Customer Reviews

Spring Moon: A Novel of China

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a fascinating look at the history of China from the 1890's through the mid 1900's. The story is told through the eyes and observations of Spring Moon, who begins the novel as a young girl. Her feet had been bound as was traditional, symbolizing a person who has their feet planted firmly in the old ways and traditions, yet her mind measures and tests everything she sees and hears. This is a complete contradiction of the old ways, when young girls were silent and did as they were instructed. Her eldest Uncle makes the decision to teach her to read and write, and in so doing, opens her mind to yet more questions. The story proceeds through the opening of Chinese ports to foreign trade,control and influence (particularly Christianity, the period of "secret societies" against the Manchu dynasty, the Boxer Rebellion, the return of the Empress Dowager to the throne, the 1911 Chinese Revolution, the Kuomintang period of control, Japanese demands in 1915, a subsequent period of warlords and various factional control, World War I, more civil war, the founding of the Communist Party, the divisiveness between the Communists and the Kuomintang parties, the "Long March" of the Communists to escape death, and all the way through to when China was "opened" and Chinese who had fled were able to go back. While this seems like an extensive historical list, it is lived by Spring Moon, her daughter, and their extended family. It expertly weaves the story of their lives and those around them, breathing life into a story of the Chinese culture and China's conflict strewn history. It paints a clear picture of each side and of those caught in the middle. The wonderful talent of this author, Bette Bao Lord, manages to do all this and never once loose the readers attention. This was a truly wonderful story.

The review by Jeanne-Scott thoroughly summarizes Spring Moon. It is difficult reading but well worth the time. I can only recommend this book to people who have a keen interest in East Asian cultures and history, as it is completely immersed in the politics and revolutionary thought of the era. Whether some of the translations from Chinese literature are precisely accurate or not is immaterial to the prevailing sense of helplessness conveyed and the struggles experienced by the main character, Spring Moon, during this period of constant upheaval as China abandons its ancient tradition of an imperialistic monarchy and adopts the philosophies of a socialist order. This is a modern classic worthy of sharing shelf space with such books as The Dream of the Red Chamber (Tsao Hsueh-Chin), Snow Country (Yasunari Kawabata), The Last Emperor (either version by either author), The Woman Warrior (Maxine Hong Kingston), and The Joy Luck Club (Amy Tan). A truly cultured tale for truly cultured people; quite entertaining and thought provoking.

Nothing short of a holodeck will take you back to 1900's China unless you read Spring Moon. I would not be surprised to see this book on a list of required reading for anyone studying Chinese culture. A tale of love, war, family ties. It is all there. The plot, while difficult to follow for light readers, is engaging and thoroughly entertaining. Not for the weak at heart, but if u are willing to devote some time (it is near 6oo pages in paperback) you will not be disapointed!

Every member of our book discussion group (all women) liked this book--almost unprecedented in the last 3 years. Bette Bao Lord poetically relates the story of civil war and social change in China from 1892 to the early 1970s through the life story of Spring Moon, who lived a privileged life in a family of scholars. Names like Bold Talent, Glad Promise, Lustrous Jade and August Winds hint at the destiny of those who bear them. The bound feet of Chinese women are referred to as golden lilies. This beautiful language conveys an action story of social revolution, love, treason, and intrigue. Each chapter begins with a quote from Chinese history, legend, or poetry to put it into cultural perspective. An entertaining and enlightening read

I first read "Spring Moon" years ago and immediately fell in love with it. In many ways "Spring Moon" is an epic novel, following Spring Moon's life from the time she was a little girl (the end of the 19th century, China) through her old age (Communist China).

Spring Moon lived through tumultuous times, and the history of China is the back-drop of this wonderful story. The characters are vividly drawn. Love, adventure, and intrigue abound. Even the politics/history comes alive.

"Spring Moon" is a long book, but once you start reading it, you won't be able to put it down. In fact, no other book captivated me as much until I read that other book with a strong, Asian, feamle character. Maybe you've heard of it....it's called "Memoirs of a Geisha".

Starting at the end of the 19th century, Spring Moon and the rest of the clan take you through all the historical events in Chinese history. You learn about the killings of the Boxer Rebellion when one charator, Dummy, tells Spring Moon how her parents died. You learn what its like when one side of your family is a Nationalist and the other a Communist. Spring Moon's clan breaks apart slowly as people move away. Such rituals like the kowtow take on new meaning to Spring Moon. Spring Moon and her husband Resolute Sprit take us through the Long March and her soldior uncle, Nobel Talent takes us into the hardships of respecting the clans rituals (like 3 years of mourning) and being unable to fight. If you are studying recent Chinese history this is definitally a book to pick up and read.

I read this book for a book talk for my 9th grade advanced english class. At first I was a little intimidated by it's legth of about 562 pages, but I was curious enough to learn about chinese tradtions to read it. To tell You the truth, I absolutely loved it and I recommend it to anyone interested in chinese history and traditions along with a (fiction)storyline, that makes you fall in love with the characters. In honesty, I was also some-what confused with chinese military-history, but the book made me interested enough in the topic to make me pick up a history book and study.

This book is the "Chinese Gone With The Wind." i fell in love with it the first time i read it. It's so real and so beautifully written. Spring Moon is a character that i'll never forget.

I read this book many years ago and I still have fond memories of this book. I just ordered it to add it to my collection it is a book that I would buy again and again for all of the young women in my family. It is a timeless tale of family,growing up, and the changing world around us. A must read.

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down and I didn't want it to end. It is so amazing to me that less than 100 years ago women in China (of a certain class) still bound their feet, the family clan was the center of people's lives, women were so confined, and look at what has happened since. What an amazing journey China has been through. The characters in this book were so well drawn. It felt at times like I could see them telling me their story. I really enjoyed the week I spent with this book:) A great history lesson, great human emotions, great characters.. I'll be recommending it for our book club.