The depictions of controlling powers with vastly different agendas and ideological beliefs made me think how relevant Homeseeking is today. Regime follows ugly regime, dictators stay in power until the next ones step in with their armies. How can "good" patriotism thrive under such conditions; I'm talking about the "I'm trying to help my country be better--more just, more generous--because I still believe in goodness and truth" patriotism.
Homeseeking is also very relevant to my family history.
The part of the novel that killed me, really killed me, is when Howard visits Shanghai in 1993, not really knowing what to expect. He's looking forward to seeing his sister Jun Jun and his brother Haiming. The People's Republic of China is still in power, but Howard hasn't yet perceived the emotional toll that Mao's regime has taken on his family. Jun Jun has a good position in the Communist Party. She's dressed in jeans and t-shirt and pays for meals at the best restaurants. Haiming, on the other hand, can barely make ends meet. He hates his sister. The most horrifying moment is when he reveals that Jun Jun signed the document denouncing their formerly wealthy father, ostensibly in order to save herself and her family. I remember visiting Lithuania when it was still under Soviet control. Aunts talked about brothers who betrayed their own families; poor relatives despised the ones able to afford aspirin and jeans. My great aunt, back from Siberia, told stories about the horrors there. She did this with a towel over the phone, afraid that someone might be listening in.
(I'm almost on that page.)
The depictions of controlling powers with vastly different agendas and ideological beliefs made me think how relevant Homeseeking is today. Regime follows ugly regime, dictators stay in power until the next ones step in with their armies. How can "good" patriotism thrive under such conditions; I'm talking about the "I'm trying to help my country be better--more just, more generous--because I still believe in goodness and truth" patriotism.
Homeseeking is also very relevant to my family history.
The part of the novel that killed me, really killed me, is when Howard visits Shanghai in 1993, not really knowing what to expect. He's looking forward to seeing his sister Jun Jun and his brother Haiming. The People's Republic of China is still in power, but Howard hasn't yet perceived the emotional toll that Mao's regime has taken on his family. Jun Jun has a good position in the Communist Party. She's dressed in jeans and t-shirt and pays for meals at the best restaurants. Haiming, on the other hand, can barely make ends meet. He hates his sister. The most horrifying moment is when he reveals that Jun Jun signed the document denouncing their formerly wealthy father, ostensibly in order to save herself and her family. I remember visiting Lithuania when it was still under Soviet control. Aunts talked about brothers who betrayed their own families; poor relatives despised the ones able to afford aspirin and jeans. My great aunt, back from Siberia, told stories about the horrors there. She did this with a towel over the phone, afraid that someone might be listening in.
I will catch up with this read! Where would I find what is next up so I (maybe) don't get behind? Thank you!
Normally I like to reflect on these questions but I haven’t started the book yet. Ack! I just got it and plan on starting it today.