English: A Novel Audiobook

" A young boy's love affair with the English language against the backdrop of China's repression under Mao Tse Tung. "

" I came across this book very shortly after having read 'The Vagrants', a book that I simply loved. Both are set in Communist China, in small towns in the country site. Both have their share of misfits, of small events leading to big consequences later on, of failed dreams and lives cut short. Both do a great job of bringing to life an era and culture that is as interesting as it is frightening, as familiar as it is strange. It is a good book, but in the immediate comparison, this novel did not leave as big an imprint on me as 'The Vagrants'. "

" It has a delightful premise: a young boy in a remote city in Northwestern China - Urumqi - falling in love with the English language during the cultural revolution. It's the boy's English teacher who inspires him. As an English teacher, how could I resist this book? However, the plot is not too consistent, jumping around a bit, and the characterization needs a bit more development. The book did inspire in me a great curiosity in Urumqi and Xinjiang province but I just wish it had opened my eyes a bit more to life there... "

" I was expecting to like this novel better. While there were some insights into Chinese culture, the plot just didn't do anything for me. I'm not sure if I really understand the main character's fascination with his English teacher, or why the teacher favors him so much. The story was also confusing in places. I hope this authors other works are better. "

" I liked the beginning, but was flipping the pages towards the end. "

" This has to be one of my favourite books. I just couldn't put it down, it was a joy to read. "

" The book was ok. I didn't like the main character much, as I thought he acted stupidly in parts of the book. But, maybe I just don't get teenage boys' thought processes. "

" This was a great book! As Americans we have very little knowledge of the cultural revolution in China. Especially not how if affected the daily life of just plain citizens, this book shares some real experiences without focusing on the severe horror of the extreme violence. "

" More interesting now, after the events in Xinjiang. "

" Think there was something lost in translation here... "

" A compelling and disturbing picture of the lives of the intelligentsia in rural China. This narrative is a case study of the damage visited on the human spirit by bad situations; Zimbardo's work comes to mind. "

" I learned more about the cultural revolution in China from the viewpoint of a boy growing up in a remote town in Western China. His love of learning English from a devoted teacher is remarkable when I consider how I take speaking English for granted. Beautifully written. "

" It starts with promise and the story is set in an interesting context. It descends from there and becomes repetitive and seemingly pointless. "

" Think there was something lost in translation here... "

" I learned more about the cultural revolution in China from the viewpoint of a boy growing up in a remote town in Western China. His love of learning English from a devoted teacher is remarkable when I consider how I take speaking English for granted. Beautifully written. "

" Started out great, but tended to drag a bit through the middle. Overall though, good read. The cover though, is one of the best I've ever seen. "

" More interesting now, after the events in Xinjiang. "

" I liked the beginning, but was flipping the pages towards the end. "

" The book was ok. I didn't like the main character much, as I thought he acted stupidly in parts of the book. But, maybe I just don't get teenage boys' thought processes. "