Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress : A Novel
9 journalers for this copy...
A friend (and fellow bookcrosser) got a lot Christmas gift certificates from a major bookstore chain. When I joined him on his shopping spree, he was kind to share his wealth and bought me this book :)
11th book read in 2004: A pleasant book that now has my interest piqued to read some of the western classics mentioned. In a poignant and descriptive matter, Sijie reminds us to not take the freedom of our ability to choose the books we read for granted. I also loved the ending.
Offered on CasualReader Bookrelay.com site as part of the "Recent Fiction" category and has been accepted by Valkyrie119.
Journal Entry 4 by MizzSmile at --Controlled Release in Santa Clara, California USA on Tuesday, August 3, 2004
Released on Monday, August 02, 2004 at Released to another BookCrosser in Santa Clara, California USA.
Finally sent book off to Valkyrie119 as part of a bookrelay!
Finally sent book off to Valkyrie119 as part of a bookrelay!
Thank you, I'll attempt a review after I read it and pass it on.
Beautifully written story about the love for the written word, young love and the influence books and people can have on others
Mailed to frybaby Nov 23
Mailed to frybaby Nov 23
Got it today. Thanks!
Quick and enjoyable. I, also, am now interested in reading some of the books mentioned.
7/30-reserved for tinya
7/30-reserved for tinya
Book received. Thank you!
Shipped to BookCrossing member tranq1 in Tampa, FL
Received in the mail. It is a RABCK from tinya. Thank you very much. I am looking forward to reading it.
Journal Entry 12 by tranq1 at Previously Crossed Bookbox in Previously Crossed Bookbox, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (7/9/2008 UTC) at Previously Crossed Bookbox in Previously Crossed Bookbox, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Pulling from the book box. I think I started this one a long time ago.
Journal Entry 14 by batty14 at Book Box, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, October 12, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (10/15/2008 UTC) at Book Box, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Adding to Multicultural Box.
Adding to Multicultural Box.
I chose this book from Supertalya's Multicultural Fiction Bookbox.
This book was just a little slow to start for me, but once I got into it I really enjoyed most of the book. It was a quick read that I finished in one night. I didn't really "get" how things ended with the seamstress, but I still enjoyed this book.
I am reserving this book for my Professions Bookbox.
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Amazon Editorial Review:
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress is an enchanting tale that captures the magic of reading and the wonder of romantic awakening. An immediate international bestseller, it tells the story of two hapless city boys exiled to a remote mountain village for re-education during China’s infamous Cultural Revolution. There the two friends meet the daughter of the local tailor and discover a hidden stash of Western classics in Chinese translation. As they flirt with the seamstress and secretly devour these banned works, the two friends find transit from their grim surroundings to worlds they never imagined.
I am reserving this book for my Professions Bookbox.
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Amazon Editorial Review:
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress is an enchanting tale that captures the magic of reading and the wonder of romantic awakening. An immediate international bestseller, it tells the story of two hapless city boys exiled to a remote mountain village for re-education during China’s infamous Cultural Revolution. There the two friends meet the daughter of the local tailor and discover a hidden stash of Western classics in Chinese translation. As they flirt with the seamstress and secretly devour these banned works, the two friends find transit from their grim surroundings to worlds they never imagined.
Journal Entry 17 by ladybug74 at Book Box, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, February 21, 2009
Journal Entry 18 by trekwoman from -- Somewhere In The State --, California USA on Saturday, June 6, 2009
I chose this from ladybug74's "Professions" bookbox.
Journal Entry 19 by trekwoman from -- Somewhere In The State --, California USA on Friday, August 21, 2009
Really an incredible book. First, the notion that educated students could be taken from their homes and put into forced labor by peasants.. what an idea! And what purpose could it possibly serve (other than to mentally break people)? If education was such a horrid thing, why not limit it, or choose only certain people to have the honor of education?
And yet, the boys and some of the villagers went back into the city to seek services from educated people (gynocologists, dentists, priests).. I had a little bit of trouble following the logic on that one.
Additionally, I was surprised at the risks Luo took with the Little Seamstress. He was a selfish one. Childish, too, getting people into trouble, stealing, leaving others to clean up the messes he created. I did wonder what would happen if a person from the village (or the country) chose to go into the city. Would they be subject to re-education, if lucky enough to become educated in the first place?
An unexpected book, which I enjoyed reading. Am going to send this along to illiterati00 next.
And yet, the boys and some of the villagers went back into the city to seek services from educated people (gynocologists, dentists, priests).. I had a little bit of trouble following the logic on that one.
Additionally, I was surprised at the risks Luo took with the Little Seamstress. He was a selfish one. Childish, too, getting people into trouble, stealing, leaving others to clean up the messes he created. I did wonder what would happen if a person from the village (or the country) chose to go into the city. Would they be subject to re-education, if lucky enough to become educated in the first place?
An unexpected book, which I enjoyed reading. Am going to send this along to illiterati00 next.
Journal Entry 20 by trekwoman at Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Monday, August 24, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (8/26/2009 UTC) at Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
A controlled release to another BCer.
A controlled release to another BCer.
Sent to me from a lovely bookcrosser, to replace my stolen collection!
