Revolutionaries disillusioned by the harsh realities of change.
This book could be a good read for someone who is fascinated by the complexities of political revolutions and the human cost they often entail. Eileen Chang's writing has an exquisite beauty that captivates the reader, even when depicting the darkest aspects of human existence. Through the story of Liu Ch'üan and Su Nan, Chang explores themes of idealism, corruption, love, and loneliness, giving a vivid portrayal of China during Mao's era. Be prepared to be transported to a time of intense upheaval and witness the characters' struggle with their shattered beliefs and the pursuit of truth.
ISBN: 9781590178348
Publisher: NYRB Classics
Date of Publication: 2015-06-16
Format: Paperback
Related Collections:
Historical Fiction
Goodreads rating: 3.92
(rated by 327 readers)
Description
After leaving the Mainland for Hong Kong in 1952, Eileen Chang was commissioned by the United States Information Service to write two books, one of which was her magnificent novel Naked Earth. Far from being a simplistic exercise in anti-Communist propaganda (two previous novels Chang wrote were pro-Communist), Naked Earth is a powerfully moving, Balzacian tale that follows two young student cadres, Liu Ch’uen and Su Nan, who fall in love during a time when, as Chang writes, “the whole country lay stretched out like an open palm, ready to close around any one person at any minute.” Mao’s land reform movement is in full force when Liu and Su Nan arrive at a farm to help the peasants take over the fields. The work is hard, the nights long, and spies abound. Liu is eventually imprisoned by his enemies and sent to fight on the Korean front. But both Liu and Su Nan harbor festering secrets that are pulling them apart. A romance, a thrilling drama, a tragedy, Naked Earth is a stunning work of twentieth-century fiction by one of China’s most revered modern novelists.
Condition guide
Book Condition Guide
Books in Like New Condition
This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Very Good Condition
This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Good Condition
We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Well Read Condition
This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
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Revolutionaries disillusioned by the harsh realities of change.
This book could be a good read for someone who is fascinated by the complexities of political revolutions and the human cost they often entail. Eileen Chang's writing has an exquisite beauty that captivates the reader, even when depicting the darkest aspects of human existence. Through the story of Liu Ch'üan and Su Nan, Chang explores themes of idealism, corruption, love, and loneliness, giving a vivid portrayal of China during Mao's era. Be prepared to be transported to a time of intense upheaval and witness the characters' struggle with their shattered beliefs and the pursuit of truth.
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