Customer Reviews

Lili: A Novel of Tiananmen

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

Lili is forceful and rich in ethnographic insight. I couldn't put it down. Vivid and intense, this novel convincingly delves into rarely seen areas of contemporary China. To give but a few examples, we encounter a reform through labor camp for 'hooligan girls', the eclectic milieu of the Beijing art scene, the hidden counter-culture of youth street gangs, and the emergence of a distinct new voice, manifest in many ways, including the 1989 Student Movement. A scene I will not soon forget: a nauseating 'interview' by members of public security. I marveled at the writer's talent for capturing the incredibly complex situations of rural and urban China with economy and verve. This novel made me weep. It made me wish too that I could return to China immediately and witness more of its amazing, ongoing transformation. Bravo. Highly recommended for people who think about China seriously, and for people who love literature.

This novel is recommended for anyone interested in China's recent past. Though the storyline is different, it has the same poignancy of Joan Chen's film Xiu Xiu the Sent-Down Girl. Lili is caught in the turmoil of China in the 1980s-- still reeling from the impact of the Cultural Revolution, and still undergoing the "growing pains" of transformation from a communist to free market society. Lili, the title character, is shorn of hope, someone who is utterly rejected by her society. Yet, somehow, she survives and manages to find new meaning in life. Lili is told from an insider's point of view-that is, someone who is intimately acquainted with Chinese society and culture. It is a window to an eastern culture that is at once fascinating and compelling. Highly recommended for anyone who is interested in China or Asia

As an American who has lived and traveled extensively in China, I am always interested in works focusing on the modern Chinese experience. "Lili" does not disappoint, with author Annie Wang showing remarkable insight and experience that reaches far beyond her 29 years. Ms. Wang's portrayal of rural and city life in China during the years leading up to the tragedy in Tiananmen offers us a fresh look at some of the underlying reasons behind the students, and ultimately ordinary citizens, push for democracy. She also takes us beyond the beauty, tranquility and myth of the Chinese countryside and reveals some of the desperate conditions that actually exist there. Startling when one realizes that 80 percent of the population of China is rural. "Lili" is a great read and is difficult to put down. And with a love story navigating the cultural and philosophical contrasts between the idealistic American Roy and the harsh realism of Lili's existence, it will not be long before Hollywood takes notice.

I think in many ways, modern chinese literature is different from western literature. One example is in how stories are resolved. Many times in western stories and novels, there is a definite resolution, i.e. the bad guys are brought to justice, the protagonist has an epiphany, and so on.

What first disturbed me about reading SOME mainland chinese stories and novels is the seemingly abrupt endings. People are suffering throughout the book, and at the end--they are still suffering. Many times, not only do the bad guys get away, but they prosper. Over time, I have learned to appreciate the differences in this writing style. BTW, I would love to discuss this topic with people. My email is on my profile.

This is a great book, not so much for the overall plot, but for the plethora of perspectives and lives that we witness in Lili's travels. From peasants who resent westerners observing their bleak lives, to bohemian Bejingers, to western-style chinese rock stars, Ms. Wang really brings out the color in a society that is often shown (here in the US) to be a homogeneous society.

I didn't like the overall plot because it smacks of the basic western paternalistic plot: a foriegner is redeemed by a wise and powerful westerner. It's not as bad as that, and Ms. Wang does bring to light some of the friction that occurs because of Lili's (and other chineses') relationships with westerners, but it still left a bad taste in my mouth.

Overall, it's a great book, and I wish there were english translations of some of Ms. Wang's earlier works (this is her first english novel).

I have always been a great fan of literature set within China, where both rural and city life provide insight as to China's society and culture. I will admit, however, that I was extremely disappointed with this story so filled with superfluous tragedies. Yes, this novel does portray the generation that followed the Cultural Revolution, but in a manner that is much to my disliking. This book told the truly bland tale of a girl falling in love with an American. Typical. It's simply ridiculous that this rather obnoxious character, Lili, only finds redemption through a Westerner - and even now I'm not certain as to why he would fall for her. What was the only good thing about this book? Turning to the last page.

i had problem reading book because of language. however, what i understand is that the story is like to many other books i have read. i was recommended this book by colleague since i am learning english. i lived during that time and the book did not seem to reflect that. it was not something that should be made fictional i think. it makes me upset to read about a painful time but not written the way it happened. i have heard many good things about author but i do not think i will read other chinese books by her.

I have always enjoyed reading books and have a very hard time finding one that I don't like. However, this book was horrible. It was really hard to follow what was going on in the story. I had to keep backtracking to figure out who was who. The dialect was very weird its almost as if the author is trying too hard. She is slanting the information and keeping not only the characters clueless to whats going on but to the readers as well. I wish I could take the time back that I spent reading this book and spent it on something worthwhile like rereading The Samurai's Garden.

...The cover was nice, but everything in between was.. just average.

I don't normally enjoy reading historical fiction because it's just a cheap excuse to romanticize a period in time that was difficult, or a major tragedy.

The "love interest" in the book, Roy, was uninteresting, but what was worse, was the main character, Lili. I just found her sooooo annoying. She gave me the impression that she was "too good" for everyone, but she really isn't... I'm not even sure WHY Roy even fell for her. The whole white boy saving the day for an asian girl has been overdone. At least if the main character was somewhat likeable, this book might have been better...

In China, I heard of this book and asked a friend in America to send the book to me. As a scholar, I am interested in all English books written about China. "Lili" is no doubt a strongly written book. I was born in 1960, the same year with Lili. Everything written in the book is so familiar to me, the heroic gangster Spring Ocean, the timid high ranking official's son Jun, the talkative poet friend Yuan, the dirty alleys of Beijing, the boredom of the young people back in early 1980s...They are so true and so vivid. I can especially understand Lili's self-loathing which was and still is a national character. The paradox of the Chinese is that we have self-loathing and self-deception at the same time. Annie Wang did a good job capturing these Chinese national characteristics.
The best part of this book to me is the realistic portrayal of the lives of the peasants. It is like Zhang Yimo's movies, so moving.
I recommend this book to any one who is interested in Chinese history, modern China and cross-culture studies.

The story of "Lili" concerns the tribulations of a teenage girl in China in the years leading up to the massacre in Tianenmen Square, and the development of her relationship with an American journalist. It is written with force and clarity, and the main character is startlingly real and three-dimensional. Once you start reading it, you won't be able to put it down. An excellent book, highly recommended.