Letter From China [Paperback]

Mary Froning (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 19, 2003

http://mysite.verizon.net/Letter_from_ChinaLetter from Chinais a poignant and irreverent diary of the author's yearlong (2001-2) experienceof teaching English to college students in Beijing,People's Republic of China.¿ From the very first pages, the author drawsyou into his struggle with a culture worlds away fromhis comfort zone.¿ The author's generousand compelling personality allowed him to gain access to the lives of hisstudents and their families, who became characters in his tale. One can experiencethe author's wit and humanity throughout the narrative.The author's humorous view of Chinais especially timely and dovetails with the current explosion of interest in thatcountry as it enters the modern world. ¿Thebook is neither a travelogue nor a look at the government, although elements ofthose subjects are woven into the story.¿Instead, it is an engaging look at China,tailored toward those who know little about it.¿Still, those who have lived and/or traveled there will also enjoy thebook as it reminds them of the absurdities they, too, experienced.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter James Froningis the author of Letter from China, an account of his year teachingEnglish to Chinese university students.¿Before that he was an economic developer and former accountant (CPA) anddevoted follower of the band, Procol Harum.¿ He was raisedin the small town of Kennett Square,Pennsylvania, but spent most ofhis adult life in Wilmington, Delaware,and Albuquerque, New Mexico.¿ Most of his professional life was spenthelping others develop small businesses, particularly within the multi-culturalworld of the Land of Enchantment.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (December 19, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141402682X
• ISBN-13: 978-1414026824
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,851,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humorous account of an American in China, January 30, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Letter From China (Paperback)

This is a poignant account of Froning's year of teaching English to Chinese university students. I liked it for its humor, but also because I got to know what appears to be an extraordinary man. I learned a lot about society in current China through his descriptions of various encounters with the system and everyday people. I loved how he included his students in the book; his descriptions were so vivid, you felt you got to know them. This is truly a remarkable book; I found I couldn't put it down once I started reading.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really a charmer, January 8, 2011

By 

Kate (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Letter From China (Paperback)

A great introduction to China circa 2002 through the eyes of an observant, humble, funny, newly-minted English teacher in Beijing.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the emotional China..., August 27, 2009

By 

Michael Valdivielso (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Letter From China (Paperback)

Peter James Froning did not go to China to study their culture or spy on them or find harmony or anything else like that. He wanted to get away from it all. So he ended up in China, teaching English. And he wrote home about it, using e-mail. The resulting book is full of love for his students and for China in general. Of course he also complains about it - prices for some things are too high, it is dirty, loud, so on. But China is made up of people and Peter was, lets face it, a people person. Also he understood that the students needed, and wanted, more than just learning words. He give them culture, music, and he also gave them a image of a friendly, loving, teacher who taught them about the world. Not just America, but the outside world.
Sadly, he would never return to China. The last part of the book is letters from his students mailed to his family. Not to spoil anything but he died shortly after leaving China and even as a person who only knew him from the book I can feel the grave empty space his passing must bring to the world, not just to his family and his students.