Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (2000)

I loved the premise of a historic novel based on the Chinese revolution and the re-education of the main character. Since the author lived through this part of history, I was hoping for a bit more history. There was too much love for the Little Seamstress for my taste, but I was engaged while reading and will remember parts of the story for a long time. I'd like to give it 3.5 stars, so I'll round it up.
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Two young friends are sent to a remote Chinese village to serve as laborers - a part of their "re-education" during Chairman Mao Zedong's infamous Cultural Revolution (1970s). They share a forbidden suitcase of books with the beautiful little Chinese seamstress, and their lives are transformed forever. Though this book was originally written by the author in French, it was translated exquisitely into English. "A dusting of ashes clung to the bow as it slid across the gleaming metal strings in which the firelight was reflected. The instrument was mine, and I was the player." There were times when I literally got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put it down (usually a sign of good writing). Not only that, but I actually learned a lot about a time, place, and historical events that I didn't know much about before. This is a special story about true hardship and friendship, young and wild love, and the high price of freedom. I would recommend it to older teens. ( )

Engaging and quick little read, but its brevity may be its weakness for me. While I enjoyed the bright and clean writing style, there just wasn't enough depth to deliver on the (potential but not fully realized) themes. I do, however, feel compelled to read some Balzac now...or something else with the depth I prefer. ( )

This book has a very odd ending. Spoiler: the girl leaves the town. - I feel this is more suited to be a beginning. The author wrote of how she was patiently learned and prepared herself for the departure throughout the book. However, the reader is left wondering was it enough? What happens? And is a such an escape possible without later regret? ( )

I miss my Minnesota book club -- although we had been living in Maine for several months, I got to meet with them in February 2006 and this was the book we were reading. Two teenage boys from intellectual families are exiled to the deep countryside during the Cultural Revolution. This is the story of their flirtation with a local girl and their discovery of Western classics like Balzac, in Chinese translation. It's a short and enjoyable book that nevertheless can be very discussable and give one a lot to think about. ( )