Red Dust: A Path Through China
by Ma Jian
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Book Summary Information
Author: Ma JianEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2002-11-12
ISBN: 0385720238
Number of pages: 336
Publisher: Anchor
Book Reviews of Red Dust: A Path Through China
Book Review: 80's China for the Dissident
Summary: 4 Stars
I read this book because it is listed at the back of Peter Hessler's wonderful book, Oracle Bones, as recommended reading. Ma Jian seems like an ornery character who would probably have trouble living anywhere for long. Unfortunately, in China that type of personality was (and probably still is) dangerous. The pressures of his life in Beijing proved too much for Ma so he packed-up a very few possessions and took off for the China borders. He spent three years looking for something he never found. His adventures were often uncomfortable, dangerous, and unsatisfactory. He said that his most difficult problem was finding a place to stay for the night. Every so often he would get a packet of letters from his friends from Beijing. I liked hearing what they were doing. The list of people at the front of the book was very helpful for knowing who was who.
I found the book a little jarring and disjointed. Perhaps that's because it was translated from Chinese. But maybe it's more likely that I felt that Ma Jian was missing some sensitivity for people that I would expect most artists and poets to have. I didn't find his self-centeredness appealing.
The book ends with his decision to return to his little house in Beijing. I would like to know what happened when he returned and how he made it to Hong Kong. What was his life like in Hong Kong and how and why he later went to London? I understand that he thought his life would be in danger when Hong Kong was turned over to China in 1997. But why England?
As far as I know he doesn't have a later biography--which is too bad. He has written some fiction. I'm curious so I have ordered one of his novels. The reviews for those books are better than the reviews for this one.
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