An astonishing journey into China's recent past. - Gina Nahai, LA Times

Mailing this book to Kiri.

From Lovemylife THANKS! *hug*

Received in Portland, Oregon. Thank you.

This is a fictionalized account of the life of Jiang Ching, Mao Tse Tung's wife. "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." It isn't paranoia if "they" are actually out to get you.

It is challenging to write a story from the point of view of someone who is warped and is dealing with a power structure that is mostly hidden from their view. Anchee Min does an interesting job of doing this.

I would recommend having a basic understanding of twentieth century Chinese history before reading this. I would also recommend reading Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang, which covers this same period of history from the point of view of a family that is also within the Communist party but further out in the power structure. It gives a little clearer picture of the impact of various movements on the general population of China and adds to understanding this story.

This is going to a bookmoocher in the UK via mail.

Received this book via bookmooch, read it and now will pass it on or release it into the wild :)