Friday, March 11, 2011

20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youth by Xiaolu Guo

I have read her "Village of Stone" and liked it. This is the 2nd book by Xiaolu Guo which I bought.

Saw this book at BookXcess earlier last year. The price was below RM20 but I was reluctant to get it as it was a thin book (204pages only). Kedekut punya pasal. There are always much bigger fish to fry when comes to BX.

That's why I was happy to see this in the Big Bad Wolf Sale. Got it for RM8 only.

This is indeed an interesting book. Story is set in the current commercialised China. The main character, FenFang was just 17 years old when she decided to run away from home and venture into Beijing. She felt trapped in the runt of her village life. Day in day out doing and seeing the same thing.

There are 20 "fragments" in this book. Each"fragment" tell a story of FenFang's experience of her life in the city. From the part where she work in factory to being a Film Extra, from having a boyfriend to breaking up, of the interaction between her and the people around her and etc.

At times, I can't help thinking that Xiaolu might be writing about herself.Well, I haven't googled about her yet so I don't know whether my suspicion hit the mark or not.

Anyway, it's a really enlightening sort of book. Captured the mood of FenFang aptly. Fresh coz everything is put in a matter of fact way. Unlike many of books regarding China which consist of a lot of heart wrenching tales. A very modern view sort of book.

2 comments:

elliecleffairy said...

I dun dare read too much of those story set in China and stuff... semua emo gila babi wan!

Small Kucing said...

Cleffairy

this one modern punya la

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