Comments (20)

Community comments are the opinions of contributing users. These comments do not represent the opinions of Strathcona County Library.
What did you think about this title?
1 to 20 of 20 items
May 05, 2023
"A charming book with vivid imagery. It has a sort of fable quality to it that I love." - Raven P.
Feb 04, 2022beste rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Love this magical, little book. I did not want it to end. Highly recommend it.
Jan 02, 2022aamcgrath rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Great story, entertaining and meaningful reading. Do not miss it.
Oct 10, 2019taralei rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This sparkling little book is the memoir of an older man who is put through the horrors of Mao's China, of the re-education of intellectuals and children of intellectuals. In the darkest places, where poverty, back breaking work and…
Sep 27, 2019posie12 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I've read a few books about the Cultural Revolution, most are cruel and punishing . This one is charming, and humorous.
Sep 17, 2019Eil_1 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
An absorbing novel based on China's reeducation. Unknowingly, they discover books (totally illegal). They read them and share with a beautiful Chinese girl. Balzac is the main author, who is followed by one of the young men and shared…
Oct 24, 2017
Our library's Art Lovers Book Club gave this an overall rating of 7 out of 10. It had an ending that you either loved or hated!
Aug 04, 2016miinas rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
SPL Summer Book Bingo: translated from another language
Sep 03, 2015vcc rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
An interesting look into China's Cultural Revolution through the eyes of a man who lived it. Very nice writing, indented with subtle symbolism. Reviewed: 6 Aug 2005
Dec 23, 2014WVMLStaffPicks rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Two boys, both sons of doctors, are exiled to a remote Chinese village for re-education during the Cultural Revolution. Their salvation is a violin, a Balzac novel, and the beautiful daughter of a peasant tailor. Full of surprising twists,…
May 06, 2014
great book for a look at China during the cultural revolution and life in the countryside, especially young people's lives.
Apr 25, 2014i_am rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
'Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress' is a story of two young men sent from city to the Chinese countryside for 're-education' by Red Guards during Mao's infamous Cultural Revolution as their intellectual activities and foreign…
Jun 07, 2013
This book was delightful
Nov 20, 2012Iluv2read rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Interesting tale of two teenage boys during the cultural revolution in China when they are sent out of the city into the mountains to learn how the peasants live.
Apr 17, 2012Amalia777 rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Six words: I will never read that again.
brianreynolds
Jun 11, 2011brianreynolds rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
This certainly is a "likable" little tale. It seems to stutter quite a bit, trying to decide what exactly it's trying to say. It might be a complaint against authoritarian regimes, but it can't decide whether the characters are free to do…
Apr 03, 2011McQueen_D rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
A strong, quick read that won't break your heart with it's sadness, but still offers amazing insight of what it was like to undergo the re-education of the Cultural Revolution in China. It reminded me of why I love to read.
Mar 21, 2011AJ_in_CoMo rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I actually Googled this after finishing it to see what I was supposed to have 'gotten' from this book. It was "nice", but I always felt I was floating on the surface of the story rather than delving into it. If the details of re-education,…
Oct 31, 2010
One of the few books I have read in one sitting - it was that good.
May 14, 2010blolo rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This was a good book - it was well written, and it had an unexpected sense of humour in some parts. It was a neat look into the cultural revolution. It was a book that spoke about the importance of books/literature - and I always like…