Old Town Audiobook

" I bought this book to read while traveling in China, but it was a big disappointment. I almost put it aside several times, but finally plodded through. It did give a good view of the period during which it was written -- the transition from imperial government in China through the internal struggle for power that resulted in Mao taking over. "

" Took a while but thoroughly enjoyed the story. You really feel like you are in China experiencing the culture and way of life. The modern stryline was a bit hard to follow but I really enjoyed the parts set in China. "

" interesting look at how life has changed in China. "

" I thought there was too many gratuitous references to being Christian. It was a turn off for me. "

" There is something about family dynamics during revolution and chaos. I have great respect for the family structure of the chinese and especially their mothers. They are called "Tiger Mom" for good reason. Under those bowed heads there is iron and steel! Don't count them out! "

" I would have given this a 4, but it really started to drag on too long. Otherwise, it was a really beautiful story. "

" The story line was good. The writing was too drawn out. It took a long time to finish it. "

" At almost 700 pages it was a LONG read with too few historical details. How could the author glaze over the 'barefoot doctor' without an explanation but wax lyrical about the rice porridge ?. "

" A nice view into the grand cultural changes of China in the 20th century. It's interesting to see how the larger political storms affect local families. But, probably because it's translated, I often found the writing disengaged or sterile, with confusing leaps in time and a plodding pace. "

" I think it lost something in the translation. Tedious in parts, the modern day story didn't work for me. But still very readable. Always interesting to learn more about 20th/21st century China from an individual perspective. "

" Very tedious reading. I had a hard time reading, as I kept falling asleep. To much description, so I would skip to dialogue. "

" Just couldn't get into it - tried for 5 chapters and gave up "

" I thought I was going to like this because I enjoy reading the multi-generational stories that take place in China, but I just could not finish this one....BORING! "

" It was an ok read, interesting history of China. "

" A multigenerational saga about a family in China. It begins in 1930 and it covers 50 years in the life of a poor Chinese family. I loved the story. "

" I just couldn't get through this book... and I ALWAYS finish a book that I start! "