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For a Song and a Hundred Songs
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See moreIn China, the government continues to erase and distort the collective memory of the country to suit its all-encompassing political agenda. However, an individual's memory, with its psychic encoding and indelible scars of oppression, will forever hide a deeply etched record in blood and intellect.
* Widely reviewed in all major and metropolitan newspapers across Australia and New Zealand * Widely reviewed in literary publications such as the Monthly, Kill Your Darlings and NZ Listener * Widely reviewed in specialist Chinese media * Print advertising in magazines such as ABR and the Monthly * Promos and giveaways with literary magazines and websites, such as the Lifted Brow and Kill Your Darlings * Featured in indie bookseller newsletters and catalogues * Social media campaign with giveaways * Feature title in Text newsletters and banner ads on Text's website
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
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Description
In China, the government continues to erase and distort the collective memory of the country to suit its all-encompassing political agenda. However, an individual's memory, with its psychic encoding and indelible scars of oppression, will forever hide a deeply etched record in blood and intellect. Its imprint, like history, can never be erased.
In June 1989, Liao Yiwu witnessed the Tiananmen Square protest. The young poet, who had until then led an apolitical bohemian existence, found his voice in that moment and proclaimed his outrage in the poem 'Massacre'. For a Song and a Hundred Songs captures the four brutal years Liao spent in jail for writing his incendiary poem.
He reveals the bleak reality of crowded Chinese prisons - the harassment from guards and fellow prisoners, the torture, the conflicts among human beings in close confinement, and the boredom of everyday life. But even in his darkest hours, Liao manages to find the fundamental humanity in his cellmates.
Liao Yiwu presents a stark and devastating portrait of a nation in flux, exposing a side of China that outsiders rarely get to see. For a Song and a Hundred Songs will forever change the way you view the rising superpower.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
For a Song and a Hundred Songs by Liao Yiwu is praised for its vivid and poignant depiction of life in a Chinese prison. The memoir captures the individual personalities of inmates, exploring themes of humanity amid harsh conditions. Liao's writing combines sarcasm, reflection, and immediacy, offering an honest portrayal of both the brutality and the rare tender moments within the gulag. His self-deprecating honesty and poetic imagery enrich the narrative, making it a significant reflection on the costs of China's progress.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781922079213
Publisher: Text Publishing
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 22 May 2013
Country: Australia
Imprint: The Text Publishing Company
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 33.0mm
Width: 156.0mm
Height: 235.0mm
Weight: 565g
Pages: 432
About the Author
Authors Bio, not available
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