The Good Women of China
Hidden Voices
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4.4 • 20 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
When Deng Xiaoping’s efforts to “open up” China took root in the late 1980s, Xinran recognized an invaluable opportunity. As an employee for the state radio system, she had long wanted to help improve the lives of Chinese women. But when she was given clearance to host a radio call-in show, she barely anticipated the enthusiasm it would quickly generate. Operating within the constraints imposed by government censors, “Words on the Night Breeze” sparked a tremendous outpouring, and the hours of tape on her answering machines were soon filled every night. Whether angry or muted, posing questions or simply relating experiences, these anonymous women bore witness to decades of civil strife, and of halting attempts at self-understanding in a painfully restrictive society. In this collection, by turns heartrending and inspiring, Xinran brings us the stories that affected her most, and offers a graphically detailed, altogether unprecedented work of oral history.
Customer Reviews
The Good Women of China
An important and well-written account of misogyny in rural & urban areas of China. Difficult to read at times because the circumstances are so tragic. Xinran's no nonsense style of writing and use of real conversations with real women help the reader forge forward. I had never heard of this author before reading this book. I now want to read whatever she's written and look forward to seeing more from Xinran. This could not have been easy to compile or record, but I'm certain it was necessary. I applaud this author and encourage all women ( and men) to read this journalistic account of the lives of contemporary women. Plenty is written about the ancients; foot bindings, concubines, oppression and illiteracy. Rare is the more contemporary struggles against prejudice, hysteria, sexual dysfunction and violence against modern women. Thank you for this compelling book. It should be made part of the curriculum of elementary and secondary education for both girls and boys in China. The holocaust, slavery and other worldwide genocide and wars (routine and well read topics) pale when compared to the thousands of years of violence and oppression of good Chinese girls and women.