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Nine Continents
- A Memoir In and Out of China
- Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
- Length: 11 hrs and 53 mins
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Nine Continents
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Summary
Xiaolu Guo has traveled further than most to become who she needed to be. Now, as she experiences the birth of her daughter in a London maternity ward surrounded by women from all over the world, she looks back on that journey. It begins in the fishing village shack on the East China Sea where her illiterate grandparents raised her, and brings her to a rapidly changing Beijing, full of contradictions: a thriving underground art scene amid mass censorship, curious Westerners who held out affection only to disappear back home. Eventually Xiaolu determined to see the world beyond China for herself, and now, after 15 years in Europe, her words resonate with the insight of someone both an outsider and at home, in a world far beyond the country of her birth.
Nine Continents presents a fascinating portrait of China in the 80s and 90s, how the Cultural Revolution shaped families, and how the country's economic ambitions gave rise to great change. It is also a moving testament to the birth of a creative spirit, and of a new generation being raised to become citizens of the world. It confirms Xiaolu Guo as one of world literature's most urgent voices.
What listeners say about Nine Continents
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- K. English
- 29-05-18
An interesting insight into the life of the author
It took me a while to get into this, but once I did I really enjoyed it. I have enjoyed all of the books this author has written and it was interesting to see what stage in her life she was at when she wrote them.
I’ve seen this book labelled as ‘the new Wild Swans’ which I think is an unfair, and lazy, likeness. The books are completely different in both style and content and Nine Continents deserves praise on its own accord. Xiaolu’s book begins with the narrative of her 5 year old self and the ensuing narrative is really unique to Xiaolu’s writing style. I love the way she describes things in such a blunt way and I also loved the references to Classical Chinese stories.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dianella
- 04-12-23
Many worlds of one’s own
I’m a middle-aged Italian reader. I lived in London and Beijing when I was a student and have had a fascination for China and cultural diversity all my life. Xiaolu’s pages resounded greatly in me.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Goda Rudyte
- 26-05-19
Great
The most entertaining autobiography I have ever read/listened to, heart wrenching at times, really grips from beginning to end. Loved the unique (to me) view of the western world as well as an interesting retelling on the life in China that I was otherwise unfamiliar with. The narration was very good too I thought, seemed to really fit the book.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Robert Whie
- 15-04-22
Excellent Read
Facinating ,Heartbreaking and what an interesting life .
I expected to read some sad moments in Xialu's life but this girl just couldn't get a break.
I had to keep reminding myself that this story is fairly recent and how lucky I have been in my life.
This book also gives a glimpse in to some the history of China and the culture of the common man.
And one girls struggle to break free of tradition.
It leaves us on a positive note and I hope that Xialu has found some happiness.
Well worth a read , I'm sure you wont be dissapointed. Highly recommended.
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