INSIDE THE STORY: Introduction to Courage: Definition of courage as encompassing everyday actions and emphasis on the diversity of courage and its presence in small, ordinary moments. Everyday Acts of Bravery: Examples such as reconciling after an argument and sleeping without a nightlight and shows illustrations of courage in mundane situations that may often go […]
Book Summary: The Monster at the End of This Book written by Jon Stone
INSIDE THE STORY: Grover’s Fear: Grover, a cute, furry monster, is terrified of monsters, especially the one at the end of the book. He directly addresses the reader, begging them not to turn the pages because he fears what might happen. Desperate Measures: Despite Grover’s pleas, the reader turns the pages, and Grover panics. He […]
Story: The Three-Body Problem written by Liu Cixin
INSIDE THE STORY: Ye Wenjie’s Challenging Journey: The narrative starts with Ye Wenjie’s awful experiences during the Cultural Revolution in China. Ye’s eventual selection into the covert Red Coast army station as a result of her mother’s involvement in her father’s death and his death that followed. Wang Miao’s Impact: In the current day, an […]
Story: The Wolf Totem written by Jiang Rong
INSIDE THE STORY: Investigating Cultures: This story stresses the customs, culture, and nomadic way of life of the Mongol people and shows contrast between modernity and the old methods of nomadic living, particularly in the context of China’s Cultural Revolution. Symbolism of the Mongolian Wolf: The meaning behind the Mongolian Wolf In Mongol culture, the […]
Story: The Song of Everlasting Sorrow written by Wang Anyi
INSIDE THE STORY Shanghai after World War II: The story takes place against this backdrop, showcasing the cultural and societal transformations that the city underwent. Working-Class Life and the Lontong: Wang Qiyao, the main character, was reared in Shanghai’s working-class neighborhoods, which are made up of narrow, twisting roads. Her experiences and outlook on life […]
Story: The Three Sisters written by Bi Feiyu
INSIDE THE STORY: Sisterhood: The relationship and interactions among the three sisters, each of whom has an individual character, set of goals, and set of challenges, are at the heart of the story. The key themes of the story are their relationships, disagreements, and support of one another. Social Change and Cultural Revolution: The book […]
Story: Running Wild written by Jia Pingwa
INSIDE THE STORY: The life of Gao Jialin: The main character is a man who has to deal with a lot of difficulties in his path. He balances his professional life, relationships, and personal goals. Rural setting: The story is set in a rural setting, showing the hardships and day-to-day existence of those who reside […]
Story: Red Dust A Path Through China by Ma Jian
INSIDE THE STORY Ma Jian’s Personal Journey: The story centers on Ma Jian’s travels across China’s towns and environments in search of freedom and self-discovery. Encounters and Interactions: Ma Jian has many encounters throughout the book with a variety of people, each of whom offers a distinct perspective on Chinese culture. These people include farmers, […]
Story: The Distant Land of My Father written by Bo Caldwell
INSIDE THE STORY: Location: Shanghai during the political unrest of the 1930s and early 1940s, which included the Japanese invasion. The protagonist’s family: Anna Schoene is a young girl navigating Shanghai’s diverse cultural landscape. Father of Anna Schoene, Joseph is a wealthy businessman with an ambiguous past. Family Dynamics: How the political unrest impacted the […]
Story: Waiting written by Ha Jin
INSIDE THE STORY: Setting: The story takes place in China in the 1960s and spans many years perfectly reflecting the social mores and cultural mores of that era. Protagonist: The main character is army doctor Lin Kong, who struggles with the tension between her personal desires and her duty. Though his family tricked him into […]