CHINESE PROFILES

by Xinxin & Sang Ye Zhang ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 1986

Interesting collection of Studs Terkel-style monologues, representing various street types in Mainland China today. The authors deny the Terkel influence, saying that their subject is Chinese, not American. While this is indisputable, still there is something that seems imitative of American ways in the recording of the often frankly obscene statements of these people, such as a young steel worker who complains about a certain ""fuck"" who stole his meal tickets. Incidentally, these articles were translated by different hands of varying abilities. Some write out the work ""fuck,"" others print ""f-"". One Englishes a statement of a young worker who says he is ""buggered"" at the end of a work day. Surely this is not the Socialist ideal, even in these more liberal days of the People's Republic. More typical is a kind of Chinese version of Archie Bunker, aged only 20, who states ""of course I believe in communism. The mess I'm in is one thing, but there's nothing wrong with communism."" So, despite the few verbal laxities, these interviewees, some met apparently at random, toe the party line. Originally these portraits appeared in newspaper form. It seems natural to wonder how accurately the author transcribed the people's speech and whether in fact they really exist, or if they are composites. In a preface, Zhang makes some coy statements about there being ""no point in writing fiction""; perhaps not, if one can invent imaginary interviews. However, the genuineness of these pieces hardly matters. They are vivid character portraits and are enormously popular in China today. China talks in this book, and we should listen.

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: China Books

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1986

Categories: NONFICTION