• China Books

    Here are some books about China that I have read and that I can recommend to you. Notice that if you decide to buy the book through these links, I will get a small share. But I will only tell about the books that I can sincerely recommend.

    Mao: The Unknown Story

    I am reading this book right now (2010.10.07) and even it’s pretty thick I hope to finish it this year. The book tells the story of Mao from his birth to his death. I believe it is very well written even I am reading the translated version of it in Finnish. It offers lots of information about Mao and the time he was living in. This book makes me want to read more about him and check are those facts in the book really true.

    I finished reading the book in late October and it’s a must read for anyone interested in modern Chinese history. The pictures in the book  got my boyfriend interested in his country’s history and I promised to explain more to him when my language skills are little bit better.

    Wild Swans : Three Daughters of China

    A book from Jung Chang who also wrote the Mao book together with his husband. This book tells a story of her grandmother, mother and her self in a fast changing China of 20th century. Originally I saw this book in my mom’s bookshelf and then basically stole it for myself. One of the best books I’ve read.

    Ufo in Her Eyes

    This is a book by Guo Xiaolu, the author that also wrote A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers. If I remember correctly I read this book last spring. Guo really has her own way of writing and for some readers it may seem little bit crazy. The story starts when UFO is seen in a Silver Hill Village and later on tells how the village changes after that. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read some contemporary Chinese literature.

    China Witness

    Started reading this book few days ago (today is 23th July 2011) and love it! It’s full of interviews from Chinese elderly people who tell their stories and what life was like in the 20th century. Like the author Xinran says, it’s not easy to get these people to open up, but she truly accomplished that. If you are into modern Chinese history and have lots of unanswered questions about the last century, this is the book for you. I’m sure I could recommend anything from Xinran, but here are two books that I’ve read earlier: The good women of China and Miss Chopsticks.