Journal Entry 1 by Eucalia from Snoqualmie, Washington USA on Friday, April 23, 2004

I bought this book yesterday at the annual Sacramento SPCA fundraising used booksale. I've already read it, but I really enjoyed it and it's on many people's wishlists so I thought I'd share it in a bookring.

Here is my official review:

This is the story of two young men in China during the Cultural Revolution of the 1970's. The sons of doctors, they've been exiled to a remote village to be "re-educated." In this book we hear about a few of the adventures these young men have during their exile. The story is very simple and straightforward, yet charming and engaging. I found the story to be interesting because I don't know very much about China's Cultural Revolution, but this story doesn't do much and there are no surprises. Told almost entirely in the first person from the point of view of one of the young men, there are two chapters rather awkwardly thrown in told from the points of view of the other young man and a village girl. The ending was odd and rather abrupt. But at only 180 pages, this is a very quick, effortless and worthwhile read. 

Journal Entry 2 by Eucalia from Snoqualmie, Washington USA on Monday, April 26, 2004

This book is now part of a bookring!

A bookring is when a book is sent from one person to another through a list of members who have signed up for it and eventually ends up safe and sound back home with the person who started the bookring—me!

Here are the guidelines for this bookring:

1. When the person before you on the list is done reading the book they will send you a personal message (PM) asking you for your address. If you feel that you are too busy at that time to read the book within a reasonable time period (about 1 month), ask that person to skip you and go to the next person on the list. If this happens, PM me to let me know what’s going on and, if you want, I may be able to move you down the list so you can try again later.

2. When you receive the book, make a journal entry letting everyone know where the book is. Keep in mind that there are other people waiting to read the book after you, so try not to take too long to read it. A general rule of thumb is to have the book in your possession for no longer than one month. If you know you won’t be able to get to the book within a month, pass it on to the next person on the list, PM me letting me know, and I can move you down the list so you can try again later if you’d like. If you’re reading the book and it’s taking you longer than expected to finish, make a journal entry letting everyone know! Remember, there’s no such thing as too many journal entries.

3. When you’re done (or almost done) reading the book, send a PM to the next person on the list asking for their address. Even if you think you already know that person’s address, it’s a good idea to double-check to make sure their address hasn’t changed—and also make sure the list order hasn’t changed since you checked it last. If the next person on the list doesn’t respond to your PM within several days, try again. If you still get no response within one week, PM me to let me know what’s going on and then skip this person and try the next person on the list.

4. After you’ve finished the book, journal a quick review of it for us letting us know what you thought of it!

5. Send the book to the next person on the list and post a journal entry letting everyone know it’s on its way. Sit back, relax, and watch the journals as the book completes its journey! 

Journal Entry 3 by Eucalia from Snoqualmie, Washington USA on Monday, April 26, 2004

This bookring is currently open. PM me if you'd like to join.
The following is the current list of members. The list is subject to change.

1. goatgrrl (BC) anywhere
2. nwadel (ID) US only
3. RlyLv2Rd (MN) US pref
4. amber-h (GA) US only
5. mcbeth (FL) anywhere
6. ryanreader (FL) US pref
7. LesliePB (OH) anywhere
8. Politzania (IN) anywhere
9. CrazyGrace (MN) anywhere <--- it's here!
10. Funkybamboozle (Australia) anywhere
11. SUJIE (Borneo) anywhere
12. ffroggie (Ireland) anywhere
13. tootshelling (AZ) US pref 

Journal Entry 4 by Eucalia at sent to bookcrosser in Mailed, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, April 28, 2004

Released on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 at sent to bookcrosser in Mailed, Bookring Controlled Releases.

I mailed this book to goatgrrl this morning. Bye bye book, have a great trip! 

Journal Entry 5 by goatgrrl from New Westminster, British Columbia Canada on Monday, May 03, 2004

Journal Entry 6 by goatgrrl from New Westminster, British Columbia Canada on Tuesday, May 04, 2004

This was an extremely quick read -- the perfect kind of book for a bookring. I enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book very much, particularly the author's use of humour in describing the "re-education" experience of the narrator and his friend Luo (it struck me that this is exactly how bright seventeen and eighteen year olds would respond to such a challenge -- not with despair and anger, but with high spirited rebellion). I laughed out loud at "Mozart is Thinking About Chairman Mao", which really set the tone for the book and effectively drew me in. And I held my breath when Luo started talking about transforming the Little Seamstress, so she wouldn't always be a "simple mountain girl". (Uh oh.) I won't give away the ending of the book, except to say things kind of fell apart for me when the narrative voice changed from that of the original narrator's to the Miller's, then to others. I had to re-read the very ending, to be sure I correctly understood what had happened. All in all, though, this was a very enjoyable read. Thanks very much, Eucalia, for sharing this book!

