Red Sorghum: A Novel of China

The acclaimed novel of love and resistance during late 1930s China by Mo Yan, winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature

Spanning three generations, this novel of family and myth is told through a series of flashbacks that depict events of staggering horror set against a landscape of gemlike beauty, as the Chinese battle both Japanese invaders and each other in the turbulent 1930s.

A legend in China, where it won major literary awards and inspired an Oscar-nominated film directed by Zhang Yimou, Red Sorghum is a book in which fable and history collide to produce fiction that is entirely new—and unforgettable.

Customer Reviews:

Unforgettable Historical Fiction!

By Shogun Len "tokieyasu" - August 17, 2000

The Japanese Invasion of China in 1937 is a dark period in history. The Japanese committed many horrible crimes and atrocities on the Chinese population. Red Sorghum in very graphic graphic detail describes some of these atrocities and their impact on the Chinese civilian population.But the book is much more than that. WWII does play a major role in the book, but the book is also a look into Chinese culture, family, and is such a moving window on China during this time period.This is not an easy read. The translation is very good, but the book is very detailed and again at times very graphic. I do not like to bash books like the Good Earth or The Single Pebble as many people do. I agree that neither book was written by a Chinese person and I understand some of the criticism that orginates from that fact. I enjoyed both books and think they are valuable. HOwever, if you are from the school that demands a Chinese author and a Chinese voice to Chinese literature... read more

brutal, real

By Wyote - June 14, 2002

I have never read such a brutal, graphic novel. It is truly rare for an author to capture the horror of evil so clearly or powerfully. Reading this book is like being beaten up.At the same time, it is about life. Within the tragedy is a story about people facing and overcoming evil. Because it does not look away from the horror, the hope it implies is authentic. Thus this book distinguishes itself.I recommend this book for a mature reader because of its powerful content. It will not leave you unchanged. You will shiver, and think.It is an allegory for the communist takeover of China, and the film that this book inspired won the "Golden Bear" award. An old, leprous landlord represents the corruption of the Guomingdan period. But his murder enables a young woman to take over, and clean up the winery, representing China. The book shows peasants glorified, a new role for women, the breaking down of class barriers, and a brave struggle against Japanese invaders. All of this must... read more

Horrific atrocities, magic realism and love -- an incredible work of art!

By Linda Linguvic - December 21, 2008

Written in 1987, Red Sorghum received critical acclaim in China and was made into a movie in 1988. It was not until 1993, however, that this novel was translated into English. I sure am glad it was because it is an incredibly powerful book that presents a genuine Chinese viewpoint.

Most of the story takes place in the 1930s, when the Japanese invaded China and it is full of scenes of horrific atrocities. But along with the brutality and violence, the book is clearly a work of art as the author blurs the boundaries between past and present and creates a disturbing kaleidoscopic vision of the world he describes. The story is complex and tinged with magic realism and it takes concentration to keep the characters straight. Sometimes it felt like the story were a myth, but then there are the gruesome details of reality which made me cringe but kept my eyes glued to the page.

There are details here about Chinese life which I have never heard of before. To give... read more

AVAILABILITY
Merchant	Format	Price
Amazon US	Paperback	$1.87 - $17.00
eBooks.com	Digital (PDF)	$13.99
BookByte	Paperback	$12.00
eCampus	Paperback	~~$12.69~~ discount!