Daughter of China by Meihong Xu and Larry Engelmann

Title: Daughter of China: A True Story of Love and Betrayal

Author: Meihong Xu and Larry Engelmann

First Published: 1999

No. of Pages: 349

Synopsis (from B&N): "Here is the stunning true tale of a remarkable woman trained as an elite soldier in the Chinese army, her forbidden love for an American, and her seemingly impossible escape - with his help - from the nation to which she had pledged her life. An astonishing testament to the enduring resilience of love and the human spirit in the face of even the most oppressive, hopeless conditions, Daughter of China offers a compelling look at life inside the rigid walls of Communist China, revealing in fascinating detail Meihong Xu's inculcation into the system - a process so effective that she would willingly betray a friend or family member to prove her loyalty. Written with clear-eyed candor and stark eloquence, Daughter of China is at once a timeless, deeply moving story of a prohibited love affair and a dramatic depiction of life under Chinese Communism."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Nonfiction

Comments and Critique: I had a very difficult time getting into this book. It provides an interesting look at life in Communist China but somehow the writing style just didn't grab me. It's not bad, it just doesn't quite flow. I know that's not terribly descriptive and I apologize, I just can't quite put my finger on what isn't right. The book is a joint effort and I wonder if that is part of the problem. Also, Ms. Xu was not brought up to be a writer and, despite being trained in English as part of her military training, has only been in the U.S. for 10+ years, so maybe what I feel is lacking in the book is only a cultural difference combined with a first-time writer's normal issues.

However, like I stated above, the book is interesting despite the problems. I've read books about life in Communist Russia before, but have never read one about growing up in modern China. The inclusion of the author's family history along with her own was a useful inclusion, as it provided additional insight into her life. I came to care about the author and hoped for a happy ending to her story.

Challenges: 999 ("Biography"); A to Z (author "X"); Orbis Terrarum 2 (China); Support Your Local Library