Half of Man Is Woman

by Zhang Xianliang

Book Overview

As the Cultural Revolution rages, Zhang falls in love with a peasant woman jailed for promiscuity. After becoming separated for years, they unite, but Zhang has been made impotent, half a man, which eventually destroys their relationship."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393025861
• ISBN13: 9780393025866
• Release Date: January 1988
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 285 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A traumatic confession

This more or less autobiographical novel excels by its emotional depth.It shows us the 'human' side of re-education camps and state firms.The main character is an intellectual democrat, who sees and knows that the Chinese common man has been terrorized, deceived and used as guinea pigs by the powerful. They were / are the (dead or alive) victims of the power struggle at the top of the Communist Party with all its expulsions and rehabilitations. As the author states coldly: 'The Cultural Revolution established a new world record of criminals'.When the inmates of the camps hear about another round of liquidations, they are happy that they already know their own punishment (at that moment, their work camp is a paradise).This book is also an impressive tale about the battle of the sexes with candid treatment of sexual and marital problems.The author is a master in the description of emotional scenes, sometimes as a violent participant and at times as a cold observer. But he always finds the passionate human touch.The dream scenes are equally impressive, while the use of humanized animals is highly original.This novel is not less than a masterpiece. Not to be missed.