Postscript: a group of students has created an excellent website on the history of China's Cultural Revolution (1966 - 1976). There's also an online Reading Group Guide for this book available here. 

Journal Entry 7 by goatgrrl from New Westminster, British Columbia Canada on Wednesday, May 05, 2004

Journal Entry 8 by nwadel on Wednesday, May 12, 2004

Hi! I just got the book today, i'll be starting on it tonight. Thanks goatgrrl and thanks for the goodies!! :) 

Journal Entry 9 by RlyLv2Rd from Viroqua, Wisconsin USA on Tuesday, June 08, 2004

I am so excited this arrived today! First, because it was recommended to me by another bookcrosser. Second, because I was listening to a news report on the irony of this book being about censorship...and it has been banned in schools in Washington State. Thanks, love the bookmark!!! 

Journal Entry 10 by RlyLv2Rd from Viroqua, Wisconsin USA on Friday, June 11, 2004

This book was excellent! I absolutely loved it from page #1. The imagery was vivid, the story was poignant, the characters mesmerizing! I started this tonight, and finished it tonight...One of my favorite books this year! The storytelling and love of books was inspiring, and makes you sit back and ask yourself how much you truly take for granted. I knew very little about the Cultural Revolution of China besides tidbets from an Eastern History college course. This made it all so vivid, so real. Thank you so much for sharing this Eucalia!

PS:goatgrrl your review was excellent!!! Loved your thoughts! :) 

Journal Entry 11 by amber-h from Atlanta, Georgia USA on Friday, June 18, 2004

I got it today in the mail, and I've already started reading it. I'll send it on once I'm done. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 12 by amber-h from Atlanta, Georgia USA on Saturday, June 19, 2004

This book sucked me in on the first page. A beautiful read, especially since it's been translated from the original. It really pulls you in, and doesn't leave you wanting.
I'm sending this out in the post Monday AM to mcbeth. 

Journal Entry 13 by mcbeth from Miami, Florida USA on Friday, June 25, 2004

Arrived today, I'm so excited! I'll start reading it this afternoon and journal again once I've finished and ready to send on. Thanks so much to everyone in the ring, especially to Eucalia for starting it. :) 

Journal Entry 14 by mcbeth from Miami, Florida USA on Monday, June 28, 2004

This was a magical story from beginning to end. I was surprised by the ending, there were several major events that I didn't expect to happen. Having read other books about the experiences of Chinese youth during this time period, this book was more lighthearted in its presentation of the hardships and suffering. The difficulties were evenly balanced with the simple pleasures of life. Thank you so much for sharing this book! It's on its way to ryanreader next. 

Journal Entry 15 by mcbeth from Miami, Florida USA on Monday, June 28, 2004

Mailed to ryanreader this morning. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 16 by ryanreader from Saint Petersburg, Florida USA on Thursday, July 01, 2004

This got here today..........THanks! 

Journal Entry 17 by ryanreader from Saint Petersburg, Florida USA on Monday, July 05, 2004

Finished this and now just waiting for the next person's address.

I liked this book, especially learning about re-education......but I was not blown away by it. At times I thought the book could be longer to tie things together a bit more, but then on the other hand one of the attractive traits was it's short length which flows well with the lighthearted tone!

Thanks for sharing....... 

Journal Entry 18 by LesliePB from Columbus, Ohio USA on Sunday, August 08, 2004

Will read ASAP! 

Journal Entry 19 by LesliePB from Columbus, Ohio USA on Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Really a fine one. A tight little story written with perfect simplicity. On to the next reader ASAP.

Leslie 

Journal Entry 20 by LesliePB at Mailing to fellow bookcrosser in Columbus, Ohio USA on Saturday, August 14, 2004

Released on Saturday, August 14, 2004 at Mailing to fellow bookcrosser in Columbus, Ohio USA.

Sent to Politzania in today's mail. 

Journal Entry 21 by Politzania from Kokomo, Indiana USA on Friday, August 20, 2004

Just received thru the mail from LesliePB - will try to squeeze it in this weekend so it can keep traveling... 

Journal Entry 22 by Politzania from Kokomo, Indiana USA on Sunday, August 22, 2004

It was a quicker read than I thought - here's my review. 

Journal Entry 23 by CrazyGrace from Minneapolis, Minnesota USA on Tuesday, October 05, 2004

Received this book in the mail about a week ago, and was unable to update until today. Have just now crawled out from under a landslide of books - such wealth have I! Will start it this week, and hopefully finish soon, review and keep it on it's merry way! 

Journal Entry 24 by CrazyGrace from Minneapolis, Minnesota USA on Wednesday, November 17, 2004

There is just no way I am going to get into this book right now. If I decide to pick it up later, well, I'll figure it out. I'm passing it along to the next person on the list. Happy reading!