Theme of the Week
Global Reading
Reader: Kitty Simmons
Author: Jung Chang
Title: Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China
Call Number: DS774 .C3718 1991b
Book Jacket Quote: "It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of this book." I agree!
Summary: The history of twentieth century China told as the story of a family over three generations is portrayed with a vividness and poignancy lacking in the usual historical treatment of the same events. The author's grandmother, born in 1909, endured tortuous foot-binding, was given as a concubine to a warlord at the age of fifteen, but still manages to find love and happiness during her long life. "Wild Swan", the author's mother was born in 1931, and comes of age during the treacherous World War II era when the Communists battle the Nationalists for control in China. She marries a Communist Party true-believer and together they totally dedicate their lives and family to the Communist cause. Disillusionment with Mao comes late and at a very high price. The second "Wild Swan", Jung Chang, was born in 1952, and we follow her story as Mao's legacy turns to madness through a series of events that culminates in the disaster that was the Red Guard. Through an amazing turn of events, she maintains both her humanity and hope, and is able to leave China in 1978. A visit from her mother prompts her to probe into the family story, and this fascinating saga/memoir is the result of that effort.
This book is important because it helps the reader understand how it was possible for the entire nation of China to fall under the spell of a tyrant and remain there even after his actions demonstrated a serious departure from sanity. Having a true insider as a guide throughout this story adds to our understanding of both the events and the underlying psychology that made those events possible. Although I was filled with sympathy for those unfortunates who were caught in the machinations that seemed to unfold with horrible frequency, the resiliency of those who survived was also inspiring. This book will provide the reader with useful background about a very complex country and society as China becomes a center of world attention during the Olympic Games later this summer.
The area of Chengdu where much of the action in this book takes place, is also the area hard hit by the recent earthquake in China.
Kitty J. Simmons, Library Director
Reader: Christina Viramontes
Author: Gloria Whelan
Title: Homeless Bird
Call Number: Juv PZ7.W5718 Ho 2000
Summary: This story is set in India. Koly has an arranged marriege in her early teens to a boy her same age. The only problem is her new husband has tuberculous, and her in-laws used the excuse of marriage for her dowery. They hope to use the dowery as a way to travel to the Ghanges River to cure their son, but he dies the day after bathing in this healing water. Koly is a widow, and her life completely changes after this sudden change in her life.
Reader: Cindy Parkhurst
Author: Geraldine Brooks
Title: People of the Book
Call Number: PR 9619.3 B7153 P46 2008
Summary: People of the Book was written by Geraldine Brooks, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for her 2005 novel, March. This book is a fictional account of the story of the survival of the Sarajevo Haggadah, a richly illuminated book created in medieval Spain by Jews. A remarkable book because it was created during a time when illuminating religious manuscripts with beautiful, gilt illustrations was seen as a violation of the Exodus prohibition against making graven images. That copies of these magnificent books survive is a testament to the tenacity and commitment of librarians and curators to the importance of preserving words.
This book is part history and part fiction. I enjoyed reading it because it took me on a journey through time following my favorite character, a book, through centuries from medieval Spain to Italy to modern day Sarajevo. If you love books and history this book should be on your reading list
Cindy Parkhurst