A Leaf in the Bitter Wind

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Story of Struggle, But Lacking Something
Review: A Leaf in the Bitter Wind was a book I read for my Non-Western Culture class in college (I'm an English major). This powerful story about one woman's struggle for her family's freedom from a politically obsessed society is a touching one. Of course, there also seems to be some element missing, probably due to the fact that Ah Si (the name she's more fondly known as) tells the book from her childhood perspective during most of the novel. She creates a brilliant portrayal of the struggle she must endure during these days in Communist China. And after all that, I must say I found the end a little disappointing. Overall, I would recommend this book - especially to those who are not aquainted with the true story of the situation that occurred in Communist China during Mao Ze-Dong's reign.

Rating:
Summary: Must Read!!
Review: Among all the books that I read about the Cultural Revolution and all the political turmoils that happened in China, Ting-Xing Ye is the only writer who is as honest and straight-forward as she could be in telling her extraordinary life. Without any cosmetic phrases and additions, the book took me through a turbulent journey as if I were accompanied by Ye herself. Once I started I couldn't put down the book. I kept on flipping back to the pages where a bunch of her family's photos were displayed. Repeatedly I looked into their eyes and asked "why?" I admired Ye's courage and I wish her the best. Like others I would love to know whether she got a chance to meet her daugher subsequently. Bravo!!

Rating:
Summary: A gripping tale
Review: In this touching and gripping story we read of the life of Ting-Xing Ye growing up during the 50's - 70's. A real page turner, you read fast just to see what horrifying thing is going to happen next. It sure makes one appreciate life in a free country. My heart bleeds for those who had to suffer.
I highly recommend. ...

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book,: well written personal history of China
Review: This book tells the incredible story of one woman and her family and their experiences in 20th Century China. The story is told with great skill and beauty and, though disturbing, is a pleasure to read. A great window onto the history of China and a great story in and of itself. An important book.

Rating:
Summary: The best book I read in 1998
Review: This was my first Chinese autobiography and I was absolutely blown away at how incredible it was, how engagingly written it was, and what an amazing survivor Ye Ting-Xing is. Witnessing her family ostracised by the government as Capitalist traitors, losing her parents at such a young age, seeing her family scattered everywhere for a great cause that no-one seemed to really understand, humiliated, tortured, - this is only the half of it. Many of us have read about people around the world living such hardships, but it's easy to forget and not to sympathise when their lives seem so far away and different to ours. But with Ye's intimated and captivating style of her life, we are drawn into her world, and walk away feeling a small part of the pain ourselves. Sometimes the best way to learn about something is through feelings. And it makes you appreciate your life's comparatively small burdens by comparison, makes you appreciate the fact that you can wash yourself with warm water every day. It's also a great eye-opener about 20th Century China - not by the history books which tell us what they want to, but by someone who was actually there, directly affected by it. Brilliant reading absolutely recommended to anyone.