06 Apr / The Vagrants by Yiyun Li [in Bloomsbury Review]
Full disclosure: this is one of the most heartbreaking books you’ll probably ever read. But read it you should.
A young woman – a political victim of post-Mao China – is about to die. While her voice remains missing throughout the novel, the many residents of remote Muddy River affected by her ensuing death are vividly brought to tragic life: her suffering mother, her resigned father, a pitifully crippled 12-year-old girl, a wandering older couple who have rescued, loved, then lost seven abandoned baby girls, a privileged government news announcer, and so many more. Li’s debut novel is a brilliant, wrenching reminder of the far-reaching, inseparable consequences of even our smallest actions.
Readers: Adult
Published: 2009
Yiyan Li is a very gifted writer. This book was simply magnificent. I have always been keenly interested in the effects on the Chinese people from the disastrous Culteral Revolution. However, everyone I know or met while living in China from 2003- 2005 did not want to talk about it, including those who lived during that era or had parents who experienced it. The story told by Li grahically depicts the aftermath of the Revolution and how various characters in a small town were impacted. The story was real, emotional, and tragic for me. I’m very grateful that Ms. Li had the courage and the talent to write this classic.
I’m sure you’ve noticed, but more and more titles about the Cultural Revolution are hitting bookshelves, which I for one am convinced is a very good thing. I hope you take a look at Xinran’s China Witness, which is included in this blog. Somehow, Xinran convinced many once-silent voices to tell their stories. Just put “Xinran” in the search field to find it. I think I’ve included many other titles here that might also be of interest to you, as well.
Like other tragic parts of our collective human history, the more we know, the most likely we will not repeat the same mistakes. That’s my story (and fervent hope) and I’m sticking to it!
Thanks so much for visiting my blog. Do check back again soon.
Terry, thanks for your tip on China Witness. I’ll be sure to look for it after I finish my current reading, Leong Ung’s First They Killed My Father. I agree that the more we know, the better we’ll be as real people.