A Bend in the Yellow River [Hardcover]

Justin Hill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1998

Arriving in Yuncheng, China as a starry-eyed 21-year-old teacher, Justin Hill expected the legend. Slowly, over the two years he spent teaching in the city, Hill began to gain insights into the real lives of contemporary China, realizing that nowhere was more authentically Chinese than this outpost nestling in a bend of the yellow river. Battling with the daily contraditions of a rich spiritual and cultural history and a Communist present, adapting to the gradual influence of the West with a robust good humor, the people of Yuncheng are a vital part of their country's future. A Bend in the Yellow River is a unique view of a different way of life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Justin Hill is the author of one previous work, A Bend in the Yellow River. Born in 1971, he worked with VSO and lived in China for many years.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 260 pages
• Publisher: Orion Publishing; First Edition edition (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861590164
• ISBN-13: 978-1861590169
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,087,517 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Rich Reality, October 11, 2002

By 

"isabellak" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Bend in the Yellow River (Paperback)

Justin Hill's A Bend in the Yellow River is one of the most unique books I have read. In it he shares his personal experience: an English man with no travel experience who moves to remote, inland China to teach english for two years where the nearest english speaking person lives 10 hours away.

Mr. Hill's walks you through his experiences showing you everything he experienced. And I say "showing" because you do not simply sit down to read this story, it is shown to you. It has a cinematic visual effect that gives you the feeling that you are able to smell the scents, feel the awkward moments, taste the dumplings, hear the mah jong chips clicking, and see the country side to which you have never been.

Reading Mr. Hill's book is like taking a walk with a good friend who always has the ability to let you see things in a new light.

This reader highly recommends Bend in the Yellow river as and intriguing and insightful read from a new author who is bound to put forth more books of non-fiction and fiction that somehow manage to combine reality, poetic prose, and enlightenment effortlessly.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He read my mind, April 10, 2000

By 

Megs (Paris, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Bend in the Yellow River (Paperback)

I just returned from teaching English in China and read Justin's book. Most of the time I felt I was reading my own journal! He describes life as a foreign teacher in China with wonderful stories that make you laugh and make your jaw drop. A wonderful way to enter Chinese culture.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful piece of writing., July 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: A Bend in the Yellow River (Hardcover)

This book is a story of a young man who decided to stay in China for a period of two years, being the only foreigner within a community of three million Chinese. He relates his experiences with a passion, and it provides the reader with an incredible insight into a world that would otherwise remain a mystery. A positive view of China from within, both serious and humourous. A charming portrayal of a fascinating culture, from a lively and gifted writer. Expect to hear a lot more of Justin Hill.