Red Sorghum - A Novel Of China [Paperback]

Mo Yan (Author), Howard Goldblatt (Translator)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Viking (1993)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000IWTNJY
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,953,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unforgettable Historical Fiction!, August 17, 2000

By 

Shogun Len "tokieyasu" (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Sorghum: A Novel of China (Mass Market Paperback)

The Japanese Invasion of China in 1937 is a dark period in history. The Japanese committed many horrible crimes and atrocities on the Chinese population. Red Sorghum in very graphic graphic detail describes some of these atrocities and their impact on the Chinese civilian population.

But the book is much more than that. WWII does play a major role in the book, but the book is also a look into Chinese culture, family, and is such a moving window on China during this time period.

This is not an easy read. The translation is very good, but the book is very detailed and again at times very graphic. I do not like to bash books like the Good Earth or The Single Pebble as many people do. I agree that neither book was written by a Chinese person and I understand some of the criticism that orginates from that fact. I enjoyed both books and think they are valuable. HOwever, if you are from the school that demands a Chinese author and a Chinese voice to Chinese literature you must read Mo Yan. He is a gifted writer and he brings to life some very difficult times in Chinese History.

This is a very powerful book and parts of it will stay with you long after you have read the book. Again, this is not an easy book to read but well worth the effort.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars brutal, real, June 14, 2002

By 

Wyote (Seoul) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Red Sorghum: A Novel of China (Mass Market Paperback)

I have never read such a brutal, graphic novel. It is truly rare for an author to capture the horror of evil so clearly or powerfully. Reading this book is like being beaten up.

At the same time, it is about life. Within the tragedy is a story about people facing and overcoming evil. Because it does not look away from the horror, the hope it implies is authentic. Thus this book distinguishes itself.

I recommend this book for a mature reader because of its powerful content. It will not leave you unchanged. You will shiver, and think.

It is an allegory for the communist takeover of China, and the film that this book inspired won the "Golden Bear" award. An old, leprous landlord represents the corruption of the Guomingdan period. But his murder enables a young woman to take over, and clean up the winery, representing China. The book shows peasants glorified, a new role for women, the breaking down of class barriers, and a brave struggle against Japanese invaders. All of this must have made it dear to Chinese communists!

Perhaps a few Western readers will imagine that all this makes it a less compelling book, however. I don't think so, and I suggest reading it yourself. At least see the movie, which follows the book fairly well.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a painted book, August 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Red Sorghum: A Novel of China (Mass Market Paperback)

i felt as though reading a painting. the contents are so narrative and graphic it will make you think all over again after you read one scene. though some contents are quite morbid nevertheless it is a good book for booklovers all over the world. you will feel the pain of each character and become attached to them. one of the many good books in chinese literature translated.