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Rating: 
Summary: Disturbing and dark
Review: The other reviews mention the graphic, nauseating chapter on unusual eating practices in China - things so horrifying to a Westerner that I won't even attempt to describe them.The reviews leave out the human atrocities in the book, and there are plenty. What this author's sister is forced to do to her hand to survive chills my blood and depresses me, even now, months after my initial reading. Overall, this is not a novel for the faint of heart - I can't express this enough! The chapter on animal abuse (I can't call it anything but) is the most revolting thing I have ever read, so BEWARE! If you are a vegetarian, don't even ATTEMPT this book. Aside from the dark content, I just did not find this book pleasing; the author is a selfish creep who abuses his family. I suppose the reader is supposed to write this off as cruel youth, but the entire book leaves a bad taste in your mouth. If you want to read something both lyrical and informative about China, try Falling Leaves, or Red Scarf Girl, or Bound Feet, Western Dress. Any of those memoirs would be an excellent read. Red China Blues is also a fascinating book, though written by a Westerner. Don't bother with this book unless you want to be nauseated by the cold writing and the graphic descriptions of animal torture.
Rating: 
Summary: Another World
Review: This book is captivating and full of flavor. Cao's writing style is very wonderful. When read The Attic, you gain access to a world that is not common to 20th or 21 century Americans. Cao describes his life of living in Shanghai China with very little materials but making the very best of it. The book is an excellent example of the human spirit overcoming the challenges of life. After you get into he book you just cant put it down. I would prescribe this book to anyone that would like to see into the life of mid 20th century China. Caution, this book has customs and parts of daily life that are very different from western custom. Please read with caution if you have a sensitive nature.
Rating:
Summary: Another World
Review: This book is captivating and full of flavor. Cao's writing style is very wonderful. When read The Attic, you gain access to a world that is not common to 20th or 21 century Americans. Cao describes his life of living in Shanghai China with very little materials but making the very best of it. The book is an excellent example of the human spirit overcoming the challenges of life. After you get into he book you just cant put it down. I would prescribe this book to anyone that would like to see into the life of mid 20th century China. Caution, this book has customs and parts of daily life that are very different from western custom. Please read with caution if you have a sensitive nature.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent tale of survival and guilt in tough times
Review: This is a very well written tale of survival. It is filled with instances of humor and triumph. It depicts a Chinese culture and a cuisine that is not, as one of the previous reviewers stated, for the faint of heart. This story shows a person that is both proud to have survived and troubled by some of the things that he did to survive. I was fascinated by this story and I was grateful to have read it rather than to have lived it.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent tale of survival and guilt in tough times
Review: This is a very well written tale of survival. It is filled with instances of humor and triumph. It depicts a Chinese culture and a cuisine that is not, as one of the previous reviewers stated, for the faint of heart. This story shows a person that is both proud to have survived and troubled by some of the things that he did to survive. I was fascinated by this story and I was grateful to have read it rather than to have lived it.
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