China's Son: Growing Up in the Cultural Revolution
China's Son: Growing Up in the Cultural Revolution
Author: Da Chen
Desc: A candid memoir about growing up during the Chinese Cultural Revolution adapted by the author from his Colors of the Mountain published by Random House. Da Chen was born in China in 1962. The grandson of a landlord he and his family were treated as outcasts in Communist China. In school Da was an excellent student until a teacher told him that because of his “family’s crimes ” he could never be more than a poor farmer. Feeling his fate was hopeless Da responded by dropping out and hanging around with a gang. However after Mao’s death Da realized that an education and college might be possible but he had to make up for the time he’d wasted. He began to study–all day and into the night. His entire family rallied to help him succeed working long hours in the rice fields and going into debt to ensure that Da would have an education. When the final exam results were posted he had one of the highest scores in the region and had earned a place at the prestigious Beijing University. Now his family’s past would not harm their future. From the Hardcover edition.