This book was recommended to me by commenter Ali B. and was reviewed on her blog Literary Lunchbox recently.
The daughter of two highly respected doctors, Ling is doted on and petted. She excels in school and learns English at home, tutored by her beloved father. The book is set in Maoist China and Ling’s life swiftly changes as the revolution comes to her home. At first she is irritated at the party official who moves into a room downstairs, but she is naive, not understanding the power he wields. As the workers gain strength and the intelligentsia are sent to labor camps, Ling begins to know suffering and loss. People close to her are denounced, sent away or re-educated. She must learn to face the bullies at school who harass her for her elite position. When her mother begins to buckle under the stress of trying to feed the family and keep them out of prison, Ling has to grow up even more.
Revolution is Not a Dinner Party does not do much sugar-coating, but it does provide a look at communist China that is appropriate for teens and tweens. The story is harsh without being relentless and some hope is preserved at the end. Two author’s notes at the end serve to clarify, although the deposition of certain officials at the end of the book is quite confusing.
Great for: A fictional look at the rise of communism in China. This would be great for middle school or high school classes that want a teen friendly text on the subject. If I were teaching to multiple reading levels in high school, I might have advanced readers take on the non-fiction Wild Swans : Three Daughters of China
Sex, Nudity, Dating – None.
Profanity –None.
Death, Violence and Gore – People at the hospital have injuries. A man nearly drowns. Revolutionaries threaten people and are very rough as they take them into custody. A doctor is injured and bleeding. Foot binding is referenced. We learn the father of a neighbor died of cancer. A character commits suicide. A man is beaten savagely for questioning the communists. People need to physically fight for food. Ling is beaten by classmates; they threaten to kill her. The revolutionaries beat people (including each other) with their metal belt buckles. A man coughs up blood and requires surgery. Hospital scenes feature lots of wounded and blood, including a man with a knife stuck in his leg.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – Old men smoke cigarettes. Comrade Li smokes cigarettes. The comrades go drinking.
Frightening or Intense Things – Arrests are made; people are taken from their homes with pillowcases over their heads. People disappear or are sent to labor camps. Food and fabric are rationed. People’s belongings are seized and destroyed. Public shamings are a part of life in China.
I’m often attracted by books about the various Chinese revolutions, so I’ll put this on my list. I find that books written for children are the most accessible, because so much of what was going on was unpredictable and chaotic, and kids books allow things to be inexplicable to their characters, while the adults try to impose sense on things, which often gets more confusing.
Good point, Beth. As a former HS teacher, I can imagine using this in middle/high school as Mrs. N. so rightfully suggests.