Customer Reviews

Leaf in the Bitter Wind

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was my first Chinese autobiography and I was absolutely blown away at how incredible it was, how engagingly written it was, and what an amazing survivor Ye Ting-Xing is. Witnessing her family ostracised by the government as Capitalist traitors, losing her parents at such a young age, seeing her family scattered everywhere for a great cause that no-one seemed to really understand, humiliated, tortured, - this is only the half of it. Many of us have read about people around the world living such hardships, but it's easy to forget and not to sympathise when their lives seem so far away and different to ours. But with Ye's intimated and captivating style of her life, we are drawn into her world, and walk away feeling a small part of the pain ourselves. Sometimes the best way to learn about something is through feelings. And it makes you appreciate your life's comparatively small burdens by comparison, makes you appreciate the fact that you can wash yourself with warm water every day. It's also a great eye-opener about 20th Century China - not by the history books which tell us what they want to, but by someone who was actually there, directly affected by it. Brilliant reading absolutely recommended to anyone.

This book of a woman's struggle to grow up during China's Cultural Revolution is at the same time inspiring and troubling. It has made me appreciate the freedom I've enjoyed having been fortunate enough to be born in America. I devoured the book like a wind-fed prairie fire, reluctant to stop reading, even to eat or sleep. The writing is realistic and not overly emoted, the story speaks for itself. I just hope there soon will be a Part Two, including the author's beautiful daughter.

A Leaf in the Bitter Wind was a book I read for my Non-Western Culture class in college (I'm an English major). This powerful story about one woman's struggle for her family's freedom from a politically obsessed society is a touching one. Of course, there also seems to be some element missing, probably due to the fact that Ah Si (the name she's more fondly known as) tells the book from her childhood perspective during most of the novel. She creates a brilliant portrayal of the struggle she must endure during these days in Communist China. And after all that, I must say I found the end a little disappointing. Overall, I would recommend this book - especially to those who are not aquainted with the true story of the situation that occurred in Communist China during Mao Ze-Dong's reign.

In this touching and gripping story we read of the life of Ting-Xing Ye growing up during the 50's - 70's. A real page turner, you read fast just to see what horrifying thing is going to happen next. It sure makes one appreciate life in a free country. My heart bleeds for those who had to suffer.
I highly recommend. ...

I have read many memoirs by people who survived the Cultural Revolution. Ye's memoir keeps you hooked into the story of her life, giving details when necessary. You get to see the Cultural Revolution through the eyes of a child - her eyes. Also wonderful is how she is not bitter about her experiences - cautious, but not bitter. It is an excellent read that you won't be able to put down.

Among all the books that I read about the Cultural Revolution and all the political turmoils that happened in China, Ting-Xing Ye is the only writer who is as honest and straight-forward as she could be in telling her extraordinary life. Without any cosmetic phrases and additions, the book took me through a turbulent journey as if I were accompanied by Ye herself. Once I started I couldn't put down the book. I kept on flipping back to the pages where a bunch of her family's photos were displayed. Repeatedly I looked into their eyes and asked "why?" I admired Ye's courage and I wish her the best. Like others I would love to know whether she got a chance to meet her daugher subsequently. Bravo!!

Ting-xing Ye's book shows eminently how political systems and decisions influence profoundly individual lives.
It is a personal report on Mao's one party-paradise: no free communications (total censorship), no free speech, no free travel, no free time, only harsh work and tiring meetings of political indoctrination. The reward was a meagre meal.
Marriage had to be approved by the Communist Party. Socially, all important were good connections with corrupt party bureaucrats and their rampant nepotism. Informants were all over the place, creating a sick atmosphere of suspicion. Only a few family members and friends could be trusted.

Ye's realistic portrait of the upheaval created by the, for China, disastrous Cultural Revolution is impresssive.
Her book gives also an inside look on the main character traits of the Chinese and the all important 'fear for loss of face'.

Ye's autobiography discloses a permanent struggle for personal independence from family chains and from the terribly irritating climate of suspicion and the sham pressure for political 'correctness', in one word, to be free from the Party's eyes.
Her book is an in depth political report with an individual human touch.

Not to be missed.

I love the story which make me cry and I also come from china and have the similar situation which the author has. I wish her well in the future and bring her daughter to canada.Her father is a capitalist who died so young after communist revolution.she endure the real bitterness in china.

I picked up this book out of my curiosity on the Cultural Revolution and ended up getting more insight than I originally bargained for. The book is packed with unusual stories reflecting the author's long struggle, some of which are downright disturbing.

I found this book very touching - you were swept along with Ting-Xing from one fight to another. It definitly was an insight into another culture and what it would be like to survive under an oppressive regime. I would like to know what has happened to her daughter.