VVMBookBlog

Sometimes when I read some of our historical fiction books, it’s hard to believe the things that are happening to people right in my own time and world.  I hear or read stories in the news but that doesn’t bring our attention to peoples’ lives like hearing from the people themselves.

This book begins when Ling is 9 years old and it’s based on actual experiences from the author’s own life.  Chairman Mao Zedong, leader of China, launched the Cultural Revolution in the 1960’s as a way to gain power by eliminating differences in classes of people, especially the wealthier classes–called the bourgeoisie–who were the doctors, lawyers, professors and others.  Since Ling’s parents were both medical doctors, her family was under suspicion, especially because they had been in contact with doctors from the United States.

When party leader Comrade Li takes over a room in their home as his own apartment, things become very uncomfortable for Ling’s family and their friends.  Their homes are ransacked, valuables are taken, and some doctors disappear from the hospital.  And it’s all done in obediance to their leader, Chairman Mao.  These incidents are frightening for everyone but especially for Ling who had grown up very protected and privileged.  Within a couple years they are forced to live with limited food, fuel and freedom.

The action in the book took place in the years 1972-76 but I can’t help but make comparisons with what happened with the Nazis in Germany in the early 1940’s.  And, unfortunately, similar things are most likely happening in our world right now.  Why can’t we figure these things out?