, to be loyal to the aims of "Country of the Month" choice, we will stick only with authors who are born and bred Chinese.

This year we would like to get to know different authors from different countries and get a feel of different cultures from an authentic perspective, rather than Americanised versions or a foreigner's take on that particular country.

I am sorry that this is disappointing for some of you; however, I am sure there are enough native authors of China to provide us with the ten nominations we need.

[Aiculík]

I nominate Love in the Fallen City and Other Stories by Eileen Chang.

She is considered to be one of the greatest Chinese authors of the 20th century, and her short stories to be real masterpieces. I've never read anything by her, but I heard only positive critics. Most of her tales are about love - or rather, problems between men and women, slightly pessimistic, but lyrical and sensitive.

[tractatus]

I propose Gao Xingjian's short stories compiled in the volume entitled Buying a Fishing Rod for My Grandfather (some translations carry the name A Fishing Rod for My Grandpa).


I Second this. or Soul Mountain.

[Scheherazade]

Nominations so far:

1. Red Dust: A Path Through China by Ma Jian

2. Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio by Pu Songling

3. Buying a Fishing Rod for My Grandfather by Gao Xingjian

4. Soul Mountain by Gao Xingjian

5. Love in the Fallen City and Other Stories by Eileen Chang.


I would like to nominate Wild Swans by Jung Chang.

[Niamh]

damn scher! thats the only one i know!

[Scheherazade]

Then you can vote for come voting time? ;)

[Niamh]

of course! I think we have that in work so i can pick it up quite easily.:p (I've temp- banned myself from amazon. cc bill came!:blush: )

[superunknown]

Wild Swans by Jung Chang. Or maybe even Mao: The Unknown Story by the same author if you wouldn't mind a biography. It is an amazing book though. Most people don't really know that much about Mao, and this is the first authoritative biography of him.

[Oniw17]

The Wandering Taoist by Deng Ming-dao. I've read some of his other books and this one looks interesting. Apparently it's taoist philosophy in story form.

[Scheherazade]

Nominations so far:

1. Red Dust: A Path Through China by Ma Jian

2. Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio by Pu Songling

3. Buying a Fishing Rod for My Grandfather by Gao Xingjian

4. Soul Mountain by Gao Xingjian

5. Love in the Fallen City and Other Stories by Eileen Chang.

6. Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang

7. Wild Swans by Jung Chang

8. The Wandering Taoist by Deng Ming-dao

Last two nominations are up for grabs!

[Hayfa Qahtani]

hello ,
i would like
7. Wild Swans by Jung Chang


i am not sure if its okay for me to vote , forgive me am a new member:blush:

[_JadeRain_]

The Joy Luck Club -Amy Tan

[NickAdams]

The Joy Luck Club -Amy Tan

Amy Tan is a born and bred American.

[Scheherazade]

hello ,
i would like
7. Wild Swans by Jung Chang


i am not sure if its okay for me to vote , forgive me am a new member:blush:We are not starting the poll till March so you can increase your post count by that time and vote as well :)
The Joy Luck Club -Amy TanAs Nick mentioned, Amy Tan is an American author.

[alongjourney]

This author was born in China, spent most of his life in China, and has an international reputation. He had deep understanding about Chinese's patriotism, religion, history, love, bitterness against Japan, etc.

This book, a materpiece of his, reveals "the turbulent events in China from 1900 to 1938, including the Boxer Rebellion, the Republican Revolution of 1911, the Warlord Era, the rise of nationalism and communism, and the origins of the Sino-Japanese War of 1937-1945".It had been adapted into a popular TV show a couple of years ago.

I recommend this book. If you want to learn more, just wikipedia it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_in_Peking

[NickAdams]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think the men would like Wild Swans. It's about three generations of women. I know some men would, I just mean in general and if it's chosen, they should be prepared to read a book about women, from the perspective of women. Then, maybe I'm being too picky. It doesn't matter. Everyone can vote for whatever they want to vote for.

I wouldn't mind a story for women by women, unless it was on Lifetime, but the synopsis doesn't interest me.

[Niamh]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think the men would like Wild Swans. It's about three generations of women. I know some men would, I just mean in general and if it's chosen, they should be prepared to read a book about women, from the perspective of women. Then, maybe I'm being too picky. It doesn't matter. Everyone can vote for whatever they want to vote for.

We all read books about men by men...whats wrong with a book about women by a woman?! we are all her to broaden our literary horizons. It would be an interesting perspective....

[mortalterror]

The four classic novels of China are
1.Dream of the Red Chamber
2.Journey to the West
3.Water Margin
4.Romance of the Three Kingdoms

The poets Li Po and Tu Fu are generally considered the greatest Chinese poets of all time. Why not read a book by one of them?

[Remarkable]

I know this is not decent to say,but which one of these books can be easily read online?I know which one I want to read,though...I just haven't got the means to provide it right now...

[superunknown]

The four classic novels of China are
4.Romance of the Three Kingdoms
I got through a fair bit of that one a few years ago and wouldn't recommend it in this case. The writing style is quite archaic, LOTS of generals and people to remember (over 1,000 I believe) and is divided into several volumes, none of which make for light reading. While it's an absolute necessity if you really want to get an in-depth look at Chinese literature and mythology, it really wouldn't be suitable for our purposes now. Dunno anything about the other 3 though.

[Scheherazade]

Going once...

[Virgil]

I'm tempted to join. I would love to read a Chinese novel, but I'm still reading The Name of the Rose. Perhaps if I can finish, but I won't vote.

[NickAdams]

I have not read many female authors and feel guilty for it, but I'm happy that Buying a Fishing Rod for My Grandfather is in the lead. I planned on reading it, win or lose, but I'm glad I might have company.

[Scheherazade]

Going twice...