• Red Sorrow

  • A Memoir
  • By: Nanchu
  • Narrated by: Corrie James
  • Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (15 ratings)

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Red Sorrow  By  cover art

Red Sorrow

By: Nanchu
Narrated by: Corrie James
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Editorial reviews

As important and grand as the People's Republic of China is, much about its recent history is unknown or misconceived. One of the largest paradigm shifts of the nation was the Cultural Revolution that began in the mid 1960's. At the age of 13 Nanchu was one of the children to have her home destroyed by Red Guards only to be indoctrinated and join their ranks later.

Carrie James voices Red Sorrow: A Memoir with an agonizingly poignant performance, which makes this all the more worth listening to. Also if you have any desire to understand China in a more complete way, then listen to this very personal account of penance.

Publisher's summary

At the outbreak of the Cultural Revolution, 13-year-old Nanchu watched Red Guards burst into her home and arrest her parents, whom they tortured and jailed. She was left to fend for herself and her younger brother on the streets of Shanghai, enduring poverty and near-starvation. As she grew older she herself became a Red Guard and was sent down to the largest work camp in China. There she faced primitive conditions, predatory officials, a viper's nest of party jealousies, and near-fatal injury before she finally won admittance to Madame Mao's university in Shanghai. Her testimony is essential for anyone interested in China or human rights.

©2012 Nanchu (P)2013 Audible, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

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An in-depth view of the Cultural Revolution

I’ve read several books about China during the Cultural Revolution but this one written by Nanchu is the most personal and gripping account I’ve read.

I am the same age as the author and I couldn’t help but relate to her. As she went through the harsh realities of the Cultural Revolution I’d reflect on how fortunate I was to not be at the mercy of an experiment gone wholly wrong. While Andy Warhol was printing pop images of Mao Tse Tong millions were suffering under his brutal regime.

I visited China in the 90’s on an Earth Watch trip, studying the Buddhist monks and the Pali language. The Chinese people were the most gracious and friendly people I’d ever met. They were all very eager to speak with me, to practice their English and to ask about America while I asked about China.

If you had any interest in other cultures, recent history, or China I highly recommend this book. It’s very informative well written and the narration was flawless.

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