Rating: 
Summary: evocative and beautfiul
Review: I could not put this book down and read it in a few hours. This is by far the best book I have read on traditional Chinese values and society in the early twentieth century from a feminine perspective. As a first-generation Chinese American, who grew up in Shanghai and came to America at the age of eight and attended an Ivy League school, I identified not only with the author's experience of growing up in America and the expectations placed on her, but also with the values with which her great-aunt (the protagonist of the book) was brought up. Through the voice of her great-aunt, Yu-I, Natasha Chang brings to light the complex and intricate nature of what it means to be Chinese, and moreover a Chinese woman -an obedient daughter, a western wife, a learned scholar, a dreamy artist, and dutiful mother - that is applicable even to Chinese-Americans in the twenty-first century. In Natasha and in Yu-I, I see myself, my mother, and my grandmother. The book is thoughtfully crafted and the sentiments beautifully expressed. At moments, I wanted to weep because the book is utterly nostalgic of the Old China and poignant relationships that are no more. Yet through Natasha's own narrative, one realizes that though Old China is no more, the pride and beauty of the Chinese heritage still courses through Chinese-Americans today. I really love how the author tries to unravel inexplicable Chinese concepts such as zhiqi (dignity), ren, li, filial piety, etc. An extra bonus, this book also acts as a brief survey of early twentieth-century Chinese history.The English title of "Bound Feet and Western Dress" suggests the struggles of westernization versus traditionalism faced by the two Chang women, but the Chinese title, "Yu-I and Chih-Mo", implies a more embedded reading. At the heart of the narrative is a Chinese love story. I did not get this point until the every end. This is a gem. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A good book, because it is a true story.
Review: I enjoyed the auuthor's simple writing style. The story is about a woman who decides whether or not to make her own life, or allow it to be decided for her. The best thing about this book, is that it is a true story. The book was fast reading, and very inspirational. I would reccommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A good book, because it is a true story.
Review: I enjoyed the auuthor's simple writing style. The story is about a woman who decides whether or not to make her own life, or allow it to be decided for her. The best thing about this book, is that it is a true story. The book was fast reading, and very inspirational. I would reccommend it.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent biography
Review: I learned about what it was like to be born a woman in China at the turn of the twentieth century when I was at high school. However, this book provides much in-depth information about the old Chinese customs-especially the role of Chinese women at the turn of the century. This book is filled with conflicts of traditional Chinese values vs. Western values. I admire Chang Yuyi's courage to tell her own story to her great-niece, Pang-Mei who took the time to write the story. Hsu Chi-Mo (Yu-i's ex-husband) was one of my famous writers since I was at junior high school. I read all poems, collected works, letters, essays, and diaries, etc. I was so fond of his romance with Luk Siu-Man. I learned that he had a "trouble marriage," however, it is the first time I am able to read about the other side of his life through his ex-wife, Chang Yu-i. Through this book Yu-I unveiled the "dark-side" of a famous scholar to the whole world. It is a great book. I enjoyed it very much.
Rating: 
Summary: Without Pang Mei's story intertwined I would have given it 5
Review: I love Chang Yu-I's story, it was fascinating & well written, but I found the the authors' story bored me to tears. Yes it was nice to have the author establish the relationship between the the tale of a young Chinese woman in the early part of the century and beyond, and her niece born and raised in America, but Pang-Mei/Natasha Chang's perspective was far too centered on her insecurities growing up as a first generation Chinese woman in a family of immigrants. Why not take a cue from her ancestors and be pleased with not only who he or she was as an individual, but of the family that they came from as well. Her obsession too with her parents accomplishments and her graduation from Harvard made me think that the author veers between self loathing and an inflated self worth. Had she not inserted herself into the story except as narrator, I believe that this would have been a better book. My message to Pang-Mei Natasha Chang is get over the petty childhood teasing and get on with your life--I'm sure your chief tormentor Douglas sure has.
Rating:
Summary: Without Pang Mei's story intertwined I would have given it 5
Review: I love Chang Yu-I's story, it was fascinating & well written, but I found the the authors' story bored me to tears. Yes it was nice to have the author establish the relationship between the the tale of a young Chinese woman in the early part of the century and beyond, and her niece born and raised in America, but Pang-Mei/Natasha Chang's perspective was far too centered on her insecurities growing up as a first generation Chinese woman in a family of immigrants. Why not take a cue from her ancestors and be pleased with not only who he or she was as an individual, but of the family that they came from as well. Her obsession too with her parents accomplishments and her graduation from Harvard made me think that the author veers between self loathing and an inflated self worth. Had she not inserted herself into the story except as narrator, I believe that this would have been a better book. My message to Pang-Mei Natasha Chang is get over the petty childhood teasing and get on with your life--I'm sure your chief tormentor Douglas sure has.
Rating:
Summary: I recommend the Chinese version of this book
Review: I read the Chinese version of this book and I strongly recommend it. I was really moved by this book (based on the Chinese version, translated by Tan Jiayu, published in Taiwan, ISBN 957-9553-66-3). I could feel the struggling of all its characters. The struggling between cultures, humanity and changes. I could feel the helpless and weakness of mankind. I haven't had a chance to read the English version but I believe it won't be too bad. Still, I recommend the Chinese version (if you can read Chinese). I think it is well-translated and what's more, you can read the beautiful and touching original letters and poems written by Hsü Chih-mo and the others. You can feel the deep sadness, and, confusion.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful Storytelling
Review: I really admire the neice as the writer of this book. Her passion for her great-aunt's story rubs off on the reader. Though Yu-i's story is reminescent of other books I have read on this subject; it is just as powerful.
Rating:
Summary: One side of the story.
Review: Natasha Chang writes well and the book was interesting. However, this is only one side of a very complex story. Telling only Chang Yu-i's story makes her husband, Hsu Chih-mo (Xu Zhimo) look very bad, and it is quite unfair-- how many of the readers would like to be married off at age eighteen to someone they never had never met and had nothing in common with? Xu thought that by having a public divorce, he could make a protest against this unfortunate custom, and in fact, young people in China today can be grateful that he and some others did stand up to the social pressure that made people accept this treatment for centuries. Unfortunately there is no biography of Xu in English and his poems are not translated very well, so it is difficult for readers to find out more about this exceptional man. There is a movie called April Rhapsody which tells some more of the story of the divorce that readers might be interested in, if they can find it with English subtitles. Unfortunately most of his wonderful poetry is not translated very well, or not translated at all. It would be a shame if this book was the only exposure that people had to him and his work. Notice that Youyi didn't hate him, in spite of the divorce; she buried him and cared for his parents. Natasha Chang was very young when she wrote this book and it shows-- people are more complicated that she seems to think.
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Breaking Away
Review: The popularity of Asian stories has increased over the last few years and Bound Feet and Western Dress, A Memoir is certainly one of the most endearing. The story of Chang U-i, a woman born in a traditional China who was trained in traditional Chinese thought and responsibility, but whose life spanned both the traditional and the modern--western--world, highlights the difficulty of bridging the very distant gap between ancient Chinese custom and the vast changes thrust upon it by the emerging western world. Married off at the early age of fifteen to a man she had never seen--as was the custom--U-i was left with her in-laws while her husband continued his education in the West. Even though she bore his family two sons, she scarcely knew her husband and was shocked when he demanded a divorce, as he put it, "the first couple in China to get a divorce." It is also the story of Pang-Mei, U-i's grand niece, who grew up in the United States and became interested in her great aunt's story. The juxtaposition of their lives and the corresponding parallels are not only interesting but also revealing of just how far U-i came from a young girl in China through her interesting and challenging life to the end where she was loved and cherished by many.
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