The Vagrants Audiobook

" Interesting insights into what it was like to live in a culture of suspicion and longing for more. There are a lot of characters to track, but the varied points of view prove interesting in looking at the changes in the social structure and the aspirations of each. I would recommend this book to those wondering about China and her development over the years. "

" I think it is a great story of suppression of a people who desperately wanted to have their freedom. "

" Reading this and Home has made me want to read another novel. What next? Any suggestions? "

" overall enjoyed the book and fond it very touching and thought provoking. i liked the view into the same situation by different people. since it was historical fiction-y, i wish that there was some sort of prologue and/or time line to prepare you for the story. kudos to the author for showing the complexity and giving voices to this extremely oppressive time. "

" Very good--the subject matter is really fascinating, and Li's deft handling of the omniscient point of view contributes to the haunting feel of the novel. I've loved her short stories in the past, and was pleased to see she can transfer her skills to a longer work. "

" This portrayal of a town in rural China at the end of the 1970s is bleak, to say the least. It is well constructed, and there is a large cast of characters, each of whose fate is affected by the execution of a counter-revolutionary. There are certain areas that remain unclear, but the story flows well, and the reader can connect with a number of the main characters. "

" Some of what happens is predictable but I just think the story is powerfully written. Glad I had the opportunity to read it and I will likely re-read it one day in the future. "

" This book was good, but depressed me. Don't read this if you're in a bad state of mind... Unlike "The Kite Runner", I didn't get emotionally attached to any of the characters. It is well written, and if you're interested in this era of Chinese history, a worthy read. "

" Amazing book! I loved it! "

" Great writing. Very depressing storyline. Found it difficult to root for any of the characters. Usually I love these kind of books but this one was tough. "

" Pretty phenomenal. There are tons of books out there on the 1970's Cultural Revolution but few that sucked me in like this one. YL's writing is sparse and fluid. "

" Great book about counter revolutionary events during Maoist communist China. "

" Decided to read this book after hearing an interview with the author on the Diane Rehm show. It was a wonderfully written story, though brutal, it rings true. I highly recommend for those who want to try to understand a different point of view. "

" Well written book about a small village in China ....late 1970's. A sad and depressing story about sad and depressed people both by their government and their poverty. "

" This book was interesting. It's about communist China in 1979, which happens to also be the year I was born. (Personally interesting) It focuses on several outcasts of society as a provincial town holds a rally aganist the regime and has to live with the consequences of their actions. "

" Phenomenal insight into what every day life could be like in 1979 China. Awesome story! "

" Interesting about China in the 1950s and 60s. Loads of characters, each with their own stories centred around the execution of Shan a counterrevolutionary. "

" This tale of counter-revolutionary China is brutal, but emotionally and-seemingly--culturally authentic. It's a stirring, poignant reminder that freedom is no paltry gift. "

" A difficult portrait of a horrible time in Chinese history told from the perspective of a few memorable characters. "

" Set in China just after the Cultural Revolution the story is about the people and town of Muddy River, and how the live and adapt to life in a totalitarion state. Li has created some remarkable characters and tells a story that stayed with me long after I finished the book. "

" Beautifully written - sad. More 4.5 stars. "

" Great book! Hard to put down. Stories of individual characters blend wonderfully together in this novel about a Chinese town during the Communist Revolution. "

" This was my Ann Richard group's East Asian novel. It's dark but great. And 1979 China is all new to me; I knew nothing prior to reading this. "

" One of the most beautiful and heart-breaking novels I've ever read. If you liked "The Wild Swans," or other books that cover life in China under Mao, give it a try. "

" Wonderful! This is a must read! "