Han Han

Much as with Beijing Baby, I'm tempted to remark that if this is the sort of thing that passes as dangerous dissidence in the PRC, that probably says more about the state's attitude than about the actual criticism... But then, Han makes the same point himself several times over: if China is really as powerful, just and fair as the official story claims, why do they need censorship? Why do they need to block search engines? Why do they need to command demonstrations against foreign interests show more while banning them for domestic issues? What are they so afraid of?

As with any collection of blog posts, there's a lot of "I think" and "In my opinion" here that isn't necessarily of interest, but Han has a good ear for satire ("Would you believe a capitalist country like Australia is so poor, they can't even afford tollbooths on the highways?") and occasionally delivers some quite bitter pills, directed both towards the government and those looking for a simple way of changing it. Of course, he has to work within what he can say and get away with it, which is often half the fun.

You can skip many of the bits about rally driving, though. show less

Lovely illustrations, beautifully composed music, and a touch of foreign culture, while holding the needed sense of familiarity, too...yep, this one holds everything possible to make it a wonderful read.

Everyone heads home as the day slowly comes to an end with groceries and children in tow. Apartment lights come to life, and the usual routines set in. Until the electricity goes out and leaves everything in darkness. But this little girl and her parents have a wonderful idea on how to create show more an evening everyone will enjoy.

I honestly don't know where to start praising this one. The illustrations are well done and allow the watercolor to carry the necessary details while still leaving an airy effect, which fits so well to the overall atmosphere of the story. Then, there's the story itself. It describes a scene most young listeners can relate to, in one way or another, with a little girl, who is just like any other little girl a person might meet. The evening routine's description is calming and will connect with many young listeners, while still pulling them in. And then, the entire thing hits a wonderful scene, which will leave listeners wishing they could take part, too...and they can, in a way.

That's where the music comes in. This book also includes an audio narration with background music, and the 'summer concert' itself in pure musical form. The music can be heard while simply flipping through the pages (it's impossible not to notice the composition's connection directly with the tale) or even on it's own. The instruments and composition also hold true to the Chinese culture, expanding young readers/listeners awareness on that end as well.

In other words, I enjoyed this one quite a bit and find it an excellent combination for young readers in single as well as group settings, and can really recommend it.

I received an ARC and found this to be beautifully done. show less

Tightrope Walker

Han Han (“Chill Chill”) is one of those starcrossed people. Coming from a modest rural family, and flunking in high school, he emerged with the best-selling novel of the past 20 years. His passion though, was racing, and he used his royalties to become a racecar driver, without any knowledge of motors or systems. He has also become a film director and major celebrity blogger. He now over 30.

This collection of his musings is obviously a translation, and the translators show more have worked hard to note the nuances that translating erases. They also footnote the personalities, events and language twists Han Han employs. The result is you can appreciate why he is widely read and highly regarded.

The look into his growing up in China reveals the same concerns, deeds and processes found here, with the one overhanging exception of intrusive, corrupt government. You don’t know where the boundaries are in China, so you have to be careful and self-edit all the time, both on paper and in person. He is very conscious of this, and pushes the limits to the breaking point. This of course, increases his readership and popularity all the more. So far, he has not been banned.

The best essay was his visit to Thailand, where his arrogant Chinese superiority got a major smackdown and comeuppance. He learned there were better people living in better societies, a major revelation. His sarcasm is self-deprecating, making it all the funnier. He had a similar awakening in Taiwan, and it would be interesting to know what he feels in the USA, if that comes to pass.

David Wineberg show less

Road trip!

1988: I Want to Talk with the World is, as one might guess by the previous sentence, is about a road trip. Our narrator is driving across China to pick up his friend from prison. A sex-worker comes along for the ride. He thinks about his childhood. For example, he was an eye-exercise monitor in school and if there was ever any doubt that I know so little about China it is completely encompassed in the fact that their are daily eye-exercises with monitors to ensure they are being show more done correctly. Also, this quote from 1988: Since leaving home, I've seen all sorts of strange shubbery. I don't even know what to do with that thought.

But road trips are road trips. They stop for snacks. They get in a traffic jam. They sleep at run-down motels. The rhythm of the road trip, the random thoughts and the philosophising-as-the-scenery-rolls-past, it's all there. The universality of the roadtrip. Although, I really wish that our narrator wasn't a john, even if he tries to paint himself as a valiant one (i.e. if he opens the door to a sex-worker, he pays her for her services regardless of whether he thinks her to be attractive or not. Um, yeah, okay.), but then he ends up kind of adorably buffoonish. I mean, it's hard not to root for someone who ends up tossing cremated ashes into the wind and having them blow back all over him, because, basically that's the sort of thing that would happen to me.

The prose and story veers wildly. There are trite sentiments (That nasty thing called time was passing). There are cute and affecting memories, like the story about all the kids playing marbles. There are completely ridiculous and useless coincidences (although I couldn't help thinking of some quote I read somewhere by someone who I don't remember basically saying that what isn't surprising in life is coincidences, it's how few there are given the huge number of possibilities. Maybe it was some physicist or a self-help author?). There are his memories of him trying to find his first love before he even knew her. Still, it's really hard to know what to expect and whether some of the randomness (seriously, shrubbery?) has more to do with cultural divides or translation.

The narrator's a rake, but he's rather endearing. That's the main thing I took away from this.

1988: I Want to Talk with the World by Han Han went on sale January 13, 2015.

I received a copy free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. show less