China's Son: Growing Up in the Cultural Revolution - Softcover

Chen, Da

Softcover

ISBN 10: 044022926X ISBN 13: 9780440229261

Publisher: Random House USA Inc, 2004

Synopsis

A candid memoir of growing up during the Chinese Cultural Revolution that is sure to inspire.

Da Chen grew up as an outcast in Communist China. His family's legacy had been one of privilege prior to the revolution, but now in the Chairman Mao era, they are treated with scorn. For Da Chen, that means that all of his successes and academic achievements are nullified when one teacher tells him that, because of his "family's crimes," he can never be more than a poor farmer. Feeling his fate is hopeless, Da responds by dropping out.

Da's life takes a dark turn, and he soon begins hanging out with a gang. However, all is not lost. After Chairman Mao's death, Da realizes that an education and college might be possible. He begins to study-all day and into the night. His entire family rallies to help him succeed, working long hours in the rice fields and going into debt to ensure that Da has an education.
Their struggle would not be in vain. When the final exam results are posted, Da has one of the highest scores in the region, earning him a place at the prestigious Beijing University and a future free from the scars of his past.

This inspiring memoir, adapted for young readers from Colors of the Mountain, is one that will rally readers to defy the odds.

Praise for China's Son

"Humor and unflinching honesty inform the narrative, which is shot through with lyrical descriptions."--Publishers Weekly

"Da Chen's narrative moves smoothly, communicating setting and character with an immediacy that will draw young readers in."--Kirkus Reviews

About this title

About the Author

Da Chen is a graduate of Columbia University Law School.

From the Back Cover

A candid memoir about growing up during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, adapted by the author from his Colors of the Mountain, published by Random House.
Da Chen was born in China in 1962. The grandson of a landlord, he and his family were treated as outcasts in Communist China. In school, Da was an excellent student until a teacher told him that, because of his "family's crimes," he could never be more than a poor farmer. Feeling his fate was hopeless, Da responded by dropping out and hanging around with a gang. However, after Mao's death, Da realized that an education and college might be possible, but he had to make up for the time he'd wasted. He began to study-all day and into the night. His entire family rallied to help him succeed, working long hours in the rice fields and going into debt to ensure that Da would have an education. When the final exam results were posted, he had one of the highest scores in the region and had earned a place at the prestigious Beijing University. Now his family's past would not harm their future.

"From the Hardcover edition.

Edition details

• Publisher: Random House USA Inc
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 044022926X
• ISBN 13: 9780440229261
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 224