Customer Reviews

Sounds of the River: A Memoir

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I passed by this book in book stores a couple of times. At first, the name Chen Da sounded familiar. Then I thought that it could be because that it is a very common name in China. Last time, I could not help myself to pick up the book. It makes me happy to see another author with Chinese name wrote another story about life in China. Then I opened the book. First came Beijing Institute of Languages, then the Going Abroad Department. All of sudden, I realized that this Chen Da was one of the English teachers who taught my class at that college when I was preparing my own Going Abroad in 1985. I looked Chen Da's picture inside the book sleeve again. Finally I recognized his face.
Chen Da in my memory looked very much different from what he looks like today. Back then, he sported blue jeans while teaching in the classroom, wear long hairs, very thin built with a very big nose on his face, was a very cynical, and hippie looking. From that memory, I just can't imagine that Chen Da could sit down, and write serious books about his past. Having this book in my hand, I just can't be more happy for him. What the difference 17 years makes. We are getting old.
I took my English training in Going Abroad Department at the Beijing Institute of Languages in early 1985. China was opening its door to the outside world. Every college graduate with a brain were doing whatever they could to go abroad to study whatever they could.I was going to U.S. to study Philosophy. My class was the first one that the Going Abroad Department ever had to admit students who paid their own tuitions....It generated lots of demand. As result, the Going Abroad Department offered more classes in following semasters, of course, the tuition were doubled, trippled. They learned the Capitialist way very quickly.
I remembered the American composer Chen Da mentioned in his book. There was another American who taught my class. I think his first name was Tony. He had been in China for a few years. People thought he worked for CIA. Because unless he was on some kind of special assignment, it was hard for people to imagine that American could endured the harsh living conditions in China: dusty road, overcrowded buses, dirty food, etc. Tony complained about those in my class all the times.
I politely give Chen Da's book 5 stars due to reasons mentioned above. Frankly, I don't understand how American readers would be interested in stories of Chen Da: there was nothing out of extraordinary. Those are the things happened in China everyday.
I would apologies to Chen Da if my candid comments offended him.I just couldn't help myself not to write these. I have same memories about our past just as he does.

I heard the author on NPR one day as he read a small excerpt from this book. I had not yet read his previous books. The small excerpt sparked my interest in the book, and the initial inspiration didn't mislead me. This was a fascinating book, with plenty of natural humor, and momentary turns of poetry, particularly when the author becomes homesick. It is not precious, but a nod to something sacred and cherished. I'm currently reading Chen Da's previous books, and hope to review them at a later date.

I loved this book, even though I felt like the ugly capitalist American while reading it.

While set in Beijing in the 1980's, it still evoked memories of when I was there in 2000. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the traditional marriage arrangements and ceremonies in Da Chen's home town.

We adopted our 2nd child from China in 2000 and will travel again in 2003 for our 3rd. In 2000, I was in China for 2 weeks and was always accompanied by interpreters from the local province college.

One of the adoptive families befriended one of the interpreters and worked tirelessly to get her a full scholarship to a university in the U.S. I heard that she had some difficulty obtaining a Visa to the U.S. and now I understand why.

I have recommended this book to parents who are planning to adopt Chinese children - to help them better understand the culture their children are from.

I loved reading this book and the descriptions of rural Chinese traditions and the hard scrabble life of the author as a student in Beijing.

I went to China in 2002 to adopt our 2nd child and we were accompanied by several interpreters from the local college. Having read this book, I now wonder what they had to do to get these positions - were they the back-stabbing types or the deserving ones? I am travelling to China again in 2003 for our 3rd child and I will now wonder again and maybe even ask them how they came about their assignments.

I am an American who lived in Shanghai, China for 1/2 year in 2001/2002.
It's a magical country with so many different customs and
beliefs. I miss those sweet, smiling people. Da Chen's
Sounds of the River answered so many questions in my mind.
He is an master of words and thoughts. I'm so thankful
I found this novel because it enriched my life. Thank
you Da Chen.

TREMENDOUS BOOK, GREAT EXPERIENCE, FAST SHIPPING. THIS IS A MARVELOUS
BOOK ABOUT A YOUNG CHINESE MAN EXPERIENCING HIS FIRST YEAR OF
COLLEGE.

Sounds of the River is a wonderful book, beautifully written. Actually all of Da Chen's books have been outstanding to read. He tells a riveting story in a lyrical language making it hard for the reader to ever put the book down. I eagerly await his next one.

I went to college in Beijing in the late 1980's, so I thought I could say a thing or two about Mr. Chen's depiction of college life and life in general in China at the time. Although I don't know him personally, I found many instances of exaggerations and inaccuracies that supposedly serve to romanticize inconsequential happenings in his life. This literary method is probably okay for a work of fiction, but completely inappropriate for a book billed as "A Memoir."

Sounds Of The River is a four cassette, six hour, abridged audio narration of the second book of a trilogy of memoirs about author Da Chen, and his experiences in the Cultural Revolution of Communist China. Listeners learn of Da Chen's travails in studying at the University of Beijing, his being confronted with truly horrible living conditions, dealing with a chronic lack of food, suicidal roommates, and power-abusing professors. Da Chen's life experiences in mainland China are recounted with depth and candor in this impressive and highly recommended account.

With 'Sounds of the River', Da Chen continues the extraordinary tale of his extraordinary life. He offers a priviliged peek into the mysteries of a foreign culture and into the soul of a remarkable man. Read this book and rejoice in Da's journey, his courage and his poetic command of his new language. A pitch-perfect follow-up to 'Colors of the Mountain.' Highest recommendation.