Rating: 
Summary: Fiction desguised as autobiography
Review: I was excited to acquire the book after reading all the positive reviews. I wish I could get my money back now. It is, at best, a fiction desguised as autobiography. The story is full of holes. For instances, three years of great starvation ended in 1961,not 1962 as stated in the book and Cultural Revolution started in 1966, not 1962, as stated in the book's front jacket. Then there is the "heartbreaking" scene of him lacking 3yuan to pay for tuition because pigs were not ready for sale. Tuition and books were free in China. A landlord's family would not be allowed to have pigs. (My grandparents were landlords. Everything of any value was taken away.) The college entrance exam was very competitive the first year it was open in 1976 after 10 years of the Cultural Revolution. By 1977, the second year the exam was offered, the competition was not so fierce as Da Chen led the readers to believe.
Rating: 
Summary: Colors of the Mountain
Review: This is an extraordinary book. The struggles that Da Chen went through are so foreign to the average American, we know in the abstract that we are lucky to be born here, but Colors of the Mountain hammers it home. And we are lucky that this is still a place that people want to flee to rather than from. China is going to be a big part of our future; this book gave me a piece of the puzzle of China. I can't wait for the next book.
Rating:
Summary: This is a wonderful book
Review: I loved this book. I think Da Chen's tone was perfect. I don't agree that this was maudlin or syrupy, just a straightforward telling of his childhood. I found it extremely interesting to compare the children and society of Da Chen's time and place to that of my own. So many similarities in the way children and adults behave. Also, the Cultural Revolution really ought to make all of us think twice about imposing our views and values on others. I can't imagine anyone not enjoying this book. I recommend it to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful Painting
Review: Colors of the Mountain is the story of a small boy's struggle to understand and fit in. The story is set in China during the oppressive regime of Chairman Mao. Da Chen paints the story of his struggle during a time when his family was ostracized, because of his grandfather's success prior to the revolution. This is inspirational! Truly a pleasure to read... I couldn't put it down! Li Chen's review, I found way off the mark. I also sensed some envy and hostility. Maybe Li Chen wishes he/she were capable of communicating as effectively as Da Chen does. This book is definitely worth reading!
Rating: 
Summary: Recommended, but beware the syrup.
Review: Fans of the memoir form will very much enjoy reading 'Colors of the Mountains' by Da Chen. He paints the reader a rare picture of rural life in Mao's Cultural Revolution. Chen does a wonderful job of writing the story from a child's perspective. While the reader will be shocked by the injustices and inhumanity Chen's family endures, they are softened through the eyes of a child who, while aware that their treatment is ethically problematic, has become accustomed to them in his rearing. Possibly the most endearing feature of this memoir, is the depiction of Chen's family. They provide him with a foundation of support and faith that are able to carry him through adversity into acheivement. My greatest issue with this book is that the narrator's (Chen) perspective doesn't mature a great deal from age 6 through 15. This led me to put the book down on several occasions to avoid being drown in the syrup of Chen's undying, almost nauseating optimism. Now and then, I found myself hoping the narrator would wallow in misery and torment over a failure just to interrupt the unstoppable stream of happiness and success. (NOTE TO READERS: I am not a member of anything resembling a Sunshiny Optimist League which may skew my opinions here just a bit.) Although sticky sweet here and there, I greatly enjoyed this book (really!). I turned the last page with a better understanding of China's Cultural Revolution and its effects on the average citizen. I also left with a renewed sense of the values of faith, integrity and familial love.
Rating:
Summary: Colors of the Mountain shine bright
Review: Da Chen's tale is both entertaining and inspiring. His perseverance and hope despite the chaotic times of the Cultural Revolution are uplifting. His story illustrates the power of the human spirit, and also the profound impact that kind adults (his cousin, Wen Qui, and his English teacher, Professor Wei) can have on an impressionable youngster, as he stood at various crossroads in his life. If you enjoyed reading Gus Lee's coming-of-age story, "China Boy," you'll also appreciate this book. Hopefully, the author will write a sequel to further track his adventures, from country bumpkin to prestigious Beijing Language Institute, and later, Columbia University Law School.
Rating:
Summary: A Lovely Story
Review: I am more than half way through this book and am enjoying it very much. It has shown me the strong love a family can express in nurturing a gifted child through a very difficult period of time. Da Chen was a delightful child. This is a book I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
Rating: 
Summary: Advance praise for Da Chen
Review: "The Cultural Revolution has Da Chen in its sights, but the lad dances a Huckleberry scamp down the Dong Jing River. Da Chen is Lu Hsun, returned. Earthy and literate, picaresque and humanist, Chen spins a winning story from bold, golden strands." -- Gus Lee, author of CHINA BOY "Da Chen has written a remarkable coming-of-age memoir filled with humiliation, revenge, vindication, and, ultimately, pride. Born with the wretched political birthmark of being a landlord's son, he has looked back at his life without cynicism or self-pity. COLORS OF THE MOUNTAIN is a book of great dignity." -- Lisa See, author of ON GOLD MOUNTAIN
Rating:
Summary: Colors of the Mountains
Review: The book, Colors of the Mountain by Da Chen, is about a young boy who is the son of a landlord. Landlords in those days were very poor people can literally spit on them or beat them up. The story talks about the life of Da and all the hardships he goes through in life. Da lives in a family of nine; one brother, three sisters, his grandparents, and his parents. He was being continuously kicked out or denied to continue to go to school. I like this book because the story is very strong. It will hit almost every emotion you have in your body. From sad, happy, or to angry, it will get there at some point. I really like it when there is a happy part to the book. I like it because it made me feel really happy for Da. What else I like about the book was the detail of the story. The story had a lot of detail which made the book a lot easier to understand. The storyline was also a great part of the book. The book was very unique, the story had the same concept as other books but different because it was set in China. I recommend this book for everyone to read. You will enjoy it as much as I did.
Rating:
Summary: a beautiful book
Review: Colors of the Mountain is a beautiful narrative. I understand many people didn't enjoy this book based on its incorrect history and such. But me, being someone who's not overly educated in this field, loved the story. There is a sort of determined spirit involved in each word, every sentence. The memoir carries not only of what has happened, but there is definite soul. The feelings are here are all real and presented in the utmost rawness.
I found the dedication absolutely beautiful
"To Grandpa, for your smiling eyes;
to Grandma , for your big feeding spoon.
To my mother: you are all things beautiful;
and my father: you are forever."
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