Rating: 
Summary: A great book. Enjoyable all the way through.
Review: This was a really great book. He is a very talented writer. This book has even increased my vocabulary. I was impressed how well he was able to make a memoir interesting, especially someone that is not famous. The story was pretty good overall, but I enjoyed actually reading it more than the story itself. I actually laughed out loud on several occasions. I will definitely be reading his second book very soon while his story and emotions are still fresh in my mind. I suggest this book to anyone that likes a witty, fresh, easy read.
Rating: 
Summary: Bitter Sweet
Review: Da's bitter sweet story of his life growing up during the cultural revolution in rural China had me laughing and crying at the same time. His story is on par with Angela's Ashes.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!!!!
Review: Colors of the Mountain by Da Chen was written to tell the world about his struggle to get an education. Da wanted the reader to know how poorly he was treated in Yellow Stone despite his accomplishments. He strived to get into a college and that was his main goal in life. I think that today us as students take advantage of being given an education. To Yellowstone, it was an option that only few were able to excel in. Da Chen dedicated his life to school. The message that I was sent was to be thankful for the public education system and to show how fortunate I am for everything that I am given. He showed me that you have to want to go to college and nothing can stop you if you're committed. But most of all I learned that you have to want it. You have to want to excel in college and if that means giving up your social life then so be it. You have to make sacrifices if you truly want it. In the end, you'll realize its only a small portion of what its worth.
Da Chen wrote his bibliography strictly from memory. However his descriptions were so precise and so descriptive it felt as if I were watching his childhood as a movie. I could easily picture the characters and settings that took place. Imagery is defiantly one of his strong points. Da writes so simply yet the more he writes, the more clear it becomes. Da is defiantly one of the better authors. He writes so well it's amazing for he has a lot of talent. I think that he enjoyed writing about his accomplishments and the adventures of his every day life. Da Chen has come so far. I would describe him as the definition of success. He knows the struggles as well as the enjoyment of he outcome.
Da Chen persuaded me in a way that can't be descried in words. He really motivated me in a sense to be more thankful and to strive a little farther than above average. His success story is exactly what students need to work harder and set you goals high. His childhood was so full of mystery and it was never boring, especially his friends. Da's everyday struggles were fascinating and most of the time it's hard to believe. The novel was never confusing for I could relate to his style of writing as well as some of his situations. His life was so astonishing. He was put down because of his family's political background yet he still did everything he could to get an education. This book defiantly needed to written just to simply inspire others. It was well worth his time as well as mine. I would highly recommend this book to those who need the extra push to excel. His remarkable tale is motivating to those who are thinking of college. It gives the extra edge that is needed to succeed and I realized that I need to be willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve my goals. I'm also looking forward to reading Da Chen's new book which is the sequel to Colors of the Mountain. Chen, Da. Colors of the Mountain. New York, Random House Inc., 2000. Time Spent: To Read: 7 hours; To Write: 1 hour. Word Count: 564
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