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Old Town Audiobook
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(2.97) - 119 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Lin Zhe, one of China’s most prolific writers, paints an unforgettable picture of an ordinary family caught up in the maelstrom that was China’s most recent century. Her narrative ranges across the entire length of China, to California and back again, to the battlefields of the Anti-Japanese War of Resistance and the brutal “struggle” sessions of the Cultural Revolution. But it always returns to this family’s home in Old Town, that archetypical, old-fashioned, and vanishing place steeped in the traditions of South China. Ms. Lin examines the inner strength that sustains people’s lives in their darkest hours, when religious and political faith falter. And yet, a vein of irony and droll humor runs through this powerful story. Lin Zhe’s novel may be understood as a love story, memoir, history, or allegory. For the non-Chinese reader it provides a rare and moving insight into Chinese lives in a century of fearsome upheaval. This book was originally published under the title Riddles of Belief…And Love—A Story.
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"This was a very good book but it took me forever to read. Maybe it's because it takes place in China and I know nothing about their history.............also, instead of names they go buy "second sister" or "ninth brother". None the less, this was a good book and I learned some stuff about China I didn't know before."
— Marcy (4 out of 5 stars)
Old Town Listener Reviews
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" 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. "
— Raquel, 2/20/2014 -
" 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. "
— Beth, 1/2/2014 -
" interesting look at how life has changed in China. "
— Donna, 12/28/2013 -
" I thought there was too many gratuitous references to being Christian. It was a turn off for me. "
— Lynne, 12/15/2013 -
" 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! "
— Lindabava, 12/2/2013 -
" I would have given this a 4, but it really started to drag on too long. Otherwise, it was a really beautiful story. "
— Jill, 12/2/2013 -
" The story line was good. The writing was too drawn out. It took a long time to finish it. "
— Czoshea001, 12/1/2013 -
" 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 ?. "
— Heather, 10/27/2013 -
" 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. "
— Matthew, 10/24/2013 -
" 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. "
— Patty, 8/19/2013 -
" Very tedious reading. I had a hard time reading, as I kept falling asleep. To much description, so I would skip to dialogue. "
— Patricia, 8/8/2013 -
" Just couldn't get into it - tried for 5 chapters and gave up "
— Kathleen, 7/30/2013 -
" 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! "
— Luanne, 6/24/2013 -
" It was an ok read, interesting history of China. "
— Lyn, 5/17/2013 -
" 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. "
— Anne, 4/18/2013 -
" I just couldn't get through this book... and I ALWAYS finish a book that I start! "
— Beth, 3/26/2013
About Lin Zhe
Lin Zhe, pen name of Zhang Yonghong, was born in 1956 of Han Chinese parents then serving in the People’s Liberation Army in Kashi (Kashgar), a small frontier city in what is now Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. After graduating from the Chinese Language and Literature Department of Fudan University in 1980, she worked as a reporter and editor for Women of China Magazine in Beijing. She has written fourteen novels that focus on women’s issues relating to marriage and personal and family life, as well as three television drama series.
About Emily Woo Zeller
Emily Woo Zeller is an artist, actor, dancer, choreographer, and voice artist who has won Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration in 2018. She began her voice-over career by voicing animation in Asia. AudioFile magazine named her one of the Best Voices of 2013 for her work in Gulp. Other awards include the 2009 Tristen Award for Best Actress as Sally Bowles in Cabaret and the 2006 Roselyn E. Schneider Prize for Creative Achievement.