Rory’s Book Club: Balzac & the Little Chinese Seamstress

“Balzac & the Little Chinese Seamstress” by Dai Sijie was an important book because it was the first time that I had been made aware of the reeducation of hundreds of thousands of youths in China in the 1960′s-70′s.  Thousands of Chinese intellects were taken from their homes, families & their lives & sent to peasant villages to be re-educated.  This book was about two such friends, & the lengths they will go to in order to find western literature to read.  I will never complain about my hunt for Rory’s books again.  It made me grateful to live in a country where I am allowed to read, & have a choice of so many books. Other than that, well it was up against a lot of other good books for toaster-pastries.  I’ve already forgotten how it ended.  However, the history behind the book is something that I plan on learning more about & that I’m grateful to this book for introducing me to that.