Search - Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

Quick read. Charming coming-of-age type story of a teenaged boy during the Maoist re-education of China. Literature lovers will especially appreciate this one.

I loved this book! It's a beautiful little gem of a book! It's like a fairy-tale, set in the mountains of China during an unlikely period for a fairy-tale; the "re-education" reign of Chairman Mao. I highly recommend it, and I'm not relisting it, because I want my husband to read it, my son to read it.... It's one of those books that you read and want everyone you love to read it, too.
Claudielou

I loved the style of writing of this book. It reminded me of Pearl S. Buck. A wonderful story of two young men sent to the countryside during the re-education of upper class during the Communist Revolution of Mao. But the story is really the story of fine literature and the effect that it has on everyone regardless of their party affiliation. It also tells the story of youth coming of age in very trying times. A very quick read.

Based on the number of positive reviews and comments for this book, I was expecting more, but was underwhelmed. Yes, a nice little story, told well. But not nearly as interesting or entertaining as anticipated. A fast, enjoyable read, but certainly overly hyped, and not nearly as good as I had expected.

An interesting view into the lives of people at that time in history

This is a really good book. It gives a vivid portrayal of Maoist China, and the effects of the Cultural Revolution. The ending is a little strange and mysterious, but that is the only semi-negative thing that I can say about this book. It's a really short, easy read, so I recommend it to everyone!