Revolution is Not a Dinner Party
Drawing from her childhood experience, Revolution is Not a Dinner Party brings hope and humor to this fascinating story of a young girl growing up and fighting to survive during the Cultural Revolution in China. “The summer of 1972, before I turned nine, danger began knocking on doors all over China.”
Nine-year-old Ling has a very happy life. Her parents are both dedicated surgeons at the best hospital in Wuhan, and her father teaches her English as they listen to Voice of America every evening on the radio. But when one of Mao’s political officers moves into a room in their apartment, Ling begins to witness the gradual disintegration of her world.
In an atmosphere of increasing mistrust and hatred, Ling fears for the safety of her neighbors, and soon, for herself and her family. For the next four years, Ling will suffer more horrors than many people face in a lifetime. Will she be able to grow and blossom under the oppressive rule of Chairman Mao? Or will fighting to survive destroy her spirit–and her life?
Note: This book begins when Ling is very young and progresses as she grows older, so it begins very simply and becomes much more mature as you read. Each simple event in the first half of the book has new meaning in the last half of the book. As the connections come together, this story will linger in your heart and mind long after you have read the final page.
- About the author: Ying Chang Compestine is a Chinese American author, speaker, television host and chef. She has written over twenty books.
