Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Xinran was born and raised in China and worked there as a reporter for a radio station.  The book begins, “A Book Written for Adoptive Daughters.”  Xinran begins,

“It took a long time for me to summon the courage to relive the personal memories and experiences of my life as a reporter in China.” Page 1

China has a strict one child per family rule, due to over-population.  If you are caught with having more that 1 child, there are deep penalties, including losing your job.  Xinran  goes on to recount numerous stories of mothers forced to give up their daughters  because their parents in-law insist that they have a boy. 

For a very long time, China would not allow adoptions of children from outside the country.  Many of the stories Xinran heard and some that she even witnessed, firsthand were gruesome.  Parts of this book was shocking to read.

“Suddenly, I thought I heard a slight movement in the slops pail behind me, and automatically glanced toward it. I felt ice in my blood. To my absolute horror, I saw a tiny foot poking out of the pail. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Then the tiny foot twitched! It wasn’t possible. The midwife must have dropped that tiny baby alive into the slop pail!” Page 92

There were other stories of female babies being abandoned and left to die.  There were some orphanages but they were all very poor.

“The children were just left to cry all day. She mostly fed them on rice gruel, and kept them clean by sluicing the urine and excrement off the mat with cold water. By night she slept squeezed onto the mat with the babies, at the mercy of the mosquitoes just as they were.”  Page 244

Things improved, some when adoption was opened up to families from other countries.  Though mothers don’t know where their daughters live, they did give messages to Xinran to pass on to adopted daughters, her main motivation for writing this book.

I found these true stories to be raw, heart rendering, and shocking.  Xinran writes beautifully but opens the child issue in China up for the entire world to see.  If you don’t know what is happening in China, even to this day, read this book.  If you know what is happening read this book and learn more.

4/5

Did you review this book?  Please leave the link in the comments and I will post it here.

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Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Mailbox Monday

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on March 29, 2011
Posted in Mail Box Mondays  | 6 Comments

MailBox Monday now has it’s very own blog, Mailbox Monday.  It is also on tour and is being hosted by I’m Booking It in March.

I received these books in my mailbox:

 I won this from Linda Weaver Clarke. Thanks Linda and author, Kitty Gogins!

 Sourcebooks, Inc.had another one of their fabulous deals!  I got this ebook for $.99.

I got this ebook over at Netgalley.com on Other Press. Marg over at The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader gave this book such a glowing review, I couldn’t resist.

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Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

The Widest Heart by Malka Drucker

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on March 28, 2011
Posted in Short Story Read in 2011  | 6 Comments

John of The Book Mine Set reviewed The Wildest Heart back in August and got me really interested in reading it.  It’s been on my TBR since then.
Malka Drucker is a Rabbi, besides an author.  In fact, she was mentioned in an article on the CBC Website as a pro-gay rights Rabbi.  Good for her for supporting an important human rights issue! (Now you know my opinion on gay rights).

The Wildest Things opens with an unknown narrator, reflecting on an unlikely friendship she had in high school.  The first day in Spanish class was where she first saw Marcia, in fact they were in every class together that semester.  

Marcia was a over weight girl that the narrator would never dream of hanging out with.  However, as she got to know her, she realized that they had a lot in common and Marcia had a great sense of humor.  They became best friends.

” We were an unlikely pair, I, cynical and proud of my perpetual gloom,Marcia, seemingly sunny and easy-going. But we immediately discovered how alike we were. We both loved reading, we hated cheerleaders, and thought a native speaker should teach Spanish. “I don’t want to speak Spanish with Applegate’s Iowa accent,” Marcia wailed.”

Eventually, like most high school friendships, ended.  As the narrator reflects back on the friendship and eventual end, the reader can sense the guilt that she carries about it.  The writing was beautiful and lyrical!  I didn’t want this story to end.  Highly recommended! You can read it here.

If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story review. Come join in the fun and add to my short story TBR!

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Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